Navratri: Gujaratis organise Garba Raas in Antananarivo, Madagascar

The Gujarati community in Madagascar has organised Garba and Dandiya nights to celebrate the festival of Navaratri. ANI reported that the community members in Antananarivo, Madagascar were seen sporting bright lehenga cholis and colourful dandiya sticks at the event. The thumping music at the event gripped the city with Dandia fever. Madagascar is home to a significant number of Gujaratis, a part of the Indian diaspora who mostly reside in cities like Antananarivo, Antsiranana, and Mahajunga, since more than a century. 

Gujaratis - a major part of Madagascar’s society 

Gujaratis occupy a significant place in the society and economy of Madagascar. Apart from the Khojas, Bohras, Ismailis, Sunnis and other Hindus make a total of nearly 25000 of the total population. A Hindu temple is also under construction in Madagascar’s Antananarivo. The construction of this temple, in an area of 6000 square meters, is likely to be completed by the end of this year. 

Read: Navratri cheer at Ahmedabad Airport, watch passengers playing Garba

Garba wearing PM Modi’s mask 

As the spirit of the Navratri festival in India is escalating in all the creative ways, a group of people in Surat were seen performing Garba wearing PM Modi’s masks. Apart from this, the youngsters in Surat were also seen painting tattoos on their bodies to raise awareness on various social issues during Navratri. The Modi fandom was seen painting their body with the portraits of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump during preparations for Navratri. 

Read: Bajrang Dal's garba diktat; asks organisers to insist on Aadhaar

Garba to increase road safety awareness 

A group of people were seen performing Garba at the VR mall in Surat on September 30. The group members explained that "Wearing helmet and seatbelt is for one's own safety and it should be followed by all. It should not be a forceful action by the government as it does not benefit them in any way. People should make it a habit to wear a helmet and seatbelt so that they can enjoy all the festivals for a longer time in their life".  

Read: Garbage Hunt: Internet challenge getting people to clean up surroundings

Read: Surat locals celebrate Navratri doing Garba in Modi mask; Watch

(With ANI Inputs)