Port Louis, March 12 (IANS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Mauritius has over the years nurtured the Hindi language with great love and care as he officially launched the construction of the World Hindi Secretariat building in Port Louis on Thursday.

Addressing the gathering, Modi said the launch of construction of the building would make Hindi lovers very happy across the world.

He said the Hindi language "has got a lot of love, care and nourishment in Mauritius", adding that it would probably be more than the care the language has received in some places in India.

The Hindi literature in Mauritius is "written by the sweat" of the Indian indentured labourers, he said.

He also commented on the use of Hindi words in many languages, and noted that the word 'juggernaut' in the English dictionary is drawn from the word Jagannath, as in Lord Jagannath whose wooden chariot is pulled by devotees during the rath yatra in Odisha.

Mauritian Prime Minister Anerood Jugnauth was seated on the dais.

Modi said the launch of the building construction is a special moment and also greeted Mauritius on its National Day being celebrated on Thursday.