Modi praises contribution of Indian indentured labourers

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday praised the contribution of the Indian indentured labourers for taking Mauritius to new heights of development and progress by dint of their hard work.

Speaking -- to loud cheers and chants of "Modi, Modi" -- at a civic reception at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute here, the prime minister said when the world praises the development of Mauritius, the "credit comes to our (India's) account".

"The people who came here as indentured labourers, today they have taken the place to new heights through their labour and suffering, but the credit comes to our account, when people ask about the development in Mauritius, as all were from India," he said to loud clapping.

He said Mauritius has "won me over" and thus increased his responsibility.

Modi assured that "India will do everything to live up to its responsibility" towards Mauritius.

He saluted the Indian community for the progress and development of Mauritius.

"If people see Mauritius, they can judge how India will be, for when the sample (Mauritius) is good, how will then the (godown) be," he said, taking the example of mangoes.