She was addressing participants of the Heroes' Day celebration organized by the High Commission and the Rwandan Community in India (RCA), Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka on February 8, 2026.
The event, held in a hybrid format to accommodate academic schedules, brought together members of the Rwandan diaspora, primarily students, in New Delhi's Chancery conference room for in-person attendance, while others from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and remote Indian states joined virtually via Webex, with technical assistance from Rwanda's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
In her remarks, the High Commissioner provided a detailed overview of Rwanda's history of heroism and the significance of Heroes' Day, established to honor those who sacrificed for the nation's survival and progress.
She urged the young Rwandan community to safeguard the values embodied by these heroes and the substantial achievements realized under the current government.
High Commissioner Mukangira highlighted various government programs designed to promote unity, cohesion, and national development, praising Rwanda's home-grown solutions as powerful affirmations of the people's ownership over their country's destiny.
She stressed the need to confront detractors who flood social media with false narratives aimed at tarnishing Rwanda's reputation. Armed with facts, she affirmed that the community could effectively counter these baseless accusations rooted in invented claims.
The High Commissioner also recounted the long history of colonial injustices inflicted on Rwandans, followed by the divisive ethnic and identity politics institutionalized by post-independence republics, until the country's liberation in 1994 by the Rwandese Patriotic Front.
During interactive discussions, she encouraged active participation in Rwanda's ongoing progress, specifically calling for financial contributions to the national program to eradicate cervical cancer.
Young Rwandan students from India and Sri Lanka, along with in-person attendees, shared insights, emphasizing the importance of emulating the courage of heroes who fought for Rwanda's survival and inclusive future.
They advised peers to uphold Rwandan values, maintain discipline, avoid drug use, and prioritize education and constructive endeavors.
The celebration concluded on a joyful note with a get-together featuring drinks, meals, and cultural songs honoring Rwandan heroes.
IGIHE
