A three-day carnival organized by the Labasa Town Council to commemorate the 143rd Girmit Day began at Subrail Park in Labasa on Thursday.

The official opening was done by Commissioner Northern Uraia Rainima.

“As head of the civil service in the Northern Division I stand proud to share with you our achievements as a division and I join you at the forefront of this celebration,” Mr Rainima said.

From left: Rastika Narayan with her father Pranil Narayan, uncle Yeswan Sharma and brother Pranit Narayan during the opening of three days carnival to mark the 143rd Girmit Day at Subrail Park in Labasa on May 12, 2022. Photo: Shratika Naidu

“The Northern Division has been blessed not only with the spirit of camaraderie, but with economic progress that has sustained us as a division.”

He said the legacy of Girmitiyans lived on and they had witnessed it first hand in its grasp over the central business district, schools, communities and settlements everywhere.

“The 2013 Constitution paved the way for every Fijian citizen to be called Fijian,” he added.

“We are indeed thankful to the Government for this huge hallmark in recognising the immense contributions that Girmityans have in the making a modern Fiji.”

He said for the struggles to be recognised and be heard today, we had to stand together as Fijians irrespective of colour, blood or creed.

Meanwhile, the Labasa and Savusavu Town Council special administrator Ami Kohli said that on Saturday around midday a float procession would be conducted from the Labasa River to Subrail Park.

Siberia, Labasa resident Pranil Narayan, was selling candy floss at the park making use of the festivities with members of his family.

“I’m so happy to be part of a carnival after two years of the coronavirus pandemic which brought a lot of public restrictions,” he said.