Why PM Modi got a traditional Bihari welcome in Mauritius

Deeply touched by the warm welcome from the Indian community in Mauritius, PM Modi said on X

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday arrived in Mauritius on a two-day state visit, where he received a warm welcome by the Indian diaspora. He was greeted with a traditional Bihari cultural performance known as Geet Gawai.

Geet Gawai is a traditional Bhojpuri musical ensemble that embodies the rich cultural heritage brought to Mauritius by women from the Bhojpuri belt of India.

“Deeply touched by the warm welcome from the Indian community in Mauritius. Their strong connection to Indian heritage, culture and values is truly inspiring. This bond of history and heart continues to thrive across generations,” PM Modi wrote on X.

In a separate post, he said, “Memorable welcome in Mauritius. One of the highlights was the deep rooted cultural connect, seen in the Geet-Gawai performance. It’s commendable how the great Bhojpuri language thrives in the culture of Mauritius.”

Modi was seen enjoying the traditional song.

Upon his arrival at the hotel in Mauritius, the Prime Minister was accorded a warm welcome by the Indian community. The hotel members chanted “Bharat Mata ki Jai” as Modi reached there.

In December 2016, Geet Gawai was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in recognition of its cultural significance.

According to the singers, Geet Gawai is deeply significant in life events, especially weddings, where it begins with invocations to deities. It is performed mainly by Bhojpuri-speaking communities in Mauritius who have Indian descent.

Modi and his counterpart Navinchandra Ramgoolam of Mauritius laid a wreath at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden where both the leaders participated in a tree plantation drive.

The prime minister laid a wreath at the concrete 'Samadhi' of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, the founding father of Mauritius.

He also laid a wreath at the 'Samadhi' of Anerood Jugnauth, former president and prime minister of Mauritius.

"Went to the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden with Prime Minister Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam. This is a fine botanical garden, a living archive of biodiversity which illustrates Mauritius' conservation efforts and botanical heritage," the prime minister said in a post on X.