Students from Nadi attended the Girmit Centennial Celebration at Prince Charles Park yesterday.

The celebration started off with a march from the old temple site and came through the Main Street and ended at the park.

The march included a float model depicting the SS Sutlej, the ship that carried the last lot of indentured labourers from India to Fiji in 1916.

Students were dressed up in Girmitiya costumes and joined in the celebration.

Nadi Muslim Primary School head teacher Sharina Riyaz said it was a good idea to involve the students in to this celebration.

‘As we all know the story and the history of the Girmitiyas and bringing the students to participate in the event will help the children understand what the indentured labourers went through. Our Year Six, Seven and Eight participated in today’s event,” Ms Riyaz said.

“The children were excited as it is part of the curriculum.

“The kids did a tremendous job in designing the banners and also to dress up as labourers and also use some artefacts that were used during those days, it was amazing.

“We are happy and like to thank the organisers for this event and remembering our fore fathers.”

Nadi Primary School teacher Kamlesh Sharma said; the students were excited to be part of this celebration and they all came in full force.

“We had provided items to be presented to our chief guest and our parents,” Mr Sharma said.

“We prepared well for this celebration, the students performed a fog dance played in those days and songs.”

Edited by Rusiate Mataika

Feedback: paulini.ratulailai@fijisun.com.fj