Press Release

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Bhoomi Puja of World Hindi Secretariat and celebration of Hindi Diwas 2016

The High Commission of India organised today (08/10/2016) a Bhoomi Pooja ceremony marking the beginning of construction of the headquarters of the World Hindi Secretariat (WHS) at Phoenix, Mauritius. The ceremony was held in the presence of H.E the Prime Minister of Mauritius, Sir Anerood Jugnauth, Lady Sarojini Jugnauth, Hon’ble Minister of Education of Mauritius, Mrs. Leela Devi Dookun-Luchmoon and the High Commissioner of India, Shri. Abhay Thakur. The construction of the headquarters of the WHS is expected to be completed by March 2018, in time for the next World Hindi Conference which is being hosted by Mauritius.

Following the Bhoomi Puja, Hindi Diwas celebrations were organised at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Indian Culture, Phoenix. H.E the Prime Minister of Mauritius, Sir Anerood Jugnauth graced the occasion as Chief Guest. Lady Sarojini Jugnauth, Hon’ble Minister of Education of Mauritius, Mrs. Leela Devi Dookun-Luchmoon, the High Commissioner of India, Shri. Abhay Thakur, World Hindi Secretariat Secretary General, Dr. V.K. Mishra and a host of other dignitaries and lovers of Hindi literature participated in the event. In his address, Sir Anerood Jugnauth emphasized the necessity to preserve and promote the ancestral languages of Mauritius such as Hindi. He also spoke about the contribution of the Hindi language to the socio-cultural development of Mauritius. The Prime Minister also reaffirmed the support extended by Mauritius to India for establishing Hindi as one of the official languages of the United Nations.

Winners of various competitions held in connection with Hindi Diwas 2016 were also felicitated on the occasion.

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