Antananarivo: The Indian community in Antananarivo, Madagascar celebrated Diwali with cultural programmes which included a fashion show, Indian dance performances among others.
Madagascar has a strong Indian community numbering about 17,500, mainly from Gujarat. They are settled in different parts of Madagascar and play a key role in the society and economy of Madagascar. They also celebrated the Gujarati New Year that follows Diwali, on the occasion.
Indian expats in Madagascar mostly speak Gujarati fluently and celebrate all major Indian festivals. A grand Hindu temple is under construction in Madagascar’s capital Antananarivo, and is likely to be inaugurated in early 2022.
India’s rich cultural heritage was displayed during the Diwali celebrations in this Indian Ocean island nation.
The event was attended among others, by Herimanana Razafimahefa, the President of the Senate of Madagascar, Ministers of Agriculture, and Public Security, Ambassadors of various countries, senior members of the Malagasy Government, members of Indian diaspora and the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) alumni.
The celebrations began with lighting up of lamps the President of the Senate, Ministers and Ambassadors and the President of the Hindu Samaj, and Ambassador Abhay Kumar. Speaking on the occasion, the Ambassador highlighted the meaning and spiritual significance of the festival of light, victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance and hope over despair.
Ambassador Abhay also highlighted the various celebrations being undertaken by the Embassy under the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav to commemorate 75 years of India’s Independence and conveyed the historic achievement of one billion milestone cumulative COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in India, emphasizing that the milestone was achieved in just about nine months since the start of the vaccination drive.
Razafimahefa said that India and Madagascar are brotherly countries and he is very happy to join in Diwali celebrations. On this occasion, Sanjeev Hematlal, President of the Hindu Samaj announced 100 million Malagasy Ariary (~27,000 USD) towards welfare of the people suffering from drought in South Madagascar, which was warmly welcomed by the President of the Senate of Madagacsar. Indian community in Madagascar has been providing a helping hand in the drought affected South of Madagascar.
– global bihari bureau
