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 [Images].

"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.