Indo-Fijian wants Britishers to apologise for atrocities

Describing the Girmit era in Fiji as a "horrific period of history", a third generation Indo-Fijian, originally hailing from Uttar Pradesh, wants the Britishers to apologise for the atrocities committed during the colonial rule on indentured labour.

Giving a overview of his book Tears in Paradise, released by Union Minister of State for External Affairs Inderjit Singh at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas on the concluding day, Rajendra Prasad, a poet and lyricist said the CBR company, facilitated by the colonial government had expressed remorse for the excesses.

• Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2006

Seven years of research helped him reconstruct the trials and tribulations undergone by the Girmits, said Prasad who has now immigrated to New Zealand.

"The soil of Fiji, where my grandparents and great grandparents lived, is soaked in their tears," Mr Prasad said. He is also a columnist for New Zealand Herald and Fiji Sun.