aTP- Arab tourism portal News- Many Seychellois of Indian origin turned up at the Seychelles Hindu Kovil Sangam Temple in Victoria prayers for Seychelles former Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine Minister Alain St.Ange.
Speaker after speaker at event underscored how pivotal minister has been in taking country’s tourism industry to much greater heights.
and in bringing special recognition to the Indian community of Seychelles by launching the Seychelles-India Day Celebrations.
Minister St.Ange
The most touching speeches came from Hindu devotees — who said they are “ordinary” people — who gave testimonies of how Minister St.Ange “went out of his way to receive, help or recognise them” in Seychelles, abroad or during travel.
“Even though the minister was travelling in the Business Class and I was in the Economy.
at one stage he waited for me,we dined together, said one speaker, explaining how humbled he was by experience.
Others who included prominent businessmen and a renowned lawyer said it was with gratitude that they hosted the special Pooja at the Quincy Street Seychelles Hindu Kovil Sangam Temple, but also with mixed feelings because they “will miss the former minister’s special contribution and support to their community”.
“We wish you best in your bid to serve tourism industry at highest international level, but we will miss you,” said one of speakers.
But the minister reassured them by saying even if he secures the World Tourism Organisation’s secretary general’s post he is pursuing, “I will always return to Seychelles from time to time”.
am a humble Seychellois from La Digue and I will, naturally come back home from time to time, said Mr St.Ange.
With regard to the much gratitude he received, Mr St.Ange said all he did was in line with his job.
adding it was his duty to also say “thank you” to the Indian community for supporting his initiatives.
Thanking the late founding President Sir James Mancham for initiating tourism in Seychelles, the speakers said former President Albert Rene.
and former President James Michel nurtured the industry, but said it was Mr St.Ange who gave it the biggest thrust to propel it to where it is now.
Europe, Asia and Africa yes
On the culture front, the former minister responded to the Hindu’s gratitude for promoting their recognition by saying: “We the Seychellois stem from three continents: Europe, Asia and Africa yes, but we all know that historically we come from five main branches France, Africa, the UK, India and China”.
“We celebrated days focusing on other two pillars of origins, with events like the Francophonie activities, FetAfrik and Creole Festival .
So why not a Seychelles-India Day or Seychelles-China Day,” he said, thanking the Indians for their cooperation with efforts to get them to celebrate as Indian Seychellois regardless of their cults of origin” said Mr St.Ange as he called the Indian Community gathered as friends.
Mr Veera Pandiyan Pillay, Chairman of the Seychelles Hindu Kovil Sangam used the celebrations to present Mr St.Ange .
With a letter of thanks and also of endorsement for his bid as the Seychelles Candidate for the Post of Secretary General of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).
This is the second group to dedicate a special evening for the outgoing Minister.
Some two weeks ago Seychelles Hoteliers organized special farewell ceremony at Barbarons Beach Hotel say thank you to former Minister.
special thanksgiving prayers for former Minister St.Ange
