A special evening of remembrance and recognition is set to take place at Glenwood Community Hub on 31 May 2025, marking the 146th anniversary of Girmit Diwas and Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna Day. Organised by the Indian Diaspora Council of Australia (IDCA), the event will commemorate the arrival of the first Indian indentured labourers—known as Girmitiyas—to Fiji in 1879.
The commemoration, which begins with a meet-and-greet at 5 PM, followed by a formal program and dinner, will highlight the enduring impact of the Indo-Fijian community, their struggles, resilience, and cultural contributions, both in Fiji and globally.
Dr S. Janakiraman, Consul General of India, will attend as guest of honour. The Fijian High Commissioner, Mr Ajay Amrit, will be represented by his deputy. Several federal and state MPs, councillors, and community leaders from both Australia and Fiji are expected to be present.
The cultural program includes performances, speeches, and tributes to Indo-Fijian heritage. A key feature of the evening will be the Girmit Ratna Award, which recognises outstanding service and contribution to the community. Another highlight will be the segment on Celebrating Excellence in Hindi Language Education, where top-performing HSC Hindi students from NSW (Class of 2024) will be honoured.
Organisers are encouraging the wider community to attend and support the occasion. “This is an opportunity to reflect on the history of the Girmitiyas and celebrate the legacy they have left behind,” said Pt Pramodh Rai, President of IDCA. “Their journey was one of hardship and sacrifice, and we owe it to them to ensure their stories are told and remembered.”
The evening is open to all and free to attend. Guests are requested to RSVP or register via Eventbrite by 15 May to assist with catering arrangements.
The event will be held at Marigold Hall, 72 Glenwood Park Drive, Glenwood. Dinner will be served following the formal proceedings.
For those seeking to learn more or attend, further information is available via the official Eventbrite listing.
Support independent community journalism. Support The Indian Sun.
Follow The Indian Sun on X | Instagram | Facebook
🌺 IDCA hosts #GirmitDiwas commemoration on 31 May in Glenwood. 🎭 Cultural performances & Girmit Ratna Awards honour Indo-Fijian heritage. 🎓 Top HSC Hindi students to be recognised. 🍽️ Free event, RSVP by 15 May. #TheIndianSun @janaifs
🔗 https://t.co/dQAFuR6sGY pic.twitter.com/nTGsNdCbNz
— The Indian Sun (@The_Indian_Sun) May 18, 2025
Donate To The Indian Sun
Dear Reader,The Indian Sun is an independent organisation committed to community journalism. We have, through the years, been able to reach a wide audience especially with the growth of social media, where we also have a strong presence. With platforms such as YouTube videos, we have been able to engage in different forms of storytelling. However, the past few years, like many media organisations around the world, it has not been an easy path. We have a greater challenge. We believe community journalism is very important for a multicultural country like Australia. We’re not able to do everything, but we aim for some of the most interesting stories and journalism of quality. We call upon readers like you to support us and make any contribution. Do make a DONATION NOW so we can continue with the volume and quality journalism that we are able to practice.
Thank you for your support.
Best wishes,
Team The Indian Sun
