Telugu Bridges India–Mauritius Ties: President Gokhool!

Mauritius President Dharam Bir Gokhool said Telugu language and culture are deeply embedded in Mauritian society and serve as a strong cultural bond between India and Mauritius. Addressing the Third World Telugu Conference held in Guntur, he stressed that language, heritage, and culture strengthen relationships between nations, with the mother tongue playing a vital role. He underlined that protecting one’s mother language is not just a responsibility but a necessity. The President was accorded a grand welcome and honoured with the title “Bharata Mitra” by the organisers.

President Gokhool highlighted that Telugu is widely taught in Mauritian schools and that Ugadi is celebrated there as a national holiday. He noted that Telugu-speaking communities play a key role in Mauritius’ nation-building. Praising the efforts of N. Chandrababu Naidu, he recalled initiatives taken during Naidu’s 2003 visit to Mauritius to promote Telugu language and culture. He also appreciated Andhra Pradesh’s initiatives in quantum technology and AI-driven language skill development. Expressing concern over ancient languages facing threats due to globalisation, he called for meaningful discussions at the conference to strengthen Telugu’s global presence.