Patna : Residents of Bhojpur District erupted in celebration as Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Mauritius for a two-day visit, marking the country’s 57th Independence Day. PM Modi has been invited as the Guest of Honour, a gesture welcomed with joy both in Mauritius and in the ancestral village of its Prime Minister, Pravind Jugnauth, in India.
Pravind Jugnauth, who has ancestral roots in Harigaon, Bhojpur, is a descendant of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, Mauritius’ first Prime Minister and the country’s “Father of the Nation.” His relatives in Bihar marked the occasion by smearing abir (coloured powder) on portraits of both Jugnauth and his grandfather, celebrating their historic connection to the region.
A Deep Historical Connection
The familial ties between Bhojpur and Mauritius have long been a source of pride for residents of Harigaon. Santosh Kumar, a fourth-generation descendant of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, expressed his delight. “It is a moment of great joy for us. The Prime Minister of India is visiting a nation that has deep historical and cultural ties with us. This village shares a blood relationship with Mauritius’ leadership,” he said.
Mauritius has often been referred to as ‘Little India’ due to its strong Indian diaspora, many of whom trace their roots back to Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Several families in Bhojpur have relatives in Mauritius, a legacy of 19th-century migration under British rule.
Calls for Recognition and Reconnection
Alongside the celebrations, residents of Harigaon renewed their long-standing demand for a statue of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam to be installed in the village. They pointed to the monument of the Mauritian leader in Patna’s Gandhi Maidan as an example. “We want a statue here in Harigaon, just like in Patna, to honour his contribution,” said Santosh Kumar.
Relatives also expressed their wish for Prime Minister Jugnauth to visit Harigaon again. “He came to India in 2008 but was unable to meet his extended family due to protocol constraints,” said Sunil Kumar, a local resident. “We urge the Indian government to facilitate his visit to his ancestral village so he can reconnect with his roots.”
Vijay Shankar Choubey, the head of the local panchayat, echoed the sentiment. “We hope PM Modi conveys our request to Mauritius’ Prime Minister. This is a matter of immense pride for us, and we wish to welcome him back to the land of his forefathers.”
