Namaste !

की मानियेर मोरिस?
आप लोग ठीक हव जा ना?
आज हमके मॉरीशस के धरती पर
आप लोगन के बीच आके बहुत खुसी होत बातै !
हम आप सब के प्रणाम करत हई !

Friends,

When I came to Mauritius on this date 10 years ago, we celebrated Holi just a week before my arrival. I had brought the excitement of fagua with me from India. This time I will take back with me, the colours of Holi from Mauritius to India. We shall celebrate Holi there a day later. On the 14th, there will be colour everywhere.

राम के हाथे ढोलक सोहै
लछिमन हाथ मंजीरा।
भरत के हाथ कनक पिचकारी...
शत्रुघन हाथ अबीरा...
जोगिरा........

And when we talk about Holi, how can we forget the sweet taste of gujiyas? There was a time, when Mauritius also supplied sugar to the Western regions of India, to add sweetness to their desserts. Perhaps this is a reason why sugar is also referred to as ‘Moras’ in Gujarati. With time, the sweetness in the relations between India and Mauritius is growing steadily. With this very sweetness, I wish all the citizens of Mauritius a very Happy National Day.

Friends,

Whenever I come to Mauritius, I feel like I am among my own people. There is a sense of belonging in the air, in the soil, and in the water, in the songs that are sung, in the rhythm of the Dholak, in the taste of Daal Puri. Kutcha, and Gateaux Piment carry the familiar fragrance of India. And this connection is natural, because the soil here is mixed with the blood and sweat of so many Indians, who were our ancestors. We are all part of one family, and it is with this spirit that Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam ji and his cabinet colleagues are present here with us today. My warmest wishes to all of you. The words that Prime Minister Navin ji just shared, could only have come from the heart. I sincerely thank him for his warm and heartfelt words.

Friends,

The people of Mauritius, the government here, as the Prime Minister has now announced, have decided to confer upon me their highest civilian honour. I humbly accept your decision. This honours the historic ties between India and Mauritius. It is also an honour for those Indians who, generation after generation, have served this land with dedication, and have brought Mauritius to such great heights today. I express my gratitude to every citizen of Mauritius and the government here for this honour.

Friends,

Last year, the President of India was the Chief Guest on the occasion of National Day. This shows the strength of relations between Mauritius and India. And choosing 12th March as the National Day is in itself a reflection of the shared history of our two countries. This is the very day when Mahatma Gandhi started the Dandi Satyagraha against enslavement. This day serves as a reminder of the freedom struggles of both nations. No one can forget a great personality like Barrister Manilal Doctor, who came to Mauritius and began the fight for the rights of the people. Our Chacha Ramgoolam ji, along with Netaji Subhash and others, led an extraordinary struggle against enslavement. The statue of Seewoosagur ji at the historic Gandhi Maidan in Patna, Bihar, stands as a reminder of this rich tradition. I have had the fortune of paying my respects to Seewoosagur ji here, alongside Navin Ji.

Friends,

When I come among you, meet you, speak with you, I am transported back two hundred years in history, to a time we have only read about - when countless Indians were brought here through deceit during the period of colonialism. They endured immense pain, suffering, and betrayal. In those difficult times, their source of strength was Lord Ram, the Ram Charit Manas, the struggles of Lord Ram, his victories, his inspiration, and his penance. They saw themselves in Lord Ram and drew strength and confidence from him.

राम बनिइहैं तो बन जइहै,
बिगड़ी बनत बनत बन जाहि।
चौदह बरिस रहे बनवासी,
लौटे पुनि अयोध्या माँहि॥

ऐसे दिन हमरे फिर जइहैं,
बंधुवन के दिन जइहें बीत।
पुनः मिलन हमरौ होई जईहै,
जइहै रात भयंकर बीत॥

Friends,

I recall visiting here in 1998 for the 'International Ramayana Conference.' At that time, I did not hold a government position. I came as an ordinary activist. Interestingly, Navin ji was the Prime Minister even then. Later, when I became the Prime Minister, Navin ji honoured me by attending my swearing-in ceremony in Delhi.

