The Glorious Tradition of Celebrating India’s Independence Day in Mauritius and the Grand Celebration of the 80th Independence Day

Even outside India, India’s Independence Day is celebrated with great enthusiasm, fervour and patriotic spirit. Among the Indian diaspora, Mauritius has a distinctive and glorious tradition of commemorating this day. According to available historical accounts, public celebrations of Indian Independence Day in Mauritius began in 1948 and this tradition has continued uninterrupted ever since.

The credit for giving a strong cultural and ideological foundation to the celebration of India’s Independence Day in Mauritius goes to Prof. Basdeo Bisnoodayal, a pioneer of Indian culture, one of the prominent heroes of the Mauritian independence movement, and a follower of Gandhian philosophy. This tradition, which originated in the village of Lalmatie, saw local people wearing Gandhi caps and proceeding in a procession to Swaraj Bhavan. There, Prof. Basdeo Bisnoodayal would address the gathering and highlight the distinctive features and significance of Indian culture, the Sanatan tradition, and its timeless values of life. In his discourses, he particularly emphasised the noble traditions, moral values and human ideals of Indian culture.

The tradition of commemorating 12 March—the historic date of Mahatma Gandhi’s famous Dandi March – as Mauritius’ Independence Day, as well as the tradition of paying tribute to Gandhi on his martyrdom day, are also symbolic of the deep historical and emotional bonds between India and Mauritius. Every year, on the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the Bisnoodayal brothers organise programmes at Swaraj Bhavan and before the statue of Gandhi at Laventure, thereby keeping alive the tradition of remembering and paying tribute to the contributions of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi.

Carrying forward this glorious tradition, a grand flag-hoisting ceremony was organised on 15 August 2026 on the occasion of India’s 80th Independence Day at the premises of the Indira Gandhi Indian Culture Centre in Phoenix, under the leadership of His Excellency Mr Anurag Srivastava, High Commissioner of India to Mauritius.

With the resounding chants of “Vande Mataram” and the National Anthem, the entire atmosphere became imbued with patriotism, a sense of Indian identity and national pride. Thereafter, during the programme held in the auditorium, His Excellency Mr Anurag Srivastava, High Commissioner of India, read out the message addressed to the nation by the President of India, Her Excellency Smt. Droupadi Murmu, on the eve of the 80th Independence Day.

During the programme, India’s assistance to Mauritius in various fields, as well as the deep-rooted historical, cultural and people-to-people bonds existing between the two countries, were also highlighted. The glimpses of the centuries-old cultural ties and mutual cooperation between India and Mauritius deeply touched the hearts of those present.

On this occasion, vibrant cultural performances of music, songs and dance by local and Indian artists captivated the audience. The performances beautifully reflected the diversity, richness and vitality of Indian culture.

On this auspicious occasion of India’s 80th Independence Day, let us all resolve together to carry forward India’s glorious cultural and civilisational traditions and to take our nation to new heights of progress, prosperity and pride.

Jai Hind! Jai Bharat!
Dr Krishna Kumar Jha