Mauritius President Visits Ayodhya; Avoids Janmasthan
President of Mauritius Anerood Jugnauth today offered prayers at various temples, but did not visit shrine of Lord Ram at the Janmasthan site, apparently to avoid controversy. As per schedule, Jugnauth was supposed to visit the shrine, sources said.
After offering prayers at Asharfi Bhawan temple, where he spent over half an hour, President Jugnauth said he was thrilled by “the spirituality” in India and would take the “sweet memories” of his visit to the his country. He also met Hindu saints during his second and the last day of visit.
The President, however, refused to comment on skipping the famous shrine. Jugnauth also inaugurated a flying club and training academy, set up by an Mauritius citizen of Indian origin R P N Singh, at Faizabad airport. In his inaugural speech at Faizabad airport, the President said Ayodhya is a place which is prominent on world map, but there is no air-connectivity to the twin city. He hoped soon air-services would be started for Faizabad.
Treated as the state guest, President Jugnauth arrived in Faizabad from Lucknow last evening and was given
warm welcome at the circuit house with the guard of honour. He was received by the District Magistrate M P Agrawal and Senior Superintendent of Police R K S Rathore.