Brisbane remembers Indian indentured labourers at Girmit Diwas 2025

Brisbane, May 14 (Australia India News Newsdesk)

The Consulate General of India, Brisbane, in collaboration with GOPIO Queensland Inc., hosted Girmit Diwas 2025 at the Queensland Vedic Cultural Centre on May 14 to honour the memory of the first Indians who arrived in the Fiji Islands as indentured labourers.

The solemn commemorative service paid tribute to the courage, endurance, and cultural legacy of the ‘Girmitiyas’—a term derived from the word “agreement” used to describe the indenture contracts under which Indian labourers were taken to work on sugarcane plantations in Fiji between 1879 and 1916.

The event featured keynote addresses from community leaders, dignitaries, and representatives of the Indian diaspora. A special wreath-laying ceremony was held in memory of those who endured the hardships of the indenture system. A powerful video presentation highlighted the historical context and emotional journey of the Girmit generation. The event brought together families, scholars, and youth, many of whom are descendants of the Girmitiyas, ensuring that the stories of resilience, sacrifice, and cultural survival are passed on to future generations.