Port Louis, Mar 12: President Droupadi Murmu was on Tuesday conferred with the honorary degree of Doctor of Civil Law by the University of Mauritius, demonstrating the depth of bilateral ties.
Murmu, 65, is here on a three-day state visit during which she will be the chief guest at the country’s National Day celebrations on Tuesday.
“A special honour emblematic of the depth of India-Mauritius relations!
President Droupadi Murmu @rashtrapatibhvn conferred with the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Civil Law by @UniOfMauritius,” the Ministry of External Affairs posted on X.
In her address, President Murmu exhorted Mauritian youth to stay connected with India to nourish their proud past and invest in their bright future, it said.
She conveyed best wishes from the people of India on Mauritius’ National Day.
“I feel especially honoured to receive the honorary degree of Doctor of Civil Law from this prestigious university today. I hope that it will inspire all young people, particularly young women to discover their unique passion and pursue their dreams,” she said.
“I feel overwhelmed by the heart-touching affection and warm welcome I have been receiving since my arrival in Mauritius. It shows the enduring strength of India-Mauritius relations and the close people-to-people ties that nurture them,” she said.
“Standing among you all at the University of Mauritius today, I am reminded that education has been a key instrument in shaping this special relationship between our two countries, as well as the destiny of Mauritius. In 1901, Mahatma Gandhi inspired Indian indentured workers to educate themselves, resulting in their political and social empowerment, which led to the transformation of Mauritius.
“The subsequent visionary leadership of Mauritian leaders like Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam and Sir Anerood Jugnauth have built on this rich foundation, to create a vibrant, pluralistic and prosperous Mauritius, that inspires Africa and the world,” she said.
Murmu said the power of education resonates strongly with her at a personal level as education has been the single most important tool that has had a transformative impact on her life journey.
“This power of education resonates strongly with me at a personal level too, as education has been the single most important tool that has had a transformative impact in my own life journey. As the first woman from my village to receive a college education, empowering the vulnerable through education is a cause that has been close to my heart throughout my administrative and political career, and one that I remain devoted to,” she said.
“I believe that Universities like this are not just ladders to the dreams of aspirational youth; they are sites where the future of mankind is forged,” she said.
Recognising the transformative power of education and given that half of the Indian population is below the age of 25, the Government of India has made it a priority to educate and empower youth to lead India into the ‘knowledge economy’ of tomorrow, she said.
Prez Murmu conferred with honorary Doctorate
