In a significant diplomatic and cultural engagement, the President of Mauritius, Dharambeer Gokhool, expressed his nation's ambition to follow the developmental blueprint of Andhra Pradesh. He highlighted AP's unique fusion of cultural heritage and technological advancement as a model for Mauritius.
A Spiritual and Diplomatic Visit to Tirumala
President Gokhool, along with his family, commenced his visit with an early morning prayer at the sanctum sanctorum of the iconic Tirumala temple on Wednesday. He was warmly received with traditional honours by a delegation of Andhra Pradesh leaders and Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) officials.
The welcoming party included Andhra Pradesh Endowments Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, TTD Chairman BR Naidu, Executive Officer Anil Kumar Singhal, and Additional EO Ch Venkaiah Chowdary. Following the darshan, the President received Vedasirvachanam (Vedic blessings) at the Ranganayakula Mandapam, where the TTD management presented him with sacred prasadams and a portrait of Lord Balaji.
Praising Andhra's Model and the Teaching Profession
Later, at the Sri Venkateswara Veda Vignana Peetham in Dharmagiri, President Gokhool addressed students and shared his personal journey. He revealed that he rose from the teaching profession to become the President of Mauritius, underscoring the immense respect and vital role teachers hold in shaping modern society.
Reflecting on his previous visit for the World Telugu Conference, which allowed his family to have darshan of Lord Venkateswara, Gokhool lauded Andhra Pradesh's progress. "Andhra Pradesh is progressing with a strong foundation of culture, tradition, and modern technology," he stated. He added that Mauritius is making dedicated efforts to draw inspiration from this model for its own national development. The President also commended the Indian tradition of Atithi Devo Bhava, noting Indians are at the forefront of honouring guests.
A Concrete Outcome: Vedic School for Mauritius
The visit culminated in a major announcement with long-term cultural implications. President Dharambeer Gokhool declared that a decision has been taken to establish a Vedic school at the Harihara temple currently under construction in Mauritius. This initiative will be developed with the guidance and suggestions of the TTD, forging a new link between the spiritual and educational traditions of India and Mauritius.
Before his departure, Vedic scholars from the Peetham offered their blessings to the President and presented him with another portrait of Sri Venkateswara Swamy, symbolizing a continued spiritual connection.
