There are moments in life when certain callings become impossible to ignore. Creating this website was one such calling – something that had remained on my mind for a long time. Like many of you, I have felt a deep curiosity and emotional pull to better understand the Girmit Era – a complex and powerful chapter in our shared history. This platform is a humble tribute to the Girmitiyas, whose resilience and strength continue to inspire, and whose stories deserve to be remembered and honoured.
The journey to bring this website to life began in 2006. It was built from the ground up, guided by a simple goal: to create a meaningful and accessible resource that could offer insight into the lives, hopes, and hardships of the Girmitiyas. While it required considerable time, energy, and personal investment, it was a labour of love – driven by passion, not profit. The decision to remain independent of commercial interests ensured the site’s content stayed true to its purpose.
Developing a platform like this has required technical skills and a deep emotional commitment to its stories. From research and content development to ongoing collaboration with generous contributors, the people who believed in the vision and shared their knowledge have enriched every part of this journey. I remain deeply grateful for the feedback, encouragement, and generosity extended along the way.
I would especially like to acknowledge a few individuals whose support was instrumental:
- Satish Rai, for his unwavering support and gracious permission to share his insightful articles.
- Thakur Ranjit Singh, whose passion and powerful words have breathed life into this history, reigniting understanding where it had begun to fade.
- Dr Kamlesh Sharma, for his generous sponsorship that enabled Girmit.org to remain online for another year (2009–2010).
- And the late Dr Brij Lal, whose research and writings were shared freely and generously, and whose legacy continues to educate and inspire.
To these gentlemen, I am genuinely grateful.
I would also like to thank the National Library of Australia for digitalising the Girmitiya immigration passes and recognising www.girmit.org as an accredited research website. This great honour supports the site’s ongoing relevance.
Finally, to those who have reached out over the years through kind emails and words of encouragement, your messages have been a source of strength and affirmation. Please continue to share your thoughts; they mean more than you may know.
Thank you.