President Droupadi Murmu today exhorted Mauritian youth to stay connected with India to nourish their proud past and invest in their bright future.

Addressing students and distinguished guests at the University of Mauritius, President Murmu, who is on a three-day visit to the nation from Mar 11-13, expressed optimism that the youth in both countries will continue to deepen the special partnership.

“I am confident that these bonds of friendship between our youth will keep our relationship moving upwards, “ President Murmu said as the island nation marked its National day today.

“I urge my Mauritian friends to take advantage of their special proximity to India and tap into the vast economic opportunities it offers,” she added.

Stating that education has been a key instrument in shaping the special relationship between our two countries, she spoke of India's “forward-looking” new National Education Policy, which she said, “will tap into India’s demographic dividend to become a powerhouse of innovation”.

The President highlighted that in less than a decade, India has set up nearly 400 new Universities, 5,300 new colleges, 75 new Institutes of National Importance, 14 new AIIMS, seven new IITs and seven new IIMs, with half of the new Universities and a majority of the new colleges located in rural areas.

“In this exciting journey into the future, India looks forward to partnering its special friends, like Mauritius,” she said.

India-Mauritius ties

Each year, 400 Mauritians are trained in India under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme and about 60 Mauritian students receive scholarships to pursue higher education in India.

“It is a matter of pride for us that many among them occupy high positions in the Mauritian bureaucracy and public life today... Hundreds of Mauritian youth have also been reconnecting with their Indian roots by visiting India under the Know India Programme and several other exchange programmes,” President Murmu said.

The President further told the gathering that since 2020, more than 500 Mauritian students have also benefited from India’s e-VidyaBharatiand and e-ArogyaBharati distance learning programmes.

“Considering that robust people-to-people linkages have been the very foundation of the special friendship between India and Mauritius, I truly believe the future of our bilateral relationship lies in the hands of our youth. I am optimistic that the youth of Mauritius and India will continue to deepen this special partnership,” she said.

President Murmu said, “Addressing you all at the University of Mauritius today, I am reminded that education has been a key instrument in shaping this special relationship between our two countries, as well as the destiny of Mauritius. In 1901, Mahatma Gandhi, inspired Indian indentured workers to educate themselves, resulting in their political and social empowerment, that led to the transformation of Mauritius.”

“The subsequent visionary leadership of Mauritian leaders like Sir Seewoosagar Ramgoolam and Sir Anirudh Jagannath has been built on this rich foundation, to create a vibrant, pluralistic and prosperous Mauritius, that inspires Africa and the world,” she added.

“India sees Mauritius as a close maritime neighbour, a cherished partner in the Indian Ocean Region and a key player in our Africa outreach,” she mentioned.

“This was clear as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Mauritian counterpart Pravind Jugnauth recently inaugurated an airstrip, a jetty, and six other developmental projects in the neighbouring nation.”

President Murmu will jointly inaugurate 14 India-assisted projects with the Mauritian PM.

(Source: IANS)

- Edited for style

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