66th Year -- No. 3662 Tuesday, March 23, 2021 www.mauritiustimes.com facebook.com/mauritius.times 18 Pages - ePaper MAURITIUS TIMES l The pandemic has given everyone the opportunity to slow down their lives and take a moment for themselves. -- Viva Motwani Water: Sustainer of Life

Epidemic mortality was very high suggesting that short-term measures needed to be supplemented It has been said that this will be a by a more fundamental and long-term approach to century of water wars, not only to vie for public health policy in the island the resource among nations, but using water as an instrument to wage war The Spanish Influenza of 1919: Dr R Neerunjun Gopee + See Page 3 Lessons to Learn By Sada Reddi + See Page 4-5 Le Militantisme

Ces organisations citoyennes, ni de gauche ni de droite, ne sont pas les Simply vaccinating people in one's own héritiers du militantisme country is not enough. It is in the interest of every nation to ensure that all people around Par Jack Bizlall + See Page 9 the world are being vaccinated Do we have a moral Meeting the World's Coronavirus duty not to get sick? Vaccine Needs By Vittorio Bufacchi, Senior Lecturer, Department of Philosophy, University College Cork By Anil Madan + See Page 6-11 + See Page 2 Mauritius Times Tuesday, March 23, 2021 www.mauritiustimes.com Edit Page facebook.com/mauritius.times 2

The Conversation Scaling Up Vaccination: A Must Do we have a moral duty he major challenge to countries in the The worst affected will be retail shops, management of the Covid pandemic and restaurants, 'snacks' and cosmetic services. Tits surges and waves has been to ‘get the Some might not survive the 2nd one,’ concluding not to get sick? trade-offs right between lockdowns, economic that ‘on a brighter note, once our borders re- damage and the spread of the virus’, as pointed open and when vaccinations reach critical mass, Covid-19 requires us to make ethical decisions out in an issue of The Economist of February 6, that will surely boost our 85% economy.’ like Ancient Greeks and Romans 2021. In our local context, this same idea was First things first – we must reach critical expressed by economist Eric Ng Ping Cheun in mass in vaccination before we open our borders an interview to this paper last week as follows: which will help the economy to recover. ‘Gérer un pays, c’est savoir gérer les risques, Based on the demographic profile of en l’occurrence les risques sanitaires et écono- Mauritius with a population of 1,379,265 (July miques, en même temps. Tout l’art de gouver- 2020 estimate) and an age structure classified ner, c’est de savoir créer les conditions d’une as 0-14 years and 15-24 years rather than 0-18 bonne santé économique tout en faisant years, one can make a rough estimate that the respecter en public, dans la discipline, les con- population of Mauritius under 18 years of age signes sanitaires (port du masque, distanciation could be one million. Since at least 60% of the sociale). population must be vaccinated for the country to Nous devons apprendre à vivre avec le coro- be relatively Covid-safe and therefore consider navirus, sachant que le risque zéro n’existe pas. opening of borders, this means that at least Faute de quoi, l’économie mauricienne, qui n’est 600,000 people need to be vaccinated. déjà plus résiliente, avancera à reculons.’ 100,000 doses of the Covishield vaccine In fact, as we have had occasion to point out have already been used, the remaining 100,000 earlier, experts now coming round to the view having been kept for the second dose to those of that the Covid-19 is going to become a sea- the first batch. So that means achieving vacci- sonal one like the flu virus and that we will have nation in another 500,000 people at the mini- to live with and adapt to it as we have done for mum. At the rate of 9000 per day this works out influenza – except that it is a more complicated to 55 days – or 100 days if we want to be safer Anti-mask and anti-lockdown groups are now widespread around the world. Jacob King/PA matter given the variants that have been emer- still by vaccinating all the remaining 900,000. he personal ethics of Covid- allow me to publish my satirical car- ging. In other words, in 3 months we can serious- 19 are a minefield. Over win- toons. My right to an education puts ly think of opening borders – provided we can In a report just released by AXYS, it notes ter, disputes over our duties others under a duty not to harm me scale up our vaccination campaign, and in light T that ‘The Mauritian economy has proven to be to one another with regard to the on my way to school. My right to of the Covid situation in the outside world, espe- relatively resilient running at an estimated -85% virus dominated Thanksgiving, health implies a duty on my country cially in our export and tourist markets. This of pre-pandemic of levels (an “-85% economy”) Christmas and New Year and they to provide some healthcare services, implies having the necessary resources, starting given that the hospitality is effectively shut and continue to raise questions with to the best of its abilities. consumption has slowed.’ with having sufficient doses of vaccine. many people are back in lockdown. This is arguably the dominant The Covaxin rollout has already begun. While underlining that ‘there remain many Now, with vaccines being rolled out interpretation when philosophers talk Bharat Biotech, the vaccine's manufacturer has palpable downside risks for the economy going around the world, questions have about rights, including human rights. forwards’ the report points out that ‘the silver li- released results from its phase 3 clinical trials, arisen about how the vaccinated and ning is that Mauritius has started its vaccination the reported data on the vaccine from phase 1, non-vaccinated should behave. Life, liberty and the pursuit 2, and 3 trials involving around 27,000 partici- campaign.’ All these debates revolve around of happiness pants. And the data have shown that it has an It continues with ‘we've been better prepared a single question – is it our moral Rights play a crucial role in mo- efficacy rate of 81%. In India nearly one million for a confinement this time round. Work Access obligation not to get sick in a pan- dern politics and ethics, and rightly people have already received the vaccine, and Permits (WAPs) were delivered within days; demic? Philosophy holds some of so. We cannot think of modern life in the vaccine rollout in India is closely monitored those able to work-from-home were likely up and the answers, which I explore in my the west without reflecting on hard- by its 34-year-old surveillance programme for running with less friction; supermarkets, banks book on the ethical lessons of lock- fought rights. A law was approved in monitoring ‘adverse events’ following immuniza- and the stock-exchange were only shut for a down. France in 2018, for example, which day; while the hospitality industry's been effec- tion. There are two main rival models gives citizens the “right to make mis- tively shut down for a year. Manufacturers are So our priority now should be to vaccinate as of ethics: one is based on rights, the takes” in dealings with the govern- unlikely to see their exports orders cancelled many people as possible as soon as possible by other on duties. The rights-based ment without being automatically and logistical disruptions will be smaller thanks working out a new strategy, which should model, which traces its philosophical punished. This is to be welcomed. to an operational harbour and Air Mauritius include instilling trust in the population so as to origins to the work of John Locke in But what started as a right to life, maintaining weekly flights to selected destina- get back to normal with their cooperation. That’s the 17th century, starts from the liberty and the pursuit of happiness tions. the only viable way forward. assumption that individuals have has evolved to justify many other rights. In its most zealous expression claims, including the right to get sick, Mauritius Times it also adds that there are things no or at the very least the right to risk person or group (especially the getting sick. Founder/Editor: Beekrumsing Ramlallah - Aug 1954-Sept 2000 state) may do to individuals without Editor-in-chief: M. Ramlallah / Senior Editor: Dr RN Gopee violating their rights. Under this This epaper has been produced with the assistance of model, individuals have a right to life, Vittorio Bufacchi, Doojesh Ramlallah, Sultana Kurmally and Kersley Ramsamy liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Senior Lecturer, Department of Pearl House 4th Floor Room 406 - Sir Virgil Naz Street, Port Louis According to this approach, Philosophy, University College Cork Tel: 5-29 29301 Tel/Fax: 212 1313 duties are related to rights, but only in a subordinate role. My right to free www.mauritiustimes.com facebook.com/mauritius.times [email protected] speech puts you under a duty to * Cont. on page 12 Op-Ed Mauritius Times Tuesday, March 23, 2021 3 Water: Sustainer of Life It has been said that this will be a century of water wars, not only to vie for the resource among nations, but using water as an instrument to wage war

