Rohitashwani’s scientific contributions

The term “Girmitiya Literature” refers to the writings created by the descendants of the Girmitiyas. During the postcolonial era, the British government suffered, while third-world countries gained from their toil, friendliness, and natural surroundings as they migrated towards the centre. Authors such as V.S. Naipaul, Satyendra Nandan, M.G. Vassanji, Vijay Mishra, Sudesh Mishra, K.S. Manian, and others used their writing as a way to communicate their suffering. These Girmitiyas gradually gained access to the administration due to their loyalty and honesty. The purpose of this chapter is to describe the creation and growth of Girmitiya literature, as well as its unique characteristics and influences on modern literature and daily life. Fiji had public events, speeches, marches, and publications to mark the century of indenture. The impulse for critical and creative response accelerated along with the deluge of publications brought on by the end of colonial rule in various Pacific Island countries. The nation of Fiji experienced political unrest during this time of growing agency and autonomy as concerns about the country’s identity and course were voiced. The pain of indenture, which many Indo-Fijians gave legendary significance and which may be seen as serving as an origin narrative for Indo-Fijians, served as a vehicle for many of these authors to express their sense of rootedness in Fiji. The indenture system, or girmit, was seen by Vijay Mishra as the fundamental ideology of Indo-Fijian writers. However, by interpreting girmit in terms of false awareness, he is able to interpret Indo-Fijian worries in terms of political blindness and cultural isolation. Instead, this chapter argues that Marianne Hirsh’s research on postmemory can help us understand girmit in a useful way. Vijay Mishra later revised girmit ideology as being based on memories of betrayal, building on Sudesh Mishra’s earlier definition of girmit as nonagreement. This chapter suggests that the pains of girmit that plague literature from the century act as postmemories by examining works from the era, especially Subramani’s short tales. The study also makes an effort to evaluate the writings of many Indo-Fijians who have immortalised their forefathers’ valiant acts in the literature. In their writings, authors such as Vijay Mishra, Satendra Nandan, Sudesh Mishra, and Subramani have skilfully portrayed these Girmitiyas as heroes of Fiji, having witnessed their struggle and suffering through the eyes of their forefathers.