Compiled by
Vishal Bhidu
As India celebrated its 76th anniversary of Independence Day, Head of State Her Excellency Shrimati Droupadi Murmu in her speech hailed the event as a glorious and auspicious occasion for everyone from children to youth and elderly in cities and villages gearing up to celebrate this festival of freedom.
She spoke about several issues such as women’s empowerment where economic empowerment buttresses the position of women and society while urging women and daughters to overcome challenges courageously to surge ahead in life. “Development of women was among the ideals of our freedom struggle,” she added.
The President also hailed the role of India as the chair of G-20, stressing upon: “India is playing a crucial role in promoting developmental and humanitarian goals around the world. It has also assumed leadership of international forums, especially the presidency of G-20. “With the G-20 presidency, India can nudge decision-making in trade and finance towards equitable progress. Beyond trade and finance, matters of human development too are on the agenda. I am confident that with India’s proven leadership in dealing with global issues, member-nations will be able to advance effective action on these fronts.”
In Mauritius, a flag-raising ceremony was held at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Indian Culture on the morning of August 15 and in the evening a reception at the seat of the Indian High Commission hosted by Her Excellency Shrimati Nandini.K. Singla. The ambassador in her speech announced that the Mauritius PM Hon Pravind Jugnauth will be part of the G-20 forum where the relationship with India has grown by leaps and bounds during the past 12 months.
She remarked: “There have been 30 visits exchanged this year to buttress the partnership between India and Mauritius.”
The Indian High Commissioner further added: “When the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA) was introduced in 2021, exports in Mauritius reached USD 1 million in 2022 with an additional USD 2 million in the first six months of this year, amounting to a total of US 3 million dollars of Mauritius exports to India. Our bilateral trade will receive a further boost with the setting up of the Special Rupee Vostro Account Facility last December, enabling for the first time, Mauritius and Indian traders to settle their cross-border financial transactions in Indian Rupees.”
One of the highlights was the cultural programme was Kathak dance teacher, Choreographer, and performer Ms. Sadhana Negi performed on Vande Mataram, written and composed by Shri Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay where she arranged the song merging with Kathak and contemporary. The next was Mera Murshid Khele Holi which implies Thou Master plays Holi, a blend of spirituality and celebration where she received a rousing welcome from the audience.
The artist mesmerized through her artistic expression in this grand spectacle, the flow and swaying to the dance movement with reverberated passion in the riveting performances showcasing her unique trademark with the turn and hands in sync with rhythmic footwork, in lotus form while merging seamlessly with folded hands, bowing to her audience namaste showing humility.
The performer is one acclaimed artist as she lends a visual connection and imagery through a string of emotions where love, passion, and patriotism come alive in showing India’s seamless cultural diversity moving the audience and regaling in the artist’s moves.
