Kigali, Rwanda: On April 7, 1994, Rwanda entered the darkest period of its history. As depicted in the Hollywood film Hotel Rwanda, and in various other films and books, the genocide against the Tutsis led to a loss of up to one million Tutsis and moderate Hutus in 100 days. During this period, Hotel des Mille Collines became a shelter for a terrified crowd fearing for their lives. Up to 2,000 people were saved by the hotel opening its doors to citizens fearing for their lives. Some gave birth, others got married and, most importantly, all of them were given the chance to have a future.
It is in this hotel, Vice President Hamid Ansari met the President of the Senate of Rwanda, Bernard Makuza, on Monday and presented him the copy of the Constitution. "We were delighted to host the Vice President of India. The hotel is frequented by international tourists who want to know about the history, particularly because many of them have seen the movie," said Paul Kato, marketing manager of the hotel.
Ansari's gesture signified the highest importance being given by India to the history of Rwanda that shaped the lives of not only the sufferers of the genocide but also the Indians who formed a significant part of this struggle for revival. Ansari was served an eight-course meal here, with famous Indian chicken and fish curries on the menu. Incidentally, it was a Pakistani national Ubed Rehman, the executive housekeeper of the hotel, who got a chance to serve Ansari and decide the lavish Indian menu.
Vice President Hamid Ansari with President of the Senate of Rwanda Bernard Makuza before a meeting in Kigali on Monday | PTI
Speaking in Hindi, Rehman, who was earlier working in Iraq, said that Rwanda is reaching out to the world community with lessons in peace and brotherhood. Rehman said he was happy to have got a chance to meet the Vice President. Today, the hotel has 70-80 per cent occupancy on a daily basis, where volcano safaris and visit to the genocide memorial top the list of must-visit places by foreign tourists.
The memorial has pictures of the deceased men, women and children, victims of worst kind of brutality that brings shame to humanity. Fresh flowers are kept on graves, some open ones, keeping memories of their loved ones alive. But amid this despair, the management of the memorial is gathering messages of peace for its future generations. On sheets of paper, whoever visits the memorial, can leave a message of peace and harmony that are collected and read out to children of Rwanda.
