Rwanda will continue to inspire not just Africa, but the whole world

Editor,This letter is with reference to the article in yesterday’s issue of The New Times , titled “ Gabon switches to English, says its emulating Rwanda.”It is very encouraging to see how Gabon and other countries in the region are looking up to this small, but beautiful country located in the heart of the African continent and are emulating the example set by Rwanda, be it regarding a transition from French to English , good business practices or even with regard to zero tolerance to corruption.The strides made by the country over the last eighteen years since the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi have been exemplary and this is evident from the constant advancement in world rankings, year on year.We, in India, too, would do well to take a leaf from Rwanda’s UMUGANDA - the community service programme on the last Saturday of every month. This type of activity is something very much needed today in my country.The students from Rwanda who are studying in Bangalore, Pune and in the other cities of India, always strive to showcase Rwanda’s rich cultural heritage and tell the Rwanda success story, in their own unique way of song and dance . Just last week, we had a group of five young ladies who travelled all the way from Bangalore to Mumbai to perform a series of traditional Rwandan dances at the Indian Merchants’ Chamber, before a distinguished audience of Consul Generals, Trade Commissioners and other dignatories present at our Chamber to celebrate World Tourism Day.Yes, Rwanda will continue to inspire not just Africa, but the whole world!Clarence Fernandes

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Rwanda will continue to inspire not just Africa, but the whole world