THE contributions and services of several prominent girmitiya (indentured labourers) descendants were recognised during the Girmit Day celebrations at the University of Fiji last week.
These included Walliamma Swamy, national president of the Maathar Sangam and former national vice-president of the Fiji Teachers Union’s Women’s Wing.
Her father, Narsimulu Reddy, arrived in Fiji from Andhra Pradesh aged 19 and served his labour contract in Lautoka.
Also awarded for her services to education was Urmila Arya, whose grandparents Bhima Singh and Mahadei, hailed from Port Harauni Nanmou in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
The first woman to be elected as an executive member to the Fiji Teacher’s Union, Ms Arya was also national president of the women’s wing.
“The university and organising committee, having considered the value of this initiative and agreed to make this an annual event to mark the girmit divas celebrations,” she said.
Also recognised for his contribution was Professor Rajat Gyaneshwar, Fiji National University’s acting dean of the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.
Dr Gyaneshwar, who also oversees the Viseisei Sai Health Centre, was commended for his medical services to the rural community.
His grandparents, Badri Maharaj Bamola and Sakina, were from Bamoli and Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh, India.
