Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted holy water from the Sangam and Saryu River, collected during the Mahakumbh, along with a replica of the Ram Mandir to the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, on Thursday (local time).
During his address to the Indian community in Trinidad and Tobago, PM Modi emphasised Bihar's historical and cultural significance, praised the courage of the Indian diaspora, and referred to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar as the "daughter of Bihar."
He acknowledged her ancestral connections to the state and encouraged her to offer water from the Sarayu and the Mahakumbh to the Ganga Dhara in the Caribbean nation.
"Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar's ancestors were from Buxar, Bihar. Kamala ji herself has visited the area, and many consider her a daughter of Bihar," PM Modi said.
"You are all aware that earlier this year, the world's largest spiritual gathering, the Mahakumbh, took place. It is my honour to bring water from the Mahakumbh with me. I request Kamala ji to offer these holy waters from the Sarayu River and the Mahakumbh to the Ganga Dhara here," he added.
Kamla Persad-Bissessar spoke at the Indian community event in Trinidad and Tobago. She had previously visited her ancestral village, Bhelupur, in the Itarhi block of Buxar district in 2012.
PM Modi began his first official visit to Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday with a ceremonial Guard of Honour at Piarco International Airport, where he was welcomed by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, along with 38 ministers and four Members of Parliament from the Caribbean nation.
This is PM Modi's first visit to Trinidad and Tobago as Prime Minister, and it marks the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the Caribbean nation since 1999. The visit was made at the invitation of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal highlighted the close ties between India and Trinidad and Tobago, noting that 45 per cent of their population is of Indian origin.
"India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in the capital of Trinidad and Tobago on a historic visit. He was welcomed at the airport by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and her Cabinet ministers. This visit is significant for India, as it is the first PM-level visit in 26 years. Approximately 1.3 million people are living in this country, of which 45 per cent are of Indian origin," Jaiswal said.
He also mentioned that the majority of people of Indian origin in Trinidad and Tobago have roots in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. "The relationship between India and Trinidad and Tobago is very strong and unique. Most people of Indian origin here hail from Bhojpuri-speaking districts like Chhapra, Ara, Ballia, Siwan, Gopalganj, Banaras, and Azamgarh," Jaiswal added.
(With agency inputs)
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