Women from the community honored him through a traditional Bihari cultural performance—“Geet Gawai.” In this regard, visuals from the grand welcome accorded to PM Modi in the island nation are also shared on X. Geet Gawai is described as “a traditional Bhojpuri musical ensemble that embodies the rich cultural heritage brought to Mauritius by women from the Bhojpuri belt of India.”
India and Mauritius will continue working together to make our planet prosperous and sustainable. pic.twitter.com/Onoz40diOV
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 11, 2025
PM Modi has also posted on X: “Deeply touched by the warm welcome from the Indian community in Mauritius. Their strong connection to Indian heritage, culture and values is truly inspiring. This bond of history and heart continues to thrive across generations.”
It is also highlighted that the tradition was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2016.
Although English is the official language of Mauritius, it is spoken by a very small percentage of the population. Creole, a French-based patois, is spoken by about four-fifths of the population and is the lingua franca of the country. Bhojpuri, an Indo-Aryan language, is spoken by one-tenth of the population, and French is spoken by a small percentage. Other languages spoken on the island include Hindi, Chinese, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu. Mauritians commonly speak two, three, or even more languages, and the educational system supports a wide range of language instruction.
Upon his arrival in Mauritius, PM Modi was welcomed by Mauritian Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam with a garland, alongside a large delegation including 34 ministers and over 200 dignitaries, at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport.
Over a post on X, Modi wrote: “Landed in Mauritius. I am grateful to my friend, PM Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam, for the special gesture of welcoming me at the airport. This visit is a wonderful opportunity to engage with a valued friend and explore new avenues for collaboration in various sectors.”
Ramgoolam was joined by the Deputy Prime Minister, Chief Justice of Mauritius, Speaker of the National Assembly, Leader of the Opposition, Foreign Minister, Cabinet Secretary, Chairperson of Grand Port District Council, among others.
The Indian prime minister will meet his counterpart, along with President Dharam Gokhool, and address a community program.
As PM Modi reached the hotel in Mauritius, he was accorded a warm welcome by people from the Indian community. The members at the hotel welcomed him with ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’, as they waved the Indian tri-color flag.
The two-day visit to island nation
Modi’s two-day visit to the Southeast African island nation entails plans to inaugurate over 20 India-funded projects, ranging from capacity building to community-linked infrastructure, including the Civil Services College building.
Modi will call on the President of Mauritius, meet the Prime Minister, and hold meetings with senior dignitaries and leaders of political parties.
Ahead of his trip to Mauritius, Prime Minister Modi on Monday said the visit will open a “new and bright” chapter in the ties between the two nations.
Mauritian Foreign Minister Dhananjay Ramful said a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on a line of credit will be signed on March 12. The strong ties between the two nations are evident in the numerous India-supported development initiatives across the island.
Mauritius has a mixed developing economy based on manufactured exports, agriculture, tourism, and financial services. Government efforts to diversify the economy after 1980 have been successful, and the island is no longer as completely dependent on sugar production as it was throughout most of its history.
Mauritius offers a rich mixture of the many cultures and traditions of its different peoples. The ethnic and religious diversity of Mauritius also means that there are many holidays and festivals scheduled throughout the year, including the Hindu festivals of Maha Shivaratri in February/March and Diwali in late October/November.
Mauritius is not only known for its beautiful beaches but also for its rich biodiversity and stunning natural landscapes. The island offers a variety of nature reserves and parks where visitors can experience the unique flora and fauna of Mauritius.
Once dependent on sugar exports, the island has built up a strong outsourcing and financial services sector, as well as an important tourism industry, and now boasts one of Africa’s highest per capita incomes. Mauritius is a stable and prosperous Indian Ocean archipelago.
Educationist/Administrator/Editor/Author/Speaker
Commencing teaching in his early twenties, Prof Aggarwal has diverse experience of great tenure in the top institutions not only as an educationist, administrator, editor, author but also promoting youth and its achievements through the nicest possible content framing. A revolutionary to the core, he is also keen to address the society around him for its betterment and growth on positive notes while imbibing the true team spirit the work force along with.
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