Ramgoolam gifts $2.5 lakh to native village

Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam on Monday committed $2.5 lakh for construction of roads, a government hospital and a high school at his native Harigaon village in Bhojpur district. ''I am touched by the love and affection shown by the people of Bihar and the care taken by the Nitish Kumar government for the uplift of my ancestral village,'' he said addressing a dinner meeting at the Raj Bhavan in Patna.

Ramgoolam also announced that his government would provide scholarship to two students from Bihar pursuing subjects of their choice and interested in studying in his country every year.

Earlier, Kumar had welcomed Ramgoolam and his entourage saying the visit would strengthen social, cultural and economic exchanges between India and Mauritius.

Governor R S Gavai too expressed similar views. Ramgoolam congratulated Kumar for helping Bihar walk on the path for development. ''I am very glad to hear that under the stewardship of Nitish Kumar the state is witnessing significant progress.''

The Mauritius Premier concluded his speech in Bhojpuri showering praise on the people the state for the grand reception to him and his family. ''Gagan mein jab tak tare rahenge, jindagi rahi to milte rahenge (as long as there are stars in the sky, we will continue to meet each other in our life time),'' he said.

It gives one a warm feeling to treat our foreign guests in the most hospitable manner. I am sure that the guests have no complaints. I watched this news on NDTV 24x7 through DirecTV.