Between 1879 and 1916, tens of thousands of Indians moved to Fiji to work as indentured labourers, especially on sugarcane plantations.
Various ships made similar journeys to Calcutta and Madras, concluding with Sirsa's 1951 voyage.
To obtain free passage back to India, labourers had to have been above age twelve upon arrival, completed at least five years of service and lived in Fiji for a total of ten consecutive years.
A child born to these labourers in Fiji could accompany his or her parents or guardian back to India if he or she was under twelve.
Instead, arrangements were made for flights from Sydney to Bombay, the first of which departed in July 1955.