A group of Indian diaspora children in the Maldives, who performed a traditional dance to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his state visit, described the experience as “unforgettable” and “surreal.”
PM Modi, who arrived in Male on Friday for a two-day visit, was welcomed with a cultural reception at the Kurumba Village Resort. As part of the event, children dressed in traditional Indian attire performed a classical dance — a gesture that left a lasting impression on both the young performers and their families.
“It felt like a dream,” said one of the dancers. “After our performance, he asked the security to remove the barricade and came up to us, applauding each one. It was a once-in-a-lifetime moment.”
Another child added, “We had practised for weeks. I never imagined I’d see the Prime Minister up close, let alone perform for him. He smiled and waved at us — I’ll never forget it.”
Parents present at the venue described the interaction as deeply emotional. “He even played with my child. His energy is powerful but kind — you can tell he truly loves children,” said a member of the Indian community.
Another parent said, “We stayed up nights preparing for this moment. Watching him acknowledge the children made everything worth it.”
Prime Minister Modi landed in Male to a ceremonial welcome by President Mohamed Muizzu, with traditional honours and chants of ‘Vande Mataram.’ The PM is visiting the island nation as the Chief Guest for its 60th Independence Day celebrations — his third visit to the Maldives and the first by any foreign head of state during Muizzu’s presidency.
The visit is part of India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and signals continuity in New Delhi’s outreach to the strategically located Indian Ocean nation.
— IANS