Fiji Girmit foundation’s oratory competition winners felicitated

The Fiji Girmit Foundation NZ hosted the prize-giving ceremony on Sunday, July 26, of its online children Girmit oratory competition held during Covid-19 lockdown earlier this year.

The year’s Girmit remembrance anniversary could not be held due to lockdown in place, but one significant part of the programme was possible to be conducted online.

The topic for the oratory competition was “Significance of Girmit history to today’s youth”.

The participants had to make a 90 second - 2 minutes video on the subject to be delivered to the association online.

All participants received certificates and prizes and will be featuring in a YouTube production.

“Our main aim of this competition, albeit online, was to ensure students have a moment to reflect on the significance of Girmit history, research and learn a bit about it and have a conversation with their parents/grandparents about it.

“In doing so, we also hope the kids/youth become more confident and competent in using digital technology. It was overwhelming to see young kids as little as four years old showing courage to participate,” a spokesperson from the Foundation said.

The winners in order for 12 and under category are:

8^th: Rishyla Rajendra $40 cash plus certificate

7^th: Yuvaan – Girmit History book signed by Rajendra Prasad (Enslaved in Paradise) plus certificate

6^th: Riyanka Kumar – Girmit history book signed by Rajendra Prasad (Enslaved in Paradise) plus certificate

5^th: Kishan Kumar $50 cash plus certificate

4^th: Riyanshi Kumar -$ 60 cash plus certificate

3^rd: Oviyan Sharma -$70 cash plus certificate

2^nd: Ridith Kumar - $80 cash plus certificate

1^st: Shaarav Lal - $100 cash plus certificate

The winners for 13 and over category were:

5^th: Ayman Shah – Signed Girmit history book by Rajendra Prasad (Tears in Paradise)

4^th: Aryan Shah - $50 cash and certificate

3^rd: Krysha Naicker - $70 cash and certificate

2^nd: Nidhi Chetty  - $80 cash plus certificate

1^st: Koshikdeep Kumar - $100 cash plus certificate

“We were fortunate to receive sponsorships from the business houses despite the current Covid situation and I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Papatoetoe High School and Mr Saten Sharma from Waitakere Hindi School in hosting the prize giving, and chief judge Roneil Dutt for his efforts in judging,” the spokesperson said.