Port Louis (Mauritius): Members of the Indian community in Mauritius are excitedly getting ready to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he visits the island just before the Holi festival and the country’s National Day celebrations.
One community member shared his excitement, saying, "We always celebrate Holi with lots of joy, but this year’s celebration is extra special because PM Modi is coming. He will be our chief guest for Independence Day, and we can’t wait to welcome him."
The admiration for PM Modi is strong among the diaspora. Another member noted, “No matter where he goes, Modi ji leaves a mark. His visit to Mauritius has filled the youth with excitement. Everyone wants to see him. He is doing amazing things in India and for our culture. That’s why the whole of Mauritius is joining in to prepare for the festivities. We are singing songs to celebrate.”
The excitement also resonates with local students. A ninth-grade student, who studies Sanskrit, expressed both excitement and nerves about performing for the Prime Minister. "I am in the 9th grade and study Sanskrit. I am very excited to see PM Modi, but I am also a little nervous. My classmates and I will perform a welcome song and recite a Sanskrit shloka for him during the event."
In La Laura-Malenga, a village in the Moka District, residents are planning special festivities for the Prime Minister’s visit, which aligns with Holi celebrations. This anticipation underlines the deep cultural and historical connections between Mauritius and India.
Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to visit Mauritius on March 11-12, invited by Mauritian Prime Minister Naveen Chandra Ramgoolam. He will be the chief guest at the National Day celebrations on March 12. Randhir Jaiswal, a spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, confirmed the visit, indicating that a contingent from the Indian Defence Forces will take part in the celebrations, alongside a ship from the Indian Navy.
During his stay, PM Modi will hold meetings with the President of Mauritius and engage in talks with Prime Minister Ramgoolam. This will mark his second visit to Mauritius, following his trip in 2015.
Earlier, in the Mauritian Parliament, Prime Minister Ramgoolam announced Modi’s visit, expressing his pleasure in hosting such a distinguished guest. He emphasized that the visit showcases the strong and lasting relationship between Mauritius and India. As the country prepares for its National Day, the visit is anticipated to further strengthen these ties.
