Mauritius announces 2 hrs special leave for Hindu public officials on 'Pran Pratishtha' day

In a significant move, the Mauritian government has approved a special leave of two hours for public officials of Hindu faith on January 22, coinciding with the Pran Prathista ceremony of Ram Lalla at the Ayodhya Ram Mandir in India. This decision aims to enable individuals of Hindu faith to actively participate in local ceremonies and celebrations on this auspicious day. The official statement from the Mauritian Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth,  on Friday,  read, "(The) Cabinet has agreed to the grant of a one-off special leave of two hours on Monday 22 January 2024 as from 1400 hours to public officers of Hindu faith, subject to exigencies of service, in the context of the inauguration of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir in India, which is a landmark event as it symbolises the return of Lord Ram in Ayodhya."

The Pran Prathista ceremony is scheduled for January 22, and it will witness the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The move to grant special leave reflects the Mauritian government's recognition of the significance of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir inauguration and its commitment to facilitating the participation of Hindu public officials in the joyous celebrations surrounding this historic event.