The Indo-Fijian community must now seriously start thinking about their social, economic and political future due to the rapidly changing demographic.
That is the message from National Federation Party leader Professor Biman Prasad on the 141st anniversary of the arrival of the first Girmitya to Fiji.
Professor Prasad says while the struggles of the Girmitiya for political rights and justice have been somewhat accomplished, the current generation also has to evaluate the future relevance of the type of politics they subscribed to over the last two decades.
He says this year also marks the 100th anniversary of the official end of the Indenture System and the cancellation of all indenture contracts.
Professor Prasad says the foundations of racial harmony, unity, and understanding in what rapidly evolved into a multi-ethnic nation was laid by the Girmitiya.
He says this foundation has been rocked four times in our nation’s history in the last 33 years due to political upheavals due to overthrow of democracy and constitutional rule but so far has stood the test of time.
The NFP leader says already the sugar industry, for which the Girmitiya was brought to Fiji to make this industry into the backbone of the economy, is struggling for survival.
He says this is not because of the failure of cane growers but of the decision-makers.
