Author:
Publication: Organiser
Date: September 8, 2002
On the occasion of Tulsi Jayanti
on August 15, 2002, the foundation stone laying .ceremony of the Ramayana
Centre was performed by Prime Minister of Mauritius Sir Anerood Jugnauth
at Rose Belle in Mauritius. The ceremony began by lighting of the traditional
lamp by Lady Sarojni Jugnauth. The simple ceremony of laying of foundation
stone turned out to be synergy of Hindu unity as people overwhelmingly
attended it.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Jugnauth
hailed the initiative as a historic event as Mauritius is the only country
of the Indian diaspora that has enacted the Ramayana Centre in its National
Assembly for the propagation of the perennial values of the Ramayana. He
stressed that it was very important to perpetuate human values, particularly
in the present context when crimes have increases family breakups and divorces
are frequent and moral commitment has lost its meaning. . He stressed that
only such socio-cultural organisations can in real sense be the answer
to today's social problems. He was convinced that the Ramayana Centre would
play a pivotal role for the moral and social uplift of the society at large.
Chairman of the Centre and the noted
Ramayana exponent, Rajendra Arun said that the Centre would be developed
as a learning centre to promote the teachings of the Ramayana, which has
been a constant source of inspiration and strength to Indian diaspora who
were lured into colonies to work in sugarcane fields. He pointed out that
the Ramayana consciousness continues to this day and Mauritius has been
blessed by destiny to have such an institution. Shri Arun said that the
Centre would provide a unique opportunity to Indian diaspora to join together
and work out a coherent approach for the global dissemination of the teachings
and values of the Ramayana. The Centre will offer research facilities in
the Ramayana and set up libraries in which the Ramayana in all languages
will be made available. A fifty feet high statue of Hanuman will also be
erected.
In a congratulation message, Prime
Minister of India Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee commanded this effort an praised
Mauritius for having preserved the living legacy of the Ramayana fondly
and scrupulously for succeeding generations. He was of the view that under
the able and scholarly chairmanship of Shri Rajendra Arun, the Ramayana
Centre will grow into a great institution of arts, culture and spiritual
learning, and serve as yet another shining symbol of the close ties between
Mauritius and India.
Swami Krishna Roopanand of Ramakrishna
Mission and Swami Pranavanand of Chinmaya Mission also blessed the gathering.
Indian High Commissioner Shri H.E. Vijay Kumar also spoke at the occasion.
(FOC)
