I am presently ending my 3-year tenure as director of the Indira Gandhi Centre for Indian Culture (IGCIC) and it is not without emotion that I am taking leave of this lush green beautiful country. I have a special feeling for Mauritius - that was born while I was still in the plane, which initially brought me here. To work in a calm, green, unpolluted environment, with a clear, starry sky at night, has been invaluable.

Mauritius has developed at a very fast pace. Yet, if you look backwards, there is something of a prodigy in what manpower realised in what was formerly a desert island. The ICT sector has expanded in an impressive way; new towers have risen after the cybertowers, without affecting the invigorating quality of the environment.

I also enjoyed my stay since I could feel at home here. Mauritians are warm, welcoming and cultured. I did not feel estranged. There are so many values and traits you have in common with India: we share the Indian culture, the diversity of languages, beliefs, festivals, as in a colourful garland?

I have a very good recollection of the Maha Shivaratree festival, walking with other pilgrims, at the same time appreciating the beauty of the mountains, the freshness of the landscape, the bluest skies and the rainbows. Unforgettable.

As director of the IGCIC, I have always appreciated with grateful thanks the encouragements, the support and reward from the Mahatma Gandhi Institute, socio-cultural organizations, the press, the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation and their regular coverage of the activities at the IGCIC. The Mauritian government has also provided me full support, particularly the Ministry of Arts and Culture in the task of promoting Indian culture and various cultural activities.

I have an experience of foreign countries, from Hungary to Thailand, from precedent missions for the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, but that homely feeling of working with close friends in Mauritius is unrivalled. I pay tribute to the vibrant way in which Mauritians encourage younger generations, to retain the language and culture of their ancestors, the devotion with which Aapravasi Divas is celebrated.

I would like to conclude by saying people here have been as sweet as their locally nurtured sugarcane. I wish all the best to them. I am sure the already existing friendly relationships between India and Mauritius will further strengthen.