PM Modi & Mauritius Counterpart Navinchandra inaugurate Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Public Service and Innovation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi alongwith Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam on March 12 jointly inaugurated the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Public Service and Innovation. PM Modi said that the institute will serve as the hub for learning and research.

In a post on X, he said, “PM Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam and I jointly inaugurated the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Public Service and Innovation. It will serve as a hub for learning, research and public service, fostering new ideas and leadership for the future. It also strengthens our shared commitment to progress and development.”

PM Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam and I jointly inaugurated the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Public Service and Innovation. It will serve as a hub for learning, research and public service, fostering new ideas and leadership for the future. It also strengthens our shared… pic.twitter.com/hrb5p7XRkp

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 12, 2025

In a symbolic gesture of cultural and spiritual connection, PM Modi mixed the sacred waters of the Ganges, brought from the Prayagraj Mahakumbh, into the Ganga Talao (Grand Bassin) at Port Louis in Mauritius.

This act signifies the strengthening of ties between India and Mauritius, as well as the sharing of India’s rich spiritual heritage with the world. The Prayagraj Mahakumbh, which concluded recently, was a grand celebration of unity and devotion, with millions of devotees gathering to take a holy dip in the Ganges.

It was a very emotional feeling to return to Ganga Talao in Mauritius. Standing by its sacred waters, one could feel the deep spiritual connection that transcends borders, binding generations of people to their roots. pic.twitter.com/oUZRPVaxNU

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 12, 2025

The Ganga Talao, a sacred lake in Mauritius, is an important pilgrimage site for Hindus. By mixing the gangajal into the lake, PM Modi reinforced the cultural and spiritual bonds between India and Mauritius.

The Ganga Talao is also known as the Grand Bassin at Port Louis. The Prime Minister paid obeisance, offered prayers and also performed Aarti at the Ganga Talao. Ganga Talao is a sacred lake for the Hindus of Mauritius.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi received the Highest National Award of Mauritius. Although the weather did not seem to side with him, thousands of people gathered at the venue, braving the heavy rain to see their leader accept the award on the National Day.

“I express my heartfelt gratitude for being conferred the highest national award of Mauritius. This is not just my honour, it is the honour of 1.4 billion Indians. It is a tribute to the centuries old cultural and historical bonds of kinship between India and Mauritius. It is an acknowledgement of our said commitment to regional peace, progress, security and sustainable development. And it is a symbol of the shared hopes and aspirations of the global south,” PM Modi said while receiving the award.

Honoured to be conferred the Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean, and that too on Mauritius’ National Day. pic.twitter.com/LaaurcKbzx

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 12, 2025

PM Modi dedicated the award to the Indians who migrated to Mauritius and contributed to the nation’s vibrant diversity.

“I accept this award with filled humility and gratitude. I dedicate it to your ancestors who came from India to Mauritius centuries ago and to all their generations. Through their hardwork, they wrote a golden chapter in the development of Mauritius and contributed to its vibrant diversity,” he said.

PM Modi further said that he was committed to enhance India Mauritius Strategic Partnership to greater heights. “I also embrace this honour as a responsibility and reaffirm our commitment that we will continue to make every effort to enhance India Mauritius Strategic Partnership to greater heights,” he said.

“I also embrace this honour as a responsibility and reaffirm our commitment that we will continue to make every effort to enhance India Mauritius Strategic Partnership to greater heights,” he said.
Earlier, PM Modi discussed with Mauritius PM Navinchandra Ramgoolam the full range of India-Mauritius friendship. They raised the partnership between both nations to to an Enhanced Strategic Partnership.

On the special occasion of Mauritius’ National Day, I had the opportunity to meet my good friend, PM Navinchandra Ramgoolam and discuss the full range of India-Mauritius friendship. We have decided to raise our partnership to an Enhanced Strategic Partnership.

We talked about… pic.twitter.com/DvNDUy7ML4

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 12, 2025

“On the special occasion of Mauritius’ National Day, I had the opportunity to meet my good friend, PM Navinchandra Ramgoolam and discuss the full range of India-Mauritius friendship. We have decided to raise our partnership to an Enhanced Strategic Partnership. We talked about how we can work together in areas such as infrastructure, housing, digital technology, health and more. We also want to cover more ground in areas like AI, capacity building and sustainable growth,” he said.

On March 11, in a gesture of cultural exchange and friendship, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted the Mauritius President Dharambeer Gokhool with holy Sangam water from the Mahakumbh, packaged in an exquisite brass and copper pot.

Notably, this year, people witnessed Mahakumbh 2025 in Prayagraj. It was concluded on the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivratri, marking a momentous event filled with spiritual unity, divine energy, and supernatural significance.

Kumbh Mela, the world’s largest peaceful gathering, draws millions of pilgrims who bathe in sacred rivers, seeking to purify themselves from sins and attain spiritual liberation.

The brass and copper pot, chosen to hold the sacred water, is also significant in Hindu culture. According to tradition, storing Ganga water in copper or brass vessels is considered auspicious, as it is believed to retain the water’s purity and spiritual essence.