Mauritius: In the context of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Mauritius and the Republic of India, an Ayurvedic Garden was inaugurated this afternoon, at the State House in Réduit, by the President of the Republic of Mauritius, Prithvirajsing Roopun, in the presence of the Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Home Affairs and External Communications, Minister for Rodrigues, Outer Islands and Territorial Integrity, Pravind Kumar Jugnauth.
The objective of the Ayurvedic Garden is to bring awareness about medicinal plants utilised in alleviating different maladies of humanity for more than 3000 years in Ayurveda.
The Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Housing and Land Use Planning, Minister of Tourism, Louis Steven Obeegadoo; the Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Education, Tertiary Education, Science and Technology, Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun; several Cabinet Ministers; the High Commissioner of the Republic of India, K. Nandini Singla; members of the diplomatic corps; and other eminent personalities attended the event.
In his address, the President of the Republic stated that the Garden would remain a permanent testimony of the deep-rooted relationships shared between Mauritius and India and the continued collaboration that had existed over the last 75 years.
“This fruitful partnership has led to the realisation of landmark projects in all sectors, the latest ones being the Metro Express, the new Supreme Court building, and the signature of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA), among others,” he said.
The President expressed his expectations that the Indo-Mauritian ties would continue to thrive and evolve for the welfare and well-being of the two nations.
According to President Roopun, the Garden offered insights into the ancient wisdom of Ayurvedic medicine and traditional knowledge, aligning with the plans of the Government to set up an Ayush Centre of Excellence in Mauritius at Côte d’Or. He announced that new varieties of plants unavailable in Mauritius would be brought in from India as the Garden would be further extended.
The President also commended all the partners that had enabled the creation of the Garden, namely the Indian High Commission, the Indira Gandhi Centre for Indian Culture, the Ministry of Ayush of India, the Ayurveda Chair of the University of Mauritius, as well as various Ministries, and governmental agencies.
President Roopun described the main features of the Ayurvedic Garden. The Garden is situated near the State House for easy access, over a land area of 3,400 m2, and comprises 60 types of Ayurvedic plants with medicinal properties. The plants bear an identification plate and a QR Code, enabling instant access to additional information.
A kiosk also provides visitors with a panoramic view of the adjacent luxuriant valley and the Port Louis Moka Mountain Range. An old unutilised swimming pool has been converted into a pond adorned with lotus and lily flowers, and an ancient incinerator dating back to the colonial period has been restored.
For her part, the High Commissioner of the Republic of India recalled that the United Nations and the World Health Organisation recommended holistic health care that went beyond conventional medicine. She thus explained the concept of Ayurveda as the knowledge of life that advocated for a healthy lifestyle.
“The philosophy of Ayurveda is that well-being is a default setting, ill health is abnormal,” she said, adding that Ayurveda was built to prevent non-communicable diseases.
The Indian High Commissioner also listed the endeavours which showed how Mauritius had become a flagship partner in promoting Ayurveda. These include the grant of a legal status to Ayurveda; the setting up of six clinics dispensing Ayurvedic treatment; and the forthcoming establishment of the first global Centre of Excellence for Ayurveda in Côte d’Or for treatment, research, teaching and medical tourism purposes.
On this score, Mrs Singla apprised that the blueprint for the centre had been finalised.