President Droupadi Murmu addresses Indian diaspora in Paramaribo, Suriname

President Droupadi Murmu lauded the Indian diaspora in Suriname as an important pillar of the deepening partnership between India and Suriname.

 

President Droupadi Murmu lauded the Indian diaspora in Suriname as an important pillar of the deepening partnership between India and Suriname. The President said this while addressing a gathering at the Independence Square in Paramaribo, on the occasion of the commemoration of 150 years of the arrival of Indians in Suriname yesterday. 

The President said that she was happy to note that despite the vast geographical distances, the different time zones and cultural diversity, the Indian diaspora has always remained attached to their roots.

 

The President said that at a time when Suriname is celebrating the legacy of its ancestors and its links with India, India stands with Suriname in solidarity and reverence.

The President also said that India-Suriname bilateral relations are based on shared aspirations for development. The President is on a 3-day state visit to Suriname.

   

Yesterday, at a ceremony held at the Presidential Palace, President Murmu was conferred with the highest civilian honour of Suriname ‘Grand Order of the Chain of the Yellow Star’ by the President of



Suriname. 

In her acceptance remarks, the President thanked President Santokhi and the Government of Suriname for bestowing upon her this honour. She also dedicated the honour to the successive generations of the Indian-Surinamese community, who have played a stellar role in enriching the fraternal ties between the two countries.

 

Earlier in the visit, delegation-level talks were conducted and 3 MoUs were signed between the two countries. Two MoUs were signed in the field of Health and one in the field of Agriculture. The Government of India also announced the extension of the OCI facility to the 5th & 6th generation of Persons of Indian origin in Suriname, a long-standing demand of the Indian diaspora living in Suriname.

 

On the concluding day of her visit, President Murmu visited the Lallarookh Museum, dedicated to preserving the history and cultural heritage of the Hindustani population in Suriname. She also offered prayers at the Arya Dewaker Mandir, the largest temple in Suriname and Shri Vishnu Mandir, headquarters of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha in Suriname.

 

Later in the day, a community reception will be hosted by the President for the Indian diaspora in Suriname. Thereafter, President Murmu will depart to Belgrade for the second leg of her visit.