Patil strikes right chord with Mauritians
Source: The Sangai Express / Laishram Shamungou
Port Louis, April 27 2011:
On the third day of her visit to Mauritius, President of India Pratibha Devi Singh Patil laid floral wreath at the Le Morne memorial sending out a clear message to the world on India's position to any form of slavery.
Situated along the sea coast on the south east, not far from Mauritius's capital Port Louis, Le Morne is a rocky peninsula highlighted with an eponymous single standing basaltic rock at a summit of 556 metres above seas level.
Around two centuries back, this place used to a hideout for runaway slaves.
After the abolishment of slavery in Mauritius, a police expedition travelled to the rock on 1 February 1835 to tell the slaves that they are free people.
However, the slaves misunderstood the expedition and jumped to death.
Since then, February I every year is observed by Mauritian creoles as Annual Commemoration of the Abolition of Slavery.
Along with construction of a memorial, the area has also been declared as a World heritage site today.
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President Pratibha Devi Singh Patil laid floral wreath at the very spot where the slaves jumped to their death and went around to inspect the sculptures erected depicting the suffering of the slaves.
Prior to her visit to Le Morne, President Pratibha Devi Singh Patil went to Ganga Talao, a sacred religious site of the Hindus, to pay her obeisance.
She also poured 60 litres of water brought from river Ganges in India at Ganga Talao and participated in a religious rites performed there.
Located 1000 feet above the sea level, Hindus in Mauritius believed that Ganga Talao is connection with the river Ganges in India.
The four-day long visit of India's President to Mauritius is due to conclude tomorrow.
Before wrapping up her visit and heading back to India, President Pratibha Devi Singh Patil would be addressing a joint meeting of the business delegates of India and Mauritius and visit the Mahatma Gandhi Institute at Moka where she would offer floral tributes at the status of Mahatma Gandhi here.
She would also be honoured along with offering degree of doctor honoris causa by the Mauritius University.