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Indian Minister asks Indo-Fijians to promote Hindi and Sanskrit

Tribute to Girmityas 139th Anniversary

Lautoka, Fiji, May 13, 2018

A visiting Indian Minister has said that the descants of Girmityas have played an inte­gral part in the development of Fiji over the years and that they must preserve and promote their identity through Sanskrit and Hindi.

Minister of State for Human Resource De­velopment and Minister of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Satya Pal Singh praised Fijians of Indian origin in Fiji during his visit to the Girmit Centre in Lautoka on February 23, 2018.

He was in Fiji to attend the 20th Conference of Commonwealth Edu­cation Ministers.

Traditional Values important

Mr Singh said that par­ents should teach their children traditional values of India to keep them alive and promote them.

“It is about our ancestors, the various difficulties that they went through in their lives and through them all they still made Fiji their home. The specialties that they brought with them and what they have done for Fiji has helped the country grow,” he said.

Connection through Hindi

Mr Singh said that it was good to see that the Hindi lan­guage has connected everyone in Fiji.

“The important part is our cul­ture, religion, and our beliefs. These need to be preserved. Teach your children about our culture and traditional values. What our children learn in schools like rhymes, stories and poems have been of the Western World that are not related to Sanskrit,” Mr Singh said.

He said that to keep Sanskrit alive, parents should teach their children Hindi.

Naming Children

“The naming of a child is also important. So, do not give any type of name, all names should have a meaning and linked to our reli­gion,” he said.

Girmit Centre Secretary Selwa Nanadan said it was a timely visit and members were grateful that the Minster took the opportunity to do­nate books for students to en­hance their knowledge about India.

“We have had a historical link with the Government of India and it has played a pivotal role in the development of Fiji over the years. Mr Singh has elaborated on how we need to safeguard our identity and values. We have made some submissions of the financial status of our Centre so we are seek­ing their help as well,” Mr Nandan said.

The above Report and Picture, which appeared in the Fiji Sun, has been published by Indian Newslink under a Special Agreement with the publication.

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Photo Caption:

Indian Minister Satya Pal Singh with the Members of the Girmit Centre in Lautoka, Fiji, on February 23, 2018. (Photo for Fiji Sun by Karalaini Tavi)

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Special Programme in Homage to Girmityas of Fiji

Monday, May 14, 2018 from 7 pm to 9 pm

Ram Mandir Temple Complex

11 Brick Street, Henderson

Auckland 0610

Phone: (09) 836 4647

Contact: Mahendra Sharma

Mobile: 027-6613242

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