Mauritius Calls India Its ‘Second Home,’ Says Dr Sarita Budhu in Patna

Patna: Mauritius considers India its “second home”, Dr Sarita Budhu has said, expressing gratitude for the long-standing support India has provided to the island nation. Speaking in Patna at a civic felicitation event on Monday, Budhu, a well-known cultural figure and wife of former Mauritian Deputy Prime Minister Dr Harish Budhu, underscored the historical and emotional ties between the two countries.

“India has continuously helped Mauritius in its development over the years. Our ancestors went to Mauritius as labourers from India about 190 years ago. Today, we Biharis and people of Purvanchal origin are leading Mauritius. India is our second home, the sacred home of our ancestors,” she said during the event.

The gathering was hosted at the residence of cancer specialist Dr Jitendra Kumar Singh, under the chairmanship of Dr Anil Sulabh, President of the India Mauritius Friendship Association. Addressing an audience of senior citizens and intellectuals, Budhu extended an invitation to visit Mauritius to further strengthen the cultural and historical bonds.

The event also marked the launch of the book Human Rights: A Vision, authored by journalists Shashi Bhushan Kumar and Amit Kumar Vishwas. Prominent attendees included Dr Vijay Shankar Singh, a renowned orthopaedic specialist and former Director-in-Chief of Health in Bihar; Dr Sheela Sharma, a noted gynaecologist; Dr Ram Singh, former national president of the Indian Homeopathy Medical Council; Dr H N Diwakar, former Director-in-Chief of Health Services; and Dr Sahajanand, former national president of the Indian Medical Association, along with other intellectuals such as Aarti Singh and Ravindra Kharat.

Budhu’s remarks highlighted the enduring connection between Mauritius and India, a bond forged by the migration of Indian labourers during the colonial era, which has evolved into a relationship of shared cultural heritage and mutual support.