The inaugural World Yogasana Championships in Ahmedabad became an unexpected journey of cultural rediscovery for young athletes from Mauritius, several of whom set foot in India for the first time and found themselves tracing ancestral connections that had survived only through family stories and fading memories.

Athletes Carrying Generations of History

Chethnaa Reesaul, a 19-year-old Mauritian competitor, arrived in Ahmedabad knowing that her family has roots in Bihar — but not which part. 'My grandmother told me about our Indian connection, but I never really looked into it because I was focused on my studies and sports,' she said. The championships gave her the first tangible link to a heritage she had previously encountered only in conversations with her grandparents.

Competing alongside Chethnaa were Parineeti Kalkah and 13-year-old Ganisha Bajah, both of whom also trace their ancestry to Bihar. Aarya Chelumbrun, 12, from Grand Bois, links her family origins to Tamil Nadu, while Dakshesh Sai Joorun's heritage spans both Bihar and Tamil Nadu. All three girls — Chethnaa, Parineeti, and Ganisha — are students of Mahatma Gandhi Senior Secondary School in Nouvelle France.

What the Visit Meant for the Delegation

The Mauritian contingent was accompanied by Deputy Rector Reena Dewkarun and educator-coach Disha Nekitsing, both of whom also trace their family origins to Bihar. Their presence underlined a broader pattern: across Mauritius, families of Indian origin have preserved language, food, and traditions across generations, even as records of exact ancestral villages were lost to time.

'Being here has made that connection feel real. It has made me want to learn more about my family history and understand where our story began,' said Ganisha. Chethnaa expressed a similar resolve: 'I would love to come back, visit Bihar, and perhaps bring my family with me so we can explore our heritage together.'

Yoga as a Bridge Across Generations

There is a quiet irony in the fact that yoga — a practice that originated in India and spread across the world — became the vehicle for this cultural homecoming. Chethnaa only began practising Yogasana in January 2025, yet the discipline has already shaped her daily life. 'Yoga has made me calmer, more patient, and more focused,' she said. 'It has helped me develop discipline and balance.'

According to members of the Mauritian delegation, many young Mauritians of Indian origin know their ancestors came from India but have limited information about the specific regions or villages of origin. Over generations, records were lost and memories diluted — making events like the World Yogasana Championships rare opportunities for reconnection.

A Sporting Event With a Deeper Legacy

While competitors from across the world contested medals inside the arena, the inaugural championships facilitated a quieter, more personal journey for the Mauritian delegation. 'It is not just about bringing nations together through sport. It is also about helping a new generation like us rediscover where our story began,' Ganisha said.

As the athletes return to Mauritius, they carry with them not only competitive experience but a renewed curiosity about their roots — and a stronger bond with a country many had previously known only through the stories of older generations. Whether that curiosity translates into formal heritage research or a return visit to Bihar and Tamil Nadu remains to be seen.