Mauritian nationals celebrate country’s 49th Independence Day |15 March 2017
Mauritians nationals working at Constance Ephelia Seychelles at Port Launay, on Sunday celebrated their country’s 49th Independence Day with a small gathering at the team resort field at the resort.
The occasion was marked by a flag raising ceremony with the singing of the National Anthem of Mauritius, speeches by distinguished guests, prize giving ceremony for the Mauritius Independence Cup cricket tournament during the past week,
refreshment including Mauritian food and snacks, and musical show by both Mauritians and locals.
For good measure, the venue was decorated in the national colours of the Mauritian flag.
It is worth noting The Constance Group is a Mauritian entity, founded in 1920, and has since 1975 expanded its interests to other sectors such as energy, property development, banking and tourism.
It was on March 12, 1968 thatMauritius, an island in the Indian Ocean, gained its independence from Great Britain which ruled the island from 1810 to 1968. Mauritius was jostled between the hands of the Dutch, French, and later by the British after the Napoleonic War. Port Louis is the country’s capital and Creole, French, and English are among the languages spoken in the island nation. Mauritius got its name in 1598 from the order of Admiral van Warwyck of the Dutch expedition. Elections in 1947 for the newly created Legislative Assembly marked Mauritius's first steps toward self-rule and the island became an independent state on March 12, 1968.
Present at the celebrations were Kai Hoffmeister, general manager of Constance Ephelia Seychelles, members of the organising, welfare and management teams, staff and friends of Mauritius.
Mr Hoffmeister congratulated the organising committee for what he described as the wonderful set up and the whole week of celebrations and activities organised where everyone came and enjoy together.
“Today I’m very thankful for being able to celebrate this day with you, especially those who are away from their families, from friends. Today we are your family,” said GM Hoffmeister.
Vishal Bhageeritty, Food & Beverage manager, thanked all those present describing their presence as testimony of the great importance they attach to their country’s independence day.
He went through a little bit of history of Mauritius to those present.
“It gives me great honour to look back in time and recall how Mauritians have transformed their economic landscape through development and established a new economic pillar.
“Over the years we have been able to develop a public and private sector working model that many may refer to,” Mr Bhageeritty says.
As for the cricket competition organised during the week to mark the anniversary celebrations, it was a two-day tournament which ended last Sunday. There were six teams – 1 Mauritian, 1 Nepalese, 2 Indians and 2 Sri Lankans with A and B team. Both Sri Lankan teams won both prizes with runner up cup going to Sri Lanka A Team while the Sri Lanka B Team was declared the winner.
