Arrival of Indentured Laborers Day, also known as Indian Arrival Day, is observed in Mauritius every November 2. This public holiday commemorates the arrival of Indian laborers in 1834, following the abolition of slavery in the British Empire. The British, needing workers for sugar plantations, began bringing indentured laborers from the Indian subcontinent, many of whom were deceived by recruiting agents and faced harsh working conditions. By 1838, around 25,000 Indian indentured laborers had arrived in Mauritius. The day celebrates the significant contributions of Indian immigrants and their descendants to the economy and culture of the island. Today, approximately 68% of Mauritius's population is of Indian descent, with 48.5% practicing Hinduism.