Immigration
Indian Diaspora Can Be Bridge Between the Two Nations, Says Indian President in Mauritius
Indian President Ram Nath Kovind (right) inspecting the Guard of Honor during the ceremonial reception at Sir Seewoosagur International Airport in Mauritius on March 11, 2018. Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth is also seen.
Photo: PIB
Indian President Ram Nath Kovind is in Mauritius on a five-day visit during the nation’s 50th Independence Day celebrations.
Indian President Ram Nath Kovind, who is in Mauritius on a five-day visit during the nation’s 50th Independence Day celebration, asked the Indian diaspora to be a bridge between the two countries.
Kovind asked the youth to plug into the local network of the states they come from during a speech at the Gandhi Institute in Port Louis on March 11. He underscored that the values that Mauritius and India share have inspired the two countries through the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi.
President of India Ram Nath Kovind & the first lady Savita Kovind pay respects to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Mahatma Gandhi Institute in #Mauritius. pic.twitter.com/RNg35JcyuH
— ANI (@ANI) March 11, 2018
He also praised the island nation on its sanitation record under its Swachh Mauritius program, saying that it is a model for India’s efforts. India and Mauritius can share developmental and economic experiences in agriculture and dairy farming, tourism and textiles, coastal zoning and urbanization, and skilling and education, Kovind said.
On March 11, he met his Mauritian counterpart Ameenah Gurib-Fakim.
Kovind is accompanied by Minister of State for Family Welfare Ashwini Kumar Choubey and members of parliament Vijila Satyanath, Hukum Dev Narayan Yadav, Manoj Tiwari and R.Radha Krishnan.
I am pleased to be in Mauritius today. His Excellency asked me did you ever visit Mauritius. I replied when I was a Member of Parliament I dreamt of visiting Mauritius, today I am happy that my dream came true: President Ram Nath Kovind in Mauritius pic.twitter.com/0YSzMeAO3M
— ANI (@ANI) March 11, 2018
President Ram Nath Kovind and the first lady Savita Kovind met Dr. Ameenah Gurib, President of the Republic of #Mauritius at Le Reduit (State House). pic.twitter.com/CaA67pAStJ
— ANI (@ANI) March 11, 2018
Kovind appreciated the fact that citizens of diverse backgrounds of Mauritius have built the nation as a prosperous one and a place that stands as a model for the Indian Ocean region. He said that the youth of a country plays an integral part and contributes significantly to its progression. He added that the Mauritian youth should strive for success so as to make their country proud and at the same time promote peace, harmony and unity among the population.
He further said that Mauritius is one of the largest participating countries in the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation program, with over 300 young people from Mauritius undergoing civilian and defense-related training in India every year.
On March 14, Kovind will visit Madagascar, marking the first ever visit by an Indian VVIP to the island nation.
Mauritius mostly comprises people of Indian descent, with Hinduism being the largest practiced religion in the country. The largest spoken language is Creole, followed by Bhojpuri, French and other languages, according to the World Factbook by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), United States.
