Breaking away from the usual practice of delivering statements in English or Hindi, Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), has won widespread appreciation online after addressing a diplomatic briefing in Bhojpuri.
The gesture, aimed at highlighting the deep-rooted ties between India and Mauritius, has since gone viral on social media.
Mr. Jaiswal chose Bhojpuri to mark Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam’s recent visit to Varanasi, a city that holds immense cultural significance for Indo-Mauritian relations.
Bhojpuri, spoken by a large section of the Mauritian population, traces its origins to the indentured laborers who migrated from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh during the colonial period.
Greeting viewers warmly, Mr. Jaiswal said: “Namaskar sab logan ke, Ganga ghat se Banaras aur Assi Ghat se, khaskar hamni ke parivar jo Mauritius me rahel raha” (Greetings to all from the Ganga Ghat in Banaras and Assi Ghat, especially to our family living in Mauritius).
The MEA shared the video on social media with the caption: “India–Mauritius relations: A new chapter. Listen in Bhojpuri!”
The video has already clocked nearly 90,000 views, sparking a wave of positive reactions. Many users praised Jaiswal’s fluency and applauded the move as a refreshing cultural outreach.
“Always heartening to hear Randhir Jaiswal ji in Bhojpuri. Namaste from Mauritius,” one user commented, while another added: “You speak really good Bhojpuri, sir.”
Some viewers also highlighted the cultural significance of the initiative. One wrote: “The MEA spokesperson’s Bhojpuri skills are quite endearing. Sadly, the Bhojpuri film industry has at times diluted the language’s heritage, so this is a proud moment.”
Another user suggested that similar briefings be carried out in other regional languages, calling it a “welcome desi-style update.”
Notably, this is not the first time Jaiswal has turned to Bhojpuri for official communication. Earlier this year, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Mauritius in March for the island nation’s National Day celebrations, the MEA spokesperson had also addressed the media in Bhojpuri.
The latest move is being hailed as a small but powerful step in “cultural diplomacy,” reinforcing the emotional and linguistic bonds between India and its global diaspora.
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