The groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion of Maharashtra Bhavan in Moka, Mauritius, was held in the presence of BJP state president Ravindra Chavan. On this occasion, Chavan said that the bond between Maharashtra and Mauritius goes back generations, and despite being separated by oceans, the Marathi community in Mauritius has preserved its cultural roots with immense pride.
The ceremony for the extended Maharashtra Bhavan was recently completed in Moka with Chavan as the chief guest. Attendees also expressed their gratitude for the ₹8 crore funding allocated for the project under the initiative of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Key discussions on cybersecurity, AI, and tourism
During his two-day visit to Mauritius, Ravindra Chavan met several top leaders to further strengthen India-Mauritius relations. He paid a courtesy visit to Mauritius President Dharambeer Gokhool at his official residence, where discussions covered key areas such as bilateral ties, the blue economy, tourism, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity.
Calling Mauritius “India’s younger brother,” President Gokhool praised the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and expressed gratitude for India’s continued support.
Chavan also held important meetings with Mauritius Foreign Minister Dhananjay Ramful, IT and Innovation Minister Dr. Avinash Ramtohul, and Arts and Culture Minister Mahendra Gondeea. Dr. Ramtohul recalled his student days at Fergusson College and presented his book on artificial intelligence. He also appreciated the transparency brought into Maharashtra’s ration distribution system through GPS technology, and emphasized that Mauritius needs India’s support to position itself as a gateway for AI development in Africa.
Discussions also touched upon cultural exchange, strengthening library networks, and pushing for UNESCO recognition of the traditional Jagari dance.
A key highlight of the visit was the foundation stone laying ceremony for the expanded Maharashtra Bhavan in Moka. The project, being developed at a cost of ₹8 crore under the leadership of Devendra Fadnavis, is expected to further strengthen Marathi identity on a global stage. The local community also strongly supported a proposal to name the auditorium after Swatantryaveer Savarkar.
In addition, Chavan participated in cultural initiatives including events organised by the Mauritius Marathi Mandali Federation, distribution of grants under “Maha Ganeshotsav 2025,” and attendance at the Bihar Festival alongside India’s High Commissioner to Mauritius, Anurag Srivastava. These engagements further reinforced the presence of Indian culture abroad.
Chavan also interacted with several prominent members of the Marathi community in Mauritius, including MP Arvin Babajee, religious leader Guruji Santaram Raju, Federation President Balraj Naru, Cultural Centre Trust Chairman Dhanirao Bhivajee, and Marathi Speaking Union President Bhalchandra Govind.
Additionally, grants from Maharashtra’s Cultural Department were distributed to various institutions, including Melrose Shri Gajanan Saraswati Temple, Mont Roches Marathi Mitra Mandal, Vitthoba Rakhumai Maratha Temple, Dagotière Marathi Shiv Temple, L’Esperance Marathi Ganoba Temple, Providence Marathi Mitra Mandal, and Palma Marathi Sabha.
The visit is being seen as the beginning of a new chapter in Maharashtra–Mauritius relations.