Odias In Mauritius Want To Reconnect With Their Roots, Vow To Build Jagannath Temple In Island Nation

Kendrapara: At a time when Bhubaneswar is hosting the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD), around 300 delegates from Mauritius are expected to join the celebrations, according to reports. Moreover, a cultural organization of Odias in Mauritius, Odia Anusthana has vowed to build a Jagannath temple in Mauritius as a symbol of cultural restoration, reported the TOI.

The community had also urged Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi to help them reconnect with their culture and ancestral roots. Between 1842 and 1871, over 3,100 Odias had migrated to Mauritius as part of the larger Indian indenture system that began in 1834, the association’s secretary, Ramroop Juguarnauth told TOI. But their descendants lost touch with Odisha and its culture. Thus, the association urged CM Mohan Majhi to help them connect with their roots, expressing the desire to contribute towards the development of their ancestral villages in Odisha.

Jugurnauth, 63, a former civil servant from Mauritius represents this unique diaspora connection. His ancestor, Jagannath Das from Jajpur district was among the migrated Odias.

The association seeks to document the ignored history of Odia indentured workers in Mauritius. It also aims at exploring new opportunities for business and cultural partnerships.

“We, the Mauritians of Odia ancestry, are proud of our ancestors’ land and would wish, like other descendants from UP and Bihar, to be able to look for our Odia roots and families and to contribute to the development of our ancestral villages,” Jugurnauth, now a resident of Beau Bassin, told the New Indian Express.

The Prabashi Bharatiya Dibas, which aligns with India’s motto of “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat,” will serve as a platform for diaspora members to engage with India’s growth story. It is also aimed at exploring investments, and strengthen cultural and business partnerships.

The PBD celebration also coincides with Mauritius’ own commemoration of its indenture history, marked by the ‘Aapravasi Divas’ public holiday on November 2. In 1834, the first group of 36 Dhangar Hill Coolies arrived in Mauritius. This initiated a migration that would eventually bring over 450,000 Indian labourers to the Mauritius.