Mauritius is one of the unique countries where there were no natives but all the people came from different countries ? namely Asia, Africa and Europe. While growing with time, these people of different origins today have built up a new and young nation in the history ? ?Mauritian nation?.

Yet the human desire to know about one?s root is irresistible. At the same time the natural tendency in these uprooted people is evident ? that is to preserve the culture and traditions brought by their forefathers.

Perhaps such desire to ?trace the roots? gathered about 2 800 delegates of Indian diaspora from all over the world in Mumbai from 9th to 11th January 2005. On the occasion of the 3rd ?Pravasi Bharatya Divas?, a delegation from Mauritius representing GOPIO (Global organisation of People of Indian origin), our vice-president and some of our ministers and individuals as well attended this conference.

Often questions are asked ? why this conference ? In fact the objectives of this conference are the following :-

Provide a platform for the economic & social empowerment of PIO & non resident Indians (NRI) around the world.

Promote the PIO cultural heritage and traditions.

Provide networking opportunities in fields of commerce, trade, investment, tourism & education, arts & culture.

Bring PIO and NRI from all countries to share their experiences.

Bring partnership in the economic, social cultural, scientific, technological medical fields and entrepreneurship.

For the first time, the government of India has created a new ministry of ?Overseas Indian Affairs? to look into the above objectives.

The Indian diaspora spreads all over the world. It is estimated to be 20 million. These diaspora Indians have contributed immensely to the countries of their adoption with their dedication and hard work. India recognises that these diaspora Indians look back to India as the source of their roots and the new minister of Oversea Indian Affairs, Honorable Jugdish Tylkter is very determined to address the needs of PIO community and NRI.

India as an emerging economic giant is attracting huge interests for both trade and investment around the world. It is scientifically forecast that India would be one of super powers in the year 2020. It is already an accepted fact that no other countries can really compete with India in software IT. India surely has special consideration for those countries where the population consists of a large number of Indian origin.

The conference was highlighted by various workshops on interesting subjects where co-operation from PIO and NRI could really benefit their countries of adoption ? like ? education and science, IT, health, economic and commercial exchange arts and culture, youth in politics.

The conference also included discussions on disaster management ? which treated widely Tsunami, the sudden national disaster resulting havoc and loss of many human lives in the Indian Ocean.

The session ?Tracing the roots? had brilliant participation from eminent personalities like our Basdeo Pandey from Trinidad, professor Dr Mohan K. Gautam from the Netherlands. In this context, the presentation from Mahatma Gandhi Institute about the efforts put by the government of Mauritius to establish a computer system to trace one?s roots in India and its approach to Unesco to preserve Aapravasi Ghat as an International heritage spot was very well appreciated by the delegates of other countries.

The countries having Indian diaspora as the parts of its population surely can collaborate to create co-operation for the common benefits. Along this line of thinking, the president of India A. P. I. Abdul Kalam requested the PIO and NRI to set up an ?Overseas Indian Research Foundation? to help develop the technology to predict natural disasters like tsunami.

The president also appealed to the PIO and NRI in these words. ?Enrich the Nations that you live in, not only in financial terms, but also with your honour and self dignity.? He requested the Indian diaspora to shine wherever they are with their ?sweat, knowledge and dignity?.

It is already true in Mauritius where the Indian immigrants have achieved remarkable progress through immense sacrifices and harships. While being the important component of the Mauritian nation, the Mauritians of Indian origin still try hard to keep the culture, religion, language and traditions which were brought by their forefarthers years ago.

Such desire is also evident in the other components of the Mauritian nation having their roots in other parts of the world like, France, Africa, China. Efforts are already there in this connection by creating Le Morne Heritage Trust Fund in memory of the slaves who were brought to Mauritius 170 years ago.

No wonder our prime minister reflected this emotion in his speech during his visit to China that he chose to make official visits to those countries first where the roots of the Mauritian people are to be found, namely ? India, France, Madagascar, Mozambic and China.

Let us hope that each Mauritian preserving the culture and traditions of the roots of his or her origin, is proud of only one nation ? ?Mauritian? having the ?Unity in diversity? in the real sense of the terms, without creating many compartments in conflicts based on religion, race, communities and caste.

by Ranjita BUNWAREE