Prime Minister, Dr Andrew Holness, got a first-hand look at carefully preserved Indian artefacts and received an account of the country’s history and culture, during a tour of heritage sites on Wednesday, October 2.

The day was observed as a national holiday in India, marking the anniversary of the birth of inspirational and influential Indian figures, Gandhi Ji and Shastri Ji.

Dr Holness had the privilege of visiting India’s Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s constituency of Varanasi, which is the home of the world-renowned River Ganges and several other iconic religious and cultural sites.

He also toured the hallowed grounds where Buddha delivered his teachings.

Dr Holness said the experience was “very enlightening… seeing, first-hand, artefacts carried over and carefully preserved for the ongoing education of Indians on their powerful spiritual and religious heritage”.

Dr Holness said the experience caused him to reflect on Jamaica’s rich history and heritage and how important it is to preserve and pass down such information for future generations.

“This is how we inspire national pride and ensure that our people are knowledgeable about our past as a country and are inspired as we move into the future,” he said.

The prime minister was in India on a working visit from September 30 to October 3.

He was accompanied by a delegation comprising Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, and Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Information, Skills and Digital Transformation, Senator, Dr Dana Morris Dixon.