The Fijian government is still considering the proposals made by Fiji Girmit Foundation New Zealand to have a public holiday on Girmit Day and to include the history of Girmit in the school curriculum.
The foundation members today met with Foreign Affairs Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola on these issues.
Ratu Inoke has confirmed to Fijivillage that he has raised the issues with the relevant ministers.
Foundation Secretary Thakur Ranjit Singh says they are happy with the response from government.
Meanwhile, Singh also says that the foundation members have arrived in the country to present the thanksgiving plaque, sevusevu and tabua to the villagers and chiefs of Nasilai tomorrow.
He adds the ancestors of these villagers provided valuable assistance in the rescue operations which helped in saving 438 lives after the sinking of ship Syria on the Nasilai reef on May 11th 1884.
59 Girmitiyas lost their lives.
The Foundation believes without valuable and timely help and the traditional i-Taukei culture and compassion, the loss of lives would have been much higher.
He adds unfortunately, Fijian history has not resonated with such acts of compassion and sacrifice where our two communities stood by for each other.
He also says there is an enormous reservoir of love, affection and goodwill between the two races which needs to be revealed and cherished.
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