A reception was hosted by the United States Embassy in Mauritius, to mark the 248th anniversary of the independence of USA, yesterday, at the Intercontinental Resort in Balaclava. The President of the Republic of Mauritius, Mr Prithvirajsing Roopun, and the Prime Minister, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, were among the attendees.
The Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Housing and Land Use Planning, and Minister of Tourism, Mr Steven Obeegadoo; the Attorney General and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Mr Maneesh Gobin; the Ambassador of the United States of America to Mauritius, Mr Henry Victor Jardine; members of the Diplomatic Corps; and other personalities, were also present at the event.
The anniversary of the USA’s independence is celebrated each year on 04 July. The Day celebrates the Second Continental Congress’ unanimous adoption, on 4 July 1776, of the Declaration of Independence. The document marked the colonies’ official separation from Great Britain and the establishment of the United States as a sovereign nation. The Fourth of July also known as Independence Day has been a federal holiday in the U.S since 1941.
An exhibition centred around the theme Protecting the rights of the people with disabilities and showcasing the potential of Para athletes, was also held.
Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Jardine emphasised the longstanding relations, cooperation and achievements of Mauritius and U.S. The bilateral ties, he noted, have been further reinforced with the collaboration of both countries in the fight against drug trafficking, maritime security, trade and investment. He expressed the hope that relations between both nations will reach new heights of success with the renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act.
He highlighted the shared values and principles of Mauritius and the U.S that revolve around democracy, inclusiveness and equality while reaffirming his commitment to partner with the Government and the people of Mauritius to strengthen mutual interests and advance common ties and values.
Referring to the Day, Ambassador Jardine underlined that it is an opportunity to fundamentally reflect on past experiences since the independence of America.. “It is a reminder to acknowledge that the USA remains a work in progress”, he said, while stressing on the importance of creating a more democratic and inclusive society that extends the promise of equality to all regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, and disability.
With regard to disability, he indicated that it is an ideal theme to celebrate the achievements of people with disabilities and to continue protecting their rights. He commended the Government for having come up with a landmark legislation, the Disability Bill, to ensure that all Mauritians are recognised as equal members of the society. “This year, we are committed to promoting the rights of the disabled and signify the strong dedication to upholding democracy and shared values of both Mauritius and USA”, he stated. The Embassy has around 26 associations working to promote the rights and welfare of the people with disabilities, added the Ambassador.
Highlighting the potential of people with disabilities, Ambassador Jardine mentioned that the Paralympic Games in Paris, provides an essential platform to demonstrate the potential of those with disabilities and celebrate the remarkable achievement of Paralympians who have gone through most daunting obstacles to achieve success. He thus lauded the exceptional performance of Mauritian and American Para athletes in international competitions adding that they are an inspiration to many.
As regards upcoming projects, Ambassador Jardine spoke of the construction of a new embassy in Moka, which will be equipped with adequate facility and infrastructure to cater for people with disabilities.
