‘Mauritius keen to improve cultural ties with Pakistan’

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: Rhafic Janhageer, Mauritius high commissioner to Pakistan, has emphasized the need for enhancing cultural ties with Pakistan in a reception here on Wednesday.

“70 percent of the population of Mauritius originates from the subcontinent and Urdu is one of the more widely spoken languages in the country,” he said during the reception in honour of the famous Mauritius singer, Maya Ramadin, also known as “Mauritius Lata”.

The high commissioner said that many Indian and international films have been made in Mauritius, but Ajab Gul’s new film, ‘Kyun Tum Say Itna Pyar Hai’, was first Pakistani digital film to be produced there. The movie was shown at the occasion.

The high commissioner said that the country’s vice president was among the many delegates who attended the International Urdu Conference in Islamabad last March.

Maya Ramadin said that Ustad Rauf Mehdi and Ustad Mehdi Hassan Khan guided her towards the training and perfection of her voice. She also said that she was a great fan of Lata Mangeshkar and had great reverence for Ustad Mehdi Hassan. Ms. Ramadin was also one of the singers for Ajab Gul’s movie and is equally popular in India. She claims to be working towards brighter ties between the three countries.

Ajab Gul said that his experience of filming in Mauritius was marvellous and vowed to produce more films there. He deeply appreciated the cooperation and hospitality of the people of Mauritius and government.

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