The President of the Republic of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, accompanied by a high-level delegation, will be on a State Visit from 11 to 13 March 2024 in Mauritius. President Murmu will be the Chief Guest of the Government during the National Day Celebrations 2024. The theme chosen for this year’s celebrations is ‘Ansam Nou Avanse’ (Together, let us move forward).
The Minister of Arts and Cultural Heritage, Mr Avinash Teeluck, shared these details during a Press Conference, at the seat of his Ministry in Port-Louis.
On that occasion, the Logo for the 56th Independence Day and 32nd Republic Day was unveiled. The winner of the Logo Competition organised by the Ministry with the collaboration of different institutions, Mr Kunal Maunick, was awarded a cash prize of Rs 50,000. The revisited and modern version of the iconic song ‘Ruz Ble Zonn Ver’ of the ABAIM Group was also launched.
As regards the national theme for the celebrations, Minister Teeluck observed that it reflects the country’s unity regardless of our cultural differences as well as serves as a reminder of the power that comes from unity. It also depicts our collective determination to build a Mauritius that is inclusive, equitable and prosperous for all, he stated.
Speaking about the programme for the State Visit, Mr Teeluck indicated that it includes visits at the Aapravasi Ghat World Heritage Site; the Intercontinental Slavery Museum and; the Ganga Talao Spiritual Sanctuary.
Besides the traditional Flag Raising ceremonies in the educational sector, some 300,000 bookmarks bearing the National Anthem, the Logo of National Day Celebrations 2024, the National Flower “Trochetia Boutoniana”, and the National Bird of Mauritius “Mauritius Kestrel”, will also be distributed to all primary and secondary school students on Monday 11 March 2024, said the Minister.
As regards the Official Programme for the National Day Celebrations 2024, to be celebrated on Tuesday 12 March 2024 at Champ de Mars, in Port Louis, it will include: a Flag Raising Ceremony at the Champ de Mars at 14hrs00 followed by the Official programme comprising, inter alia: Fly past by the Helicopters of the Mauritius Police Force and the Indian Naval, the Dornier Aircraft; Detachment from the French Deuxième Regiment de Parachutistes D’Infanterie de Marine des Forces Armées de la Zone Sud de L’Ocean Indien; and parade of vehicles and fleets organised by local authorities and Non-Governmental Organisations.
The Majorettes and Majors of the Queen Elizabeth College will also form part of the programme, followed by a cultural programme with a plethora of artists, Mr Teeluck added.
On that Day, the Cultural Programme will be centered around an official cultural item conceptualised and mounted by the National Troupe of Mauritius Ltd, a newly set up special-purpose vehicle which operates under the aegis of the Ministry of Arts and Cultural Heritage. The programme will showcase the multicultural richness of Mauritius through a series of dances and will include the revisited version of the iconic song ‘Ruz Ble Zonn Ver’ of the ABAIM Group which will be sung by around 20 famous popular local singers and a choir comprising around 100 children.
The Minister thus invited the public to participate in the National Day Celebrations at Champ de Mars, highlighting that bus and Metro fares will be brought down to half price two hours before and after the event to allow the population to partake in the celebrations. Free transport will be offered for children under the age of 13 years and the Ministry will provide bus facilities in different regions as well.
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