Commemoration of the 191st Anniversary of the Arrival of Indentured Labourers in Mauritius
To mark the Commemoration of the 191st Anniversary of the Arrival of Indentured Labourers in Mauritius, the Ministry of Arts and Culture in collaboration with the Aapravasi Ghat Trust Fund organized the following activities on Sunday, 02 November 2025:
(a) a wreath laying ceremony at the Aapravasi Ghat World Heritage Site;
(b) an official programme comprising speeches and cultural items depicting the cultural heritage of the indentured labourers and their descendants;
(c) launching of an exhibition on the theme ‘Threads of Memory, Bonds of Belonging’; and
(d) a wreath laying ceremony at the Lotus Monument, Antoinette Phooliyar, Barlow, the camp where the first indentured labourers were brought to work in the sugar plantations of Ex-Antoinette Sugar Estate.
The commemorative ceremony marking the 191st Anniversary of the arrival of the indentured labourers in Mauritius at the Aapravasi Ghat World Heritage was graced by the presence of the President of the Republic of Mauritius, Mr Dharambeer Gokhool; the Prime Minister, Dr the Honourable Navinchandra Ramgoolam,GCSK FRCP; the Deputy Prime Minister, Honourable Paul Raymond Bérenger, GCSK; the Minister of Arts and Culture, Honourable Mahendra Gondeea,OSK; His Excellency the High Commissioner of the Republic of India to Mauritius, Mr Anurag Srivastava; and several other dignitaries.
In his address, Prime Minister Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam paid heartfelt tribute to the indentured labourers whose courage and resilience laid the foundation of modern Mauritius.
He stated:
“We must draw inspiration from the courage, dignity, and perseverance of the indentured labourers who arrived on our shores 191 years ago. Their spirit of unity, mutual respect, and patriotism continues to define us as a people.”
Recalling the global significance of the Aapravasi Ghat as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, The Prime Minister reaffirmed Government’s commitment to preserving and promoting the nation’s cultural heritage as a vital component of Mauritius’s identity and a key pillar of the tourism sector. He concluded by calling for the continued unity and pluralism that form the strength of the Mauritian Nation:
“Let us ensure the vibrant continuity of our pluralism, blending into one unified Nation that marches together towards a common destiny.”
For his part, the Minister of Arts and Culture, The Honourable Mahendra Gondeea, rejoiced that the legacy of the indentured labourers has been safeguarded and preserved through tangible and intangible heritage. He remarked:
“The footsteps of our ancestors changed the destiny of this country. It is our duty to value their journey, to protect this heritage, and to transmit it to future generations.”
The Minister also announced that Government has acquired the Cerné Docks for the extension of the Beekrumsing Ramlallah Interpretation Centre, which retraces the experiences of the indentured labourers and will further enrich the national heritage landscape.
As part of the commemoration, wreaths were laid by the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, the Minister of Arts and Culture, the High Commissioners of India and South Africa, the Lord Mayor of Port Louis, and the Chairperson of the Aapravasi Ghat Trust Fund.
An exhibition entitled “Threads of Memory, Bonds of Belonging” inspired by the living intangible heritage of indentured labourers was also inaugurated by the Prime Minister on this occasion.
As part of the event , a cheque of USD 25million was remitted by the High Commisiioner of India to the Prime Minister as budget support under the special Economic Package 2025
