Mauritius not just a partner, it is family, PM tells diaspora
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday described Mauritius, a key Indian Ocean Region country, as “not just a partner, but family” and invoked Lord Ram, the Holi festival and Bihar ancestry of many in Mauritius to stress shared ties.
Modi was addressing an Indian diaspora event in the presence of Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam and his wife Veena, whom he earlier handed over the Overseas Indian Citizenship cards in a gesture of friendship between the two nations.
PM Modi also announced India’s decision to grant OCI to the seventh generation of the people of Mauritius with Indian descent. Mauritius on its part announced the highest civilian honour for PM Modi.
The Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean has earlier been presented to five global leaders, including Nelson Mandela in 1998. Modi is the first Indian leader to be conferred the honour.
After Ramgoolam committed to further strengthening ties between the two nations today, Modi, in a speech laced with Hindi and Bhojpuri, invoked Lord Ram and Mauritius’ move to declare a half day holiday on the day of Ram Mandir consecration in Ayodhya.
While Ramgoolam remembered how the first Speaker of the National Assembly of Mauritius was from Gujarat and his own father’s political mentor too, Modi recalled the journeys people from UP and Bihar made to Mauritius as indentured labourers, drawing strength for their struggles from Ram Charit Manas.
Gifts Sangam water to Prez
PM Modi met Mauritius President Dharambeer Gokhool and gifted him the holy water from the kumbh and his wife a Banarasi saree
PM and Navinchandra Ramgoolam planted a tree under Modi’s ‘Ek Ped Maa ke Naam’ initiative in the historic Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanic Garden, Pamplemousses
“We are all a family. The blood and sweat of our ancestors is mixed with the soil of Mauritius,” said Modi on a two-day state visit to Mauritius where he will be chief guest at the country’s 57th National Day celebrations on March 12 — the day Mahatma Gandhi began his Dandi March against colonial rule.
Calling himself an MP from Purvanchal, Modi said his government was working hard to restore Bihar, once a seat of Nalanda University to past glory. Modi’s reference was meant for many in Mauritius who trace their roots to Bihar.
Upon arrival, PM Modi was welcomed with a ceremonial Geet Gawain, a Bihari Bhojpuri ensemble. He was received at the airport by PM Ramgoolam, Chief Justice of Mauritius and the entire Cabinet.
Speaking to Indian expats, Modi saluted Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, a national hero in Mauritius, for waging unprecedented struggles against slavery in association with Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
“While I know many people from Mauritius participated in the Maha Kumbh, I am conscious that many could not. I have brought the sacred water with me,” PM Modi said.
On ties with Mauritius, Modi said, “Our bond is deep and strong rooted in history, heritage and human spirit. Mauritius is also a bridge connecting India to the wider Global South.
Mauritius with large ocean territories needs to secure its resources from piracy and crimes. As a trusted friend, India works with Mauritius to secure the Indian Ocean region.”
