Fifth Seychelles-India Day - Celebrations start today |06 October 2017

The fifth Seychelles-India Day officially starts today and the three days of celebrations from October 6 to 8 are set to be one of the most memorable since its inception in 2013.

This was the impression received yesterday in a press conference attended by the Minister for Youth, Sports and Culture Mitcy Larue; Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine Maurice Loustau-Lalanne; the Indian high commissioner for Seychelles Asuf Sayeed; the chairman of the Seychelles-India 2017 committee Ramu Pillay and the first chairman N. Ramini.

“This year will be a very special one as the activities also involve sports,” Minister Larue stated during the conference.

Indeed great emphasis has been put on sports during this year’s Seychelles-India Day celebrations, most of which have already taken place including a chess competition, badminton tournament and marathon.

But the sporting highlight of the celebrations is expected to be the speedy chess tournament, whereby an estimated 18 local chess players are set to take part in a simultaneous game with chess grand master Vishwanathan Anand.

Considered as one of the greats in chess, Vishwanathan Anand is the first Asian to not only win the World Championship in this domain but also retain the title three times over.

In this regard Minister Larue said this tournament will be an immense opportunity for young aspiring chess players of Seychelles to play against one of the world’s greatest.

Another interesting event that the general public will be able to attend is a musical gala where noteworthy Indian Bollywood sensation Neha Basin, MC Madonna Tixeiria and the music band Thaikkudam Bridge along with other performers will entertain the audience.

The popular Indian cuisine is also on the menu as the celebration will also see a two-day fun and food fair.

On his part, Minister Loustau-Lalanne has affirmed the tourism’s department continued support towards the Seychelles-India Day while noting the ever-increasing entry of Indian tourists in Seychelles.

Seychelles-India Day in particular acts as a promotional boost for Seychelles in India, he emphasised.

Minister Larue also announced that next year’s celebrations will be held from July 28-30 in order for it to not clash with the organisation of the Festival Kreol as is the case this year.

This announcement was well received by Minister Loustau-Lalanne who said that the celebration will be held a fortnight before the Indian Independence celebrations, and hence will act as a stimulus for Indian tourists to visit Seychelles.

“If it requires that we put additional flights eventually, because of its success, to Bombay with Air Seychelles we shall do it,” he stated.

High Commissioner Sayeed also welcomed the decision to push back the event earlier in the calendar year and said the Indian high commission will keep extending its support to the event.

He also added that the change will lessen the pressure on the ministry’s resources as well as that of the Indian diaspora who also takes part and contributes to the Festival Kreol.

The general public is encouraged to join in the celebration in order to strengthen Seychelles-India ties.

The line-up of activities for this week-end is highlighted in the accompanying programme.