At 101 years old, Deogi Nair remains active, sharp-minded, and happiest in the company of her grandchildren — a living link to Fiji’s Girmit past as the nation marks the 134th anniversary of the arrival of indentured labourers from India.

Born on May 14, 1912, Mrs Nair’s life story is deeply intertwined with the history of Girmit. Her parents, Vellu and Amalu Nair, were indentured labourers from Madras in South India who came to Fiji under the indenture system. She was born in Naitonitoni, Navua, at a time when life was simple, demanding, and shaped by resilience.

Now a great-great-grandmother, Mrs Nair hopes to pass down the stories told to her by her parents — stories of hardship, survival, and community — to future generations.

Speaking to The Fiji Times, Mrs Nair recalled that she was just 16 years old when she married Chingovinda, who was significantly older than her. Like many girls of her time, she never attended school.

“There was no school then,” she said. “I don’t know how to read or write.”

She described her early married life as peaceful, recalling that they lived close to the sea and that people treated each other kindly. Yet life was not without hardship.

“There were many cyclones and floods,” she said. “I still remember the tsunami that hit Fiji in the early 1950s.”

Mrs Nair lost her mother when she was about 19 or 20 years old, followed by her father a few years later. Her husband passed away in 1973, leaving her to raise their seven daughters on her own.

Reflecting on her long life — and the significance of sharing her birthday with Girmit Day — Mrs Nair expressed gratitude.

“It’s all through the grace of God,” she said. “I thank Him for my long life. I’m very happy that I was born on the day when the first group of indentured labourers came to Fiji from India.”

Despite her age, Mrs Nair enjoys good health. She underwent cataract surgery several years ago and today has clear eyesight and good hearing. She has no major medical conditions and still enjoys afternoon walks around her neighbourhood.

“I eat whatever is cooked at home,” she said with a smile. “There is no restriction on my sugar or salt, and I like tea with milk a lot.”

During the interview, Mrs Nair casually rolled suki — traditional Fijian tobacco — a habit she picked up in her youth.

“I started smoking suki before I got married,” she laughed. “I never drank yaqona or alcohol and never smoked cigarettes. Only suki.”

She recalled hiding the habit from her parents and later being upfront with her husband.

“When I got married, I told my husband that I smoked suki and that I wouldn’t leave it. He could do whatever he wanted,” she said, laughing again.

Her grandson, Rakesh Kissun, said the family would mark her birthday with a small celebration.

“She’s turning 101, and it’s truly her right age,” he said. “My eldest aunt is nearly 85.”

Mrs Nair’s legacy is vast — seven daughters, 21 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren, all alive.

As Fiji reflects on its Girmit history, Mrs Nair offered a simple message for future generations:

“The only thing I want to tell people is to love one another and be good to one another,” she said. “That’s the only way to a lovely future.”

Sangam Member Recalls Girmit Legacy at 101