World Day

for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development

21 May 2020

Remarks by High Commissioner Tanmaya Lal

 Greetings to all of you, on a day when we celebrate the great Cultural Diversity of humanity. 

This great diversity is reflective of how societies and civilizations have evolved across different geographies and climatic zones over thousands of years. 

It reflects the range of responses by communities to the resources that have been available to them and the challenges and opportunities that they have faced.

Despite this seemingly great diversity, the DNA studies for our species shows overwhelming unity.

Life itself on this planet has evolved in endless and most beautiful forms. But there is an underlying unity which is science is beginning to understand but which traditional wisdom has always known.

Both India and Mauritius, despite their stark difference in size of their populations, are wonderful examples of mega diverse societies.

This diversity reflects their history and location.

Both our countries are defined by the diversity of their peoples in terms of their ethnicities, languages, faiths and cultures. 

It is reflected in their myriad cuisines, festivities, various art forms, music and dance.

This lends a vibrancy to these societies. It provides vitality and creativity. 

Both are nations draw out strength from this diversity. It is reflected in our inclusive democracies and openness of societies.

I wish to complement the Director of the Indian Culture Centre the IGCIC for this initiative to organize this online celebration.

It is great to see digital technology bridging divides in the time of this global pandemic. The pandemic is a common global challenge and has shown that despite the diversity of humanity, all of us are in this together.

I also wish to thank all the very accomplished and renowned artistes from Mauritius who are joining this programme.

We are grateful that they are sharing their creativity and interpretation of various performing arts.

We look forward to many more of such beautiful collaborative ventures.

I wish all of you the very best.

Thank you.