President Ram Nath Kovind laid the foundation stone of proposed ENT hospital & inaugurated Hindi Secretariat in Mauritius. He was accompanied by the PM of Republic of Mauritius Pravind Jugnauth.

On March 12, Mauritius was set to celebrate 50 years of its independence with passion and joviality and Indian President Ram Nath Kovind was the chief guest at the series of colourful events to mark the occasion.

In 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the chief guest on the occasion. India has special historic and cultural partnership with Mauritius. When the country got independence in 1968, renowned Indian jurist and then chief justice of Allahabad High Court, Bidhu Bhushan Malik, was deputed by the government of India to draft the constitution of the recently independent country.

In view of Kovind's visit, stress mounted on Fakim to resign to save the Indian dignitary from the mortification of having to establish diplomatic talks with Fakim.

Fakim has so far not bowed out of office but going by the growing pressure, it looks inevitable and remains only a question of time.

According to some informed sources, she has not been included in any of the formal and ceremonial events in the run-up to the Independence Day functions. The message is loud and clear.

In the meantime, Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth met Fakim on March 9 and the latest indications that a date for her departure has been decided.