Saga of Struggle, Valor and Victory Remembered at this Year’s ‘Girmitiya Mahotsav’
New Delhi: The descendants of indentured Indian laborers (Girmitiyas) today hold positions of power and responsibility as Prime Ministers, Presidents, Ministers and leaders across many countries. Once taken as bonded laborers to Mauritius, Fiji, Guyana, Trinidad, South Africa and beyond during the colonial era, these Indian-origin communities now stand as proud symbols of resilience and success. This is the living testimony of India’s eternal cultural vitality and the glorious saga of the Girmitiya society.
These words were delivered by BJP National Spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Shri Sudhanshu Trivedi at the 6th Girmitiya Mahotsav 2025, held at Maharaja Agrasen College Auditorium, Delhi. He emphasized the need to further strengthen cultural relations between India and Girmitiya nations.
Welcoming representatives from various countries, Dr. Sanjeev Tiwari, Principal of Maharaja Agrasen College, said that the story of this struggle and valor must be passed on to the younger generation. South Africa’s High Commissioner Shri Anil Suklal stressed the importance of preserving this shared heritage. Former Mauritius Minister and Ambassador Shri Mukeshwar Chunni, tracing his ancestry to Bihar’s Arrah district, recalled stories passed down from his forefathers, moving the audience deeply.
Bihar Legislative Council Member and BJP National Media Co-incharge Shri Sanjay Mayukh, speaking in Bhojpuri, said that the event is not just a festival but a sentiment of millions of Indians, a remarkable example of Girmitiya people’s affection for India. He also suggested that future editions of this Mahotsav should be held in Bihar, since most Girmitiyas hailed from there and their descendants still proudly identify themselves as Biharis.
Foundation Patron and BJP Spokesperson Dr. Dhananjay Giri highlighted the journey of the Girmitiya people—from laborers to owners—as a saga of pain transformed into pride and prosperity. “Girmitiyas and Indians are one—their history, emotions, civilization and culture are the same,” he said.
Ajit Dubey, President of Bhojpuri Samaj Delhi and former Vice-Chairman of the Maithili-Bhojpuri Academy, lamented that successive Indian governments have not yet granted constitutional recognition to the Bhojpuri language, despite its global reach and official recognition in Mauritius.
Chairperson of the Girmitiya Foundation, Mrs. Swati, shed light on the Foundation’s ongoing work and future plans. Among the distinguished attendees were Shri Keshav Tiwari from the Guyana High Commission, Shri Arun Hardeen from Suriname, Shri Pradeep Ramlal from South Africa, and former Vice-Chairman of Hindi Academy Delhi, Shri Vimlesh Kanti Verma.
The cultural segment featured performances by folk singer Kalpana Patowary, Vijaylakshmi Upadhyay, and Anjali Shivay. Eminent personalities like former Additional DG of Tourism Sanjay Srivats and former Doordarshan Patna Director Dr. Ratna Purkayastha graced the occasion. Poets Vinay Vinamra, Devkant Pandey, Dr. Devendra Nath Tiwari, Dr. Rajesh Kumar Manjhi, and Munna Pathak captivated the audience with their verses.
A vibrant presence of youth gave the Mahotsav added energy and meaning. In his vote of thanks, Girmitiya Foundation President Shri Dilip Giri shared how the Foundation has been reconnecting Girmitiya families worldwide with their ancestral villages in India—having already helped around 200 families trace their roots. He described the Mahotsav as a true tribute to the Girmitiya forefathers.
The event was marked by the participation of dozens of country delegates, professors, scholars, researchers, students, politicians, and cultural figures, making the Girmitiya Mahotsav 2025 a grand success.