In an effort to help Indian origin citizens -- especially from Bihar -- in Mauritius trace their ancestral village or residence, the Mauritius government has launched an initiative called 'Trace Your Roots'.Besides, a special cell -- Bihar Roots Foundation -- has been set up in Mauritius to strengthen the cultural ties with Bihar.

The initiative was made public by Bihar Roots Foundation president Goorooduth Chuttoo, who is accompanying Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, who is on a three-day visit to Bihar.

Chuttoo told rediff.com that the Bihar Roots Foundation is planning to set up a Mauritius House in Patna soon to strengthen the cultural roots and ties with Bihar. The primary aim of the Foundation will be to connect the people of Bihar origin to their ancestors, propagate and preserve their language, Bhojpuri, and promote Bihari heritage on a global platform.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who visited Mauritius last year, said he understood the pain of Mauritians of Bihar origin, desperate to discover their ancestral lineage.

He added that his government would collaborate with Mauritius to prepare a comprehensive database of all Biharis, who had migrated to the Indian Ocean country.

On the last day of his visit, Ramgoolam visited remains of the historic Nalanda University in Nalanda and the Mahabodhi temple in Bodh Gaya.