its 10 am
I am at Aapravasi Ghat
This place has a great significance for any Indian
Hundreds of Indians were brought in Mauritius in 1834
They were promised for contractual job for 5 years
Mauritius used to produce 7% of world's total sugarcane in those days
That is why Indians were brought here as labourers to work in sugarcane plantations
These labourers were brought from India, China, Cameron and other countries
Around 5 Million indentured labourers were brought here
from all over the world by the British
Of those almost 97% people were Indians
Most of them were from the modern Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Tamil Nadu
People were brought from these places
This is how 'India' reached Mauritius
Almost 68% of today's Mauritians are descendants of those Indians
These are the first 16 steps of Aapravasi Ghat from where the passengers/labourers used to enter Mauritius after landing from the ships
A few years back some of the land area from Aapravasi Ghat was taken for making the bus terminal
until then this ghat used to be quite a big place,
This highway used to be a railway line in the British raj
This is a small shack
People in India were said that they will have to work for 5 years and then they can return back to India
It used be a contract for 5 years
Indians opted to come to Mauritius because they were promised that they will not be treated as slaves
That era was famous for slavery all over the world
Indians kept coming to this country for many years
a family of almost 10 people used to live in such small shacks
So in reality, the living conditions for them were not so good as they thought before coming to Mauritius
but it was still better than India, that's why most of them opted to stay here for another 5 years
although they had to face problems like unpaid salaries, etc.
so their condition was almost like slaves
they were promised 5 Rs/month wage and better health facilities
but in comparison the the drought, starvation and unemployment in India, Mauritius was still better for them
So they stayed here and never went back to India
Their contract got renewed for further 5 years
After 10 years, they became the citizen of this country
Now I am going back. Some school kids are waiting outside
Aapravasi ghat tour demands at least 45-60 minutes
This is the main market of Port Louis, capital of Mauritius
We have just come here from Aapravasi Ghat
Let me check the price of the local sim
Emtel Sim - 100 Rs / 86 Rs talktime / etc.
Pay 51 Rs for 1 GB internet data per day !!
lets check the price of Banana, coconut, etc..
Lemon for 5 Rs...
let me take you to meet someone
talk to him, please
are you from Mumbai?
First Bangladeshi in Mauritius
How are you?
Where are you from?
Sylhet
I am from Asansol
Have you heard about this place?
Do you know Kazi Nazrul Islam?
What is this?
How much for this?
Everything Vegetarian
You'll get all these things with Roti in 12 Rs
This is Dal Poori
Even this is for 12 Rs
Thanks buddy
What is the name of this market?
Central Market
10 rs for Coriander
10Rs for Mint leaves
Chilli for 140 Rs
50Rs/kg Tomotoes
80 Rs for Okra
& Sonu Nigam is also singing here
This market resembles Indian Market
but without cow and dogs
also not very chaotic, unlike India
quite clean and organised
1 coconut water for 40-50 Mauritian Rupee
For 50 you get more water
Whats is your name?
Satish
My forefathers came from Bihar, India
I want to visit India, but don't get free time from this work
I have 4 children
3 girls. 1 Boy. They go to School
1 daughter is married
I am from Delhi and now visiting this country
Our driver is very strict.
He always wants us to be on time.
but where is he now?
where is our coach!!
Has everyone left me?
I am not able to contact them
dont have anybody's number
I want a wifi to contact them
we have wifi in our car, so I didn't buy a sim
but the gentleman behind me is guiding me to that bank
he says, there I can get free wifi
got connected! wow!
After the traditional vegetable market, now we are in a modern business district
My friends are there
Over there is an Indian restaurant called Namaste
You may also like to visit this place
One gentleman wanted not to shoot in his shop
he makes exclusive handmade designs
so now I am not going to shoot in this market
you can also visit this craft market
its 2:20 pm
We just had lunch
She owns this restaurant
I ate this...
a vegetarian meal
What is the price of the things we just had here?
600 - 750 Rupee per meal
You can get the authentic local meal and ambience at this place
They do not have wifi here
So just talk with each other and relish the creole food
I also want to say something
You should try Octopus curry
Actually, he had a non-vegetarian meal
I had a Vegetarian meal
I tried my best to offer him the non-veg things, but...
But I didn't eat
he just tasted the curry
no no.. he is just kidding
You can get a good view of Port Louis from Fort Adelaide
The rainbow is looking so beautiful
I think this is the best season to visit Mauritius
This is July
They say July to September is a good time
its 4 pm
We have reached our new hotel, Sofitel
Earlier we stayed in Zilwa Attitude for 2 nights
Now we are at Sofitel
this is my room
wow!
wow!
wow!
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