From left: President Jioje Konrote, acting first secretary for the Indian High Commissioner to Fiji JJ Varma and Jotame Naqeletia view some of the Girmitiya photos on display during the Girmit Day celebrations
EVERY Fijian, regardless of their background, gender or age, must rise above the issue of ethnicity and religion and embrace one another for a better Fiji.
The President of Fiji, Jioje Konrote, made these comments at the 137th Girmit Day celebrations at Syria Park in Nausori.
Mr Konrote said Fiji must move forward as one and learn from the challenges faced by its forefathers.
"The celebration today (yesterday) has brought all of us together to honour the lives of these great individuals who came in as indentured labourers but have over the years contributed immensely to the socio-cultural and economic development of our great nation," Mr Konrote said.
"Their effort is a beacon of hope for us all to continue to strive forward together as one nation and one people amidst challenges and adversities, for there is always light at the end of the tunnel.
"Some of the challenges of the journeys in this life will test our patience and endurance beyond our limits and it is only then, that we realise we have the potential to push beyond our normal boundaries."
He added that the government was working to remove barriers to unity in the nation, and encouraged the younger generation to acknowledge their history.
"We need to understand the history behind us to allow us to ponder and wisely choose the pathways we need to follow to improve our lives as we journey together into the future.
"The original forms of our history need to be revitalised to ensure that we safeguard our common identity and its significance."
The President of Fiji, Jioje Konrote, made these comments at the 137th Girmit Day celebrations at Syria Park in Nausori.
Mr Konrote said Fiji must move forward as one and learn from the challenges faced by its forefathers.
"The celebration today (yesterday) has brought all of us together to honour the lives of these great individuals who came in as indentured labourers but have over the years contributed immensely to the socio-cultural and economic development of our great nation," Mr Konrote said.
"Their effort is a beacon of hope for us all to continue to strive forward together as one nation and one people amidst challenges and adversities, for there is always light at the end of the tunnel.
"Some of the challenges of the journeys in this life will test our patience and endurance beyond our limits and it is only then, that we realise we have the potential to push beyond our normal boundaries."
He added that the government was working to remove barriers to unity in the nation, and encouraged the younger generation to acknowledge their history.
"We need to understand the history behind us to allow us to ponder and wisely choose the pathways we need to follow to improve our lives as we journey together into the future.
"The original forms of our history need to be revitalised to ensure that we safeguard our common identity and its significance."
