FIJI GIRMIT FOUNDATION AUSTRALIA GLOBAL GIRMIT LEGACY AWARDS 2025

Message from the Host – Deo Family Charitable Foundation

NAMASTE, Ramram, Namaskaram, Salam Walekum, Bula and hello to all, Today, we gather to honour and remember the sacrifices and hardships of our ancestors, the Girmitiyas, who paved the way for our better lives. Girmit Remembrance Day serves as a reminder of their resilience and courage.

Fiji Girmit, also known as the Indian indenture system, refers to the recruitment of Indian labourers to work on sugar plantations in Fiji during the colonial era. From 1879 to 1916, around 60,000 Indians were brought to Fiji as indentured labourers, primarily from the Indian states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

The term “Girmit” is derived from the word “agreement,” as Indian labourers were required to sign a contract, known as the Girmit before they could be brought to Fiji.
The Girmit system was similar to slavery in many ways, as labourers were forced to work long hours in harsh conditions with minimal pay. They were also subject to physical abuse and often had their rights violated.

Despite these challenges, the Indian community in Fiji managed to maintain their culture and traditions, including their religion, language, and cuisine. They also formed close-knit communities and developed their own social structures and institutions.

The Deo Family Charitable Foundation, a non-profit charitable organisation, hosts two significant events annually in Brisbane: Girmit Remembrance Day and Fiji Day Celebrations. These events unite people in our diaspora and promote cultural and artistic activities that help us connect with our roots. The foundation believes culture and arts are essential to a healthy and vibrant society. Therefore, one of its primary objectives is to support cultural activities that help maintain our heritage and promote community development initiatives.

Through these initiatives, the Deo Family Charitable Foundation aims to make a positive difference in the lives of people in Queensland, empowering individuals and communities to achieve their full potential and lead fulfilling lives. To contact the Deo Family Charitable Foundation, you can email [email protected] or call 07 3273 3029.

You can also make a donation to support their work by depositing funds into the DEO FAMILY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION LTD account at ANZ BANKING GROUP (BSB 014 286, ACCOUNT NO 3232 46 849).

The foundation is registered as a charity with the Australian Charities and Not-forprofits Commission (ACNC).

Please visit the websites – www.deofamilycharitablefoundation.org and
www.fijigirmitfoundationaustralia.org

Message from the Judges – Chairperson Parma Nand

IT gives me immense pride and heartfelt gratitude to pen this message for the annual presentation of the Global Girmit Legacy Awards, held as part of the Fiji Girmit Remembrance Day. This initiative, a noble incentive of the Deo Family Charitable Foundation, honours a deeply rooted history—the Girmit legacy—of strength, sacrifice, and service.

The Fiji Girmit era marks a pivotal chapter in our shared history, when Indian indentured laborers were brought by the British to toil in the sugarcane fields of Fiji.
From those early days of hardship emerged a resilient community that contributed significantly to the development of Fiji and later, Australia. This award serves as a beacon of that legacy, recognizing individuals who, now in their 80s, have dedicated a lifetime to serving others both in Fiji and in their adopted homelands around the world, and in our case in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

The selection process for this year’s recipients has once again been a rigorous and thoughtful undertaking. I commend and thank the Judging Panel for their diligence, impartiality, and commitment in reviewing the nominations. Their work has ensured that the individuals chosen represent a true cross-section of our diverse community —each one a living testament to leadership, humility, and enduring public and community service.
As a new initiative, the Judging Panel is pleased to announce the compilation of an annual Global Girmit Legacy Awardees booklet—integrating honouree profiles from previous and future years—into an expanded print and digital edition that will be archived in historical libraries globally, ensuring a lasting record of service and legacy.

We extend our deepest appreciation to the Deo Family Charitable Foundation, whose continued support and vision have made this legacy award not only possible but sustainable. Their commitment to honouring our elders and preserving the Girmit heritage stands as a powerful example of how foundations can shape memory, recognition, and respect within our communities.

This year, as we gather to celebrate Global Girmit Legacy Award and recognize the contributions of these exemplary individuals, let us remember that the true measure of a community lies in how it honours its past and uplifts its torchbearers. May the legacy of the Fiji Girmitiyas and those who followed in their footsteps continue to inspire generations to come.

With warm regards,
Parma Nand JP (Qual), Chairperson Judges Panel, Marriage Celebrant, Member AFCC

GLIMPSE FIJI GIRMIT FOUNDATION AUSTRALIA 2025

Panel Of Judges

• Retired QLD Gov. public servant with 27 years of service.

• Former Federal Gov. Environment Consultant on Environmental Matters for Norfolk Island.
• Commonwealth Registered Marriage Celebrant since 2003
• Qualified Radio Broadcaster

• Ex-President of the Nausori Apex Club and Town Councillor, Deputy
• Mayor, and Ex-Chamber of Commerce President of Nausori.
• In Qld, he has been a member for the Humanitarian Aid & Relief Fund
• Past Secretary of the Islamic Society of Qld Inc. and Event Coordinator for Eid Mela Carnival.

• Retired Director of Health Services Lautoka City Council, performing duties
• such as quarantine officer, building inspector, and food inspector
• Attended seminars in Singapore, Japan, Washington DC, and India
• Volunteered for community services in Fiji and Australia. Served as
• Secretary for Girmit Council for 7 years

• Contracts specialist by profession, currently working full-time in the
• Waste and Resource Recovery Industry in a local council.
• Pursued research on the arrival of the Indians in Fiji and established the Girmit.org website in 2006. Her research focussed on the 60K+ Girmitiya who arrived in Fiji during the Indenture period.

• Pt. Suresh Chandra is a Justice of Peace, Hindu Priest, and active
• community leader through Sanatan Dharam Qld and Ramayan Mandalis.
• He has served the Hindu community with dedication, upholding values of devotion and integrity.
• He also runs a professional driving school, helping learners with patience and care.

Author: Australian Indian Times