Friends,

The deep faith and emotion toward Lord Ram and the Ramayana that I experienced here years ago remain just as strong today. A similar wave of devotion was seen in January last year during the Pran Pratishtha ceremony in Ayodhya - marking the end of a 500 year long wait. The excitement and celebration that swept across India was equally reflected here in Mauritius. Understanding your heartfelt connection, Mauritius even declared a half day holiday. This shared bond of faith between India and Mauritius forms a strong foundation for our enduring friendship.

Friends,

I know that many families from Mauritius have recently returned from the Maha Kumbh. The world is astonished at the largest gathering in human history - with 65 to 66 crore people in attendance - and people from Mauritius were also part of this historic event. But I am also aware that many of my brothers and sisters from Mauritius, despite their heartfelt desire, could not attend this Maha Kumbh of unity. I understand your feelings. That is why I have brought with me the sacred water from the holy confluence, drawn during the Maha Kumbh. Tomorrow, this holy water will be immersed into the Ganga Talao here. 50 ago water from the Ganges at Gomukh was brought here and immersed in the Ganga Talao. Tomorrow, we shall witness a similar sacred moment once again. My prayer is that with the blessings of Mother Ganga and this prasad from the Maha Kumbh, Mauritius may reach new heights of prosperity.

Friends,

Mauritius may have gained independence in 1968, but the way this country has progressed taking everyone together is a remarkable example for the world. People from different corners of the globe have made Mauritius their home, creating a vibrant tapestry of cultures - a beautiful garden of diversity. Our ancestors were brought here from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and other parts of India. If you observe the language, dialects, and food habits, you’ll see that Mauritius reflects a mini-India. Generations of Indians have admired Mauritius on the silver screen. When you see hit Hindi songs, you will see the India House, Ile aux Cerfs, beautiful views of the Gris-Gris Beach, the Caudan Waterfront, and hear the sounds of the Rochester Falls. Perhaps, there’s hardly a corner of Mauritius that hasn’t found its place in Indian cinema. In fact, when the music is Indian and the location is Mauritius, the guarantee of the film becoming a hit only becomes bigger !

Friends,

I also understand your deep emotional connection with the entire Bhojpur region and Bihar.

पूर्वांचल के सांसद होवे के नाते, हम जननी कि बिहार के सामर्थ्य केतना ज्यादा बा... एक समय रहे जब बिहार, दुनिया क समृद्धि के केंद्र रहल.. अब हम मिलके, बिहार के गौरव फिर से वापस लाए के काम करत हई जा।

Friends,

At a time when many parts of the world were far from the reach of education, Bihar, India, was home to a global center of learning like Nalanda. Our government has revived Nalanda University and reignited the spirit of Nalanda. Today, the teachings of Lord Buddha continue to inspire the world in the pursuit of peace. We are not only preserving this rich heritage but also promoting it globally. Today, Bihar’s Makhana is gaining widespread recognition across India. It won’t be long before Bihar’s Makhana features in Snack Menus across the world.

हम जानीला कि हियां मखाना के केतना पसंद करल जा ला...
हमके भी मखाना बहुत पसंद बा....

