Mauritius PM Navinchandra Ramgoolam announced its highest award ‘The Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean’ for PM Modi. During his address, PM Modi wholeheartedly accepted the award.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on an official visit to Mauritius, addressed the Indian diaspora in Port Louis on Tuesday evening. “I greet you with folded hands,” PM Modi told the Indian community in Mauritius. “I came to Mauritius 10 years ago on this date. It was a week after Holi, and I brought the joy of ‘Fagwa’ with me. This time, I will take the colours of Holi with me to India,” PM Modi said.
“We are like one family,” said PM Modi in his address. “Whenever I come to Mauritius, it feels like I am among my own,” he added.
Highlights from PM Modi’s address to Indian community in Mauritius:
“There was a time when sugar was imported from Mauritius for sweets in the western side of India. Maybe, this was a reason why sugar is also known as ‘Moras’ in Gujarati. With passage of time, the sweetness of relations between India and Mauritius continues to increase. With this sweetness, I congratulate people of Mauritius on their national day,” says PM Modi.
“Whenever I come to Mauritius, it feels like I have come amongst my own people. There is a feeling of belongingness in the air, soil and water here… And this is natural, blood and sweat of our ancestors is mixed in the soil here…” says PM Modi.
“What PM Naveen (Navinchandra Ramgoolam) said just now, those words can only come from the heart. I thank from my heart for what he said from his heart… People and government of Mauritius, and what the PM announced just now, they have decided to give me their highest civilian award. I humbly accept your decision. This is the respect of the historic relations between India and Mauritius,” says PM Modi.
“Last year, on the occasion of (Mauritius) National Day, Indian President was the chief guest. This reflects the strength of India-Mauritius relations, and choosing March 12 as the National Day is a reflection of shared history of both the countries. This is the same day when Mahatma Gandhi started the ‘Dandi Satyagraha’ against slavery…” says PM Modi.