As PM Modi Prepares for Mauritius Trip, 27-Year-Old Photos of His 'Mini India' Journey Emerge
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Synopsis
PM Modi is preparing for a two-day visit to Mauritius as the chief guest for its 57th National Day. Excitement builds as agreements are expected to strengthen ties between India and Mauritius. Old photos from his 1998 visit highlight the longstanding cultural connections between the two nations.
Key Takeaways
- PM Modi's upcoming visit to Mauritius for its National Day.
- Expected agreements to strengthen India-Mauritius relations.
- Historical ties between India and Mauritius highlighted by old photos.
- PM Modi's first visit was in 1998 during the International Ramayana Conference.
- Cultural connections showcased through Ganga Talao and community bonds.
New Delhi, March 10 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi is poised to begin a two-day visit to Mauritius, where he will serve as the chief guest at the island nation’s 57th National Day celebrations. During this visit, India and Mauritius are anticipated to sign multiple agreements to enhance their bilateral ties.
The Indian community is buzzing with excitement and has initiated preparations to offer PM Modi a grand reception in honor of their national day festivities.
In the meantime, images from PM Modi's trip to the island nearly three decades ago have surfaced, showcasing his participation in various events and extensive interactions with the local populace.
The Modi Archive, a prominent account on X, unveiled these vintage photos from PM Modi’s visit to 'Mini India', highlighting the profound historical, linguistic, and cultural connections shared by the two nations.
“As PM Modi revisits Mauritius, it feels like a homecoming to Mini India,” stated the X account.
Notably, Mauritius holds a ‘special connection’ with India, as a significant portion of its population traces its roots back to India.
According to the Modi Archive, PM Modi first traveled to Mauritius in 1998, where he addressed the International Ramayana Conference in Moka.
“At that time, serving as BJP National General Secretary, he spoke about the universal values of Lord Ram and how the Ramayana acts as a bridge connecting India and Mauritius in a timeless civilizational bond,” it noted.
During this inaugural visit, PM Modi also forged lasting connections with the local population of Mauritius.
He engaged with key leaders, including then-President Cassam Uteem, Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, and Opposition Leader Sir Anerood Jugnauth.
Additionally, he met Paul Raymond Berenger, who would later become Prime Minister of Mauritius, and gained insights into how Mauritius' quest for independence paralleled India's own struggle for freedom.
The Modi Archive further emphasizes: “PM Modi’s 1998 visit was not confined to formal meetings. He dedicated time to understand the land, its history, and its people, visiting the sacred Ganga Talao, where he observed the enduring Hindu traditions flourishing beyond India.”
Reflecting on this emotional connection during the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in 2015, PM Modi remarked: "If there is one place that unites all of Mauritius, it is Ganga Sagar. The pond was created by the residents of Mauritius, who brought water from the Ganga and poured it into the pond. Though the quantity of water may be small, the emotions and devotion associated with it have given it a different dimension. To the people, it is a representation of the Ganga, and even today, the Shivratri Mela is organized on its banks, uniting the entire population of Indian origin."
When PM Modi visited the island nation again in 2015, approximately 17 years later, he once again stood at Ganga Talao and paid his respects to Maa Ganga.
According to the Modi Archive, PM Modi also addressed the people of Mauritius during its national day in 2015, stating: "Brothers and sisters, to determine whether a mango crop is good, one does not need to inspect every single fruit. Just tasting one or two is sufficient to gauge the quality of the entire harvest. Similarly, when the world observes Mauritius, they can glimpse what India is like. If the sample is so remarkable, imagine the greatness of the entire nation!"