Friends,

Today, India is nurturing and preserving its deep-rooted ties with Mauritius for future generations. I am pleased that a decision has been made to extend OCI cards to the seventh generation of the Indian diaspora in Mauritius. I had the privilege of presenting OCI cards to the President of Mauritius and his wife, Brinda ji. I also had the honour of presenting OCI cards to the Prime Minister and his wife, Veena ji. During this year’s Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, I had also proposed taking some initiatives for the Girmitiya Community, who have settled across the world. You will be pleased to know that the Government of India is actively working on creating a comprehensive database of the Girmitiya Community. Efforts are underway to gather information on the villages and cities from which members of the Girmitiya Community migrated. We’re also working to identify the locations where they have settled. The entire history of the Girmitiya Community - their journey from the past to the present - is being documented in one place. Our effort is that, in collaboration with a university, a study be conducted on the legacy of the Girmitiya Legacy and World Girmitiya Conferences are organised from time to time. India also plans to collaborate with Mauritius and other countries connected to the Girmitiya Community to identify ‘Indentured Labour Routes.’ We aim to preserve key heritage sites along these routes, including the historic Aapravasi Ghat in Mauritius.

Friends,

Mauritius is not just a partner country. For us, Mauritius is family. This bond is deep and strong, rooted in history, heritage and the human spirit. Mauritius is also a bridge connecting India to the wider Global South. A decade ago, on my first visit as a prime minister to Mauritius in 2015, I announced India’s SAGAR Vision. SAGAR means ‘SECURITY AND GROWTH for All in the REGION’. Today, Mauritius is still at the heart of this vision. Whether it is investment or infrastructure, commerce or crisis response, India always stands with Mauritius. Mauritius is the first country from the African Union with whom we signed the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement in 2021. It has opened new opportunities, giving Mauritius preferential access to the Indian markets. Indian companies have invested millions of dollars in Mauritius. We have partnered in building critical infrastructure projects for the people of Mauritius. It is boosting growth, creating jobs, and transforming industries. India is a proud partner in capacity building in Mauritius.

Friends,

Mauritius, with vast ocean territories, needs to secure its resources from illegal fishing, piracy, and crimes. As a trusted and reliable friend, India works with Mauritius to protect your national interest and secure the Indian Ocean Region. In times of crisis, India has always stood with Mauritius. When COVID-19 struck, India was the first country to deliver 1 lakh vaccines and essential medicines. When Mauritius faces a crisis, India is the first responder. When Mauritius prospers, India is the first to celebrate. After all, as I said earlier, for us, Mauritius is family.

Friends,

India and Mauritius are not only connected by history but also by shared future opportunities. Wherever India is making rapid progress, it is actively supporting the growth of Mauritius. From the metro system and electric buses to solar power projects, modern services like UPI and RuPay cards, and the construction of the new parliament building - India is extending its support to Mauritius with a spirit of friendship. Today, India stands as the fifth-largest economic power in the world and is on track to become the world’s third largest economy soon. India always hopes that Mauritius amply benefits from our growth. That’s why, when India held the presidency of the G20, we invited Mauritius as a special invitee. During the Summit in India, the African Union was made a permanent member of the G20 for the first time. This long-standing demand was finally fulfilled under India's presidency.

Friends,

There is a famous song here..

तार बांधी धरती ऊपर
आसमान गे माई...
घुमी फिरी बांधिला
देव अस्थान गे माई...
गोर तोहर लागीला
धरती हो माई...

We consider the Earth as our mother. When I visited Mauritius 10 years ago, I had proclaimed to the whole world that we must listen to what Mauritius has to say about Climate Change. I’m pleased that today Mauritius and India together are spreading awareness on this subject around the world. Mauritius and India are key members of initiatives like the International Solar Alliance and Global Biofuel Alliance. Today, Mauritius is also associated with the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam Campaign. Today, I, along with Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam ji planted a tree, under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam Campaign. This campaign builds a bond not only with the mother who gave us birth, but also Mother Earth. I urge all the citizens of Mauritius to become a part of this campaign.

Friends,

Many possibilities are emerging for Mauritius in the 21st century. I assure you, that India is with Mauritius every step of the way. Once again, I thank the Prime Minister, his government, and the people of Mauritius

Once again, wishing you all on the occasion of National Day.

Thank you very much.
Namaskar.

DISCLAIMER - This is the approximate translation of Prime Minister's remarks. Original remarks were delivered in Hindi.

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MJPS/ST