GIS – 12 March 2025: Today, the nation marked its 57th anniversary of Independence and 33rd Anniversary of the Republic with a grand flag-raising ceremony held at noon at Champ de Mars, where the first independence celebrations took place more than five decades ago.
The ceremony was graced by the President of the Republic of Mauritius, Mr Dharambeer Gokhool; the Prime Minister, Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam, and Cabinet ministers. The Prime Minister of the Republic of India, Shri Narendra Modi, attended as Chief Guest.
The theme of the ceremony, ‘As One People, As One Nation’, resonated throughout the proceedings. As the national flag was hoisted amidst the playing of the national anthem, the collective voices of the crowd singing in unison reverberated across the grounds. A 21-Gun salute followed the raising of the flag, to honour the sacrifices made for the country’s independence.
The celebration continued with a Trooping of the National Colours by the Police helicopter, a highly anticipated tradition where the flag is paraded to showcase the nation’s unity and pride. The spectacle reached new heights with flypasts by the Mauritius Police helicopters, the Dornier aircraft, the CASA aircraft of the Forces Armées de la Zone Sud de l’Océan Indien and Indian Naval helicopters.
The event also featured a lively march-past, with members of the Mauritius Disciplined Forces, the Détachement from the French 2ème Régiment de Parachutistes d’Infanterie de Marine des Forces Armées de la Zone Sud de l’Océan Indien, and Contingents from Seychelles Defence Force and the Indian Navy together with majors and majorettes of Queen Elizabeth College, representatives of Uniformed Organisations and high-level athletes.
The celebrations proceeded with a défilé of vehicles, and performances by the bands of the Mauritius Police Force, the Mauritius Prison Service and the Mauritius Fire and Rescue Service.
In a remarkable gesture of long standing and historical camaraderie and to strengthen the strong historical and cultural bond and cooperation between the two nations, President Dharambeer Gokhool presented to the Prime Minister of the Republic of India the Award of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean, on the advice of the Prime Minister, Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam. The Award is the highest national accolade of the Mauritian Republic.
In his acceptance address, Prime Minister Modi expressed his heartfelt gratitude and appreciation, embracing the honour with humility and responsibility. He stated that the conferment of the Award is an honour for himself and for the 1.4 billion people of India. “It is a tribute to the long cultural and historical bond of kinship between India and Mauritius,” he added.
For Prime Minister Modi, the Award is an acknowledgement of the shared commitment to regional peace, progress, security and sustainable development, and a symbol of the shared hope and aspiration of the global south.
Prime Minister Modi also dedicated the Award to the people who came from India to Mauritius centuries ago and who through their hard work contributed to, what he deemed, a global chapter in the development of Mauritius and its vibrant diversity. He reaffirmed as well the commitment to continue to make every effort to enhance the strategic partnership between Mauritius and India.
Government Information Service, Prime Minister’s Office, Level 6, New Government Centre, Port Louis, Mauritius. Email: gis@govmu.org Website: https://gis.govmu.org Mobile App: Search Gov
