Wishing the Indian neighborhood in Fiji on Diwali, Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama stated that this 12 months’s celebration is particular because the world has received over the Covid pandemic.

“I thank God we dwell in a rustic the place we will so overtly share within the celebrations of all our fellow Fijians… Fijians of all backgrounds have been draped in vibrant sarees, salwar kameez and kurtas and workplaces have been embellished,” Bainimarama stated in a video message posted on Twitter.

On the eve of Diwali, I thank God we dwell in a rustic the place we will so overtly share within the celebrations of all our fellow Fijians. Whether or not you propose to rejoice within the consolation of a fantastically lit dwelling, at work, or out with family and friends, I want you all a really Completely satisfied Diwali! pic.twitter.com/ZeFsXpM0UA

— Frank Bainimarama (@FijiPM) October 24, 2022

A major variety of Fiji-Indians rejoice Ramlila and Diwali with conventional rituals, and they’re a part of the principle occasions held on the islands.

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Like their Indian counterparts, individuals of Fiji rejoice Diwali with elaborate lighting and candle decorations. It is usually a nationwide vacation within the nation.

“This Diwali is particular as a result of we rejoice with the reassurance that our resilience has prevailed over the pandemic and with the happiness that our restoration is right here. Mild has received over darkness. Good has received over evil.”

Diwali in Fiji is a five-day competition, beginning with Dhanteras, then Hanuman Jayanti and Narak Chaturdashi, adopted by Diwali, after which Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj celebrations.

Indians make round 38 per cent of Fiji’s inhabitants and as of 2021, roughly 3.20 lakh Indians dwell within the South Pacific nation, in accordance with the Union Ministry of Exterior Affairs.

They’ve principally descended from ‘Girmitiyas’, or indentured labourers, delivered to the islands by British colonial rulers between 1879 and 1916 to work on Fiji’s sugar plantations.

The overwhelming majority of Indo-Fijians hint their origins to Bihar and South India.