e take water for placeable resource.' granted. It's only Scientifically, we know Wwhen we don't get that life as we know it can- it that we realise its impor- not exist without water, nor Dr R Neerunjun Gopee tance. But under normal cir- can it be sustained without cumstances, when just at water. We'll leave the the turn of a tap clean water scientists to pursue their flows and we make use of it, we spare no thought for its search for the origin of life value to life, to us, or that 1 in 3 people in the world live in the watery matrix. Our in areas where there is no safe drinking water, accor- focus as common mortals ding to the United Nations. Because of this unaware- should be to be concerned ness, we have a tendency to waste water - opening the about how water sustains tap at full flow, when we could just as well make do with life - and that means all a reduced flow, or closing the tap in between when we aspects of our lives and are, for example, doing the first thing in the morning, living wherever we are, namely brushing our teeth. and how we can help in Each one of us can multiply many times the occa- ensuring that this is done sions or situations where we act so irresponsibly and as efficiently as possible. thus waste water when millions of others are going with And this does not demand less of it, or have none at all. In fact, again according to of us rocket science, we the UN, at the rate we are going, by 2025, half of the only have to activate our global population will be living in areas where water is Photo - 3.bp.blogspot.com common sense to unders- scarce. In fact, it has been said that this will be a centu- tand what we have to do: ry of water wars, not only to vie for the resource among Each one of us can multiply many times the occasions or situations use only as much as we nations, but using water as an instrument to wage war. need of potable water i.e. By the erection of dams for example, across water “ where we act so irresponsibly and thus waste water when millions of do not waste, and se- sources that irrigate contiguous countries without first others are going with less of it, or have none at all. In fact, again according condly collect natural discussing and signing mutual agreements on equitable to the UN, at the rate we are going, by 2025, half of the global population will water for other uses such sharing and other related issues. be living in areas where water is scarce. In fact, it has been said that this will as gardening, cleaning etc. We must extend the In many other aspects of life too we, especially in the be a century of water wars, not only to vie for the resource among nations, developed world, act very unconscionably, and we need harvesting of rain water in to be prodded liked little children to behave properly - but using water as an instrument to wage war…” households. unfortunately, but that's the reality isn't it? Otherwise The value and impor- why would there be World Days - a device used by the tance of water has been and competition. Even if you don't believe it, water UN to goad us into an awareness of a major issue that dealt with in ancient Indian literature comprising the scarcity is real. And, our inefficiency of using water sus- concerns all of humanity, and that it hopes will make us Vedas (the oldest heritage of mankind), Brahmanas, tainably can cost too much to the future generation.' get rid of some of our selfishness. But also assume Upanisads, Puranas, and Smrtis, where it has been proper responsibility not only for ourselves and our fa- And that is why the theme of World Water Day 2021 treated spiritually, philosophically, cosmologically, me- mily and community, but take a broader sweep to con- is 'Valuing Water' and highlights the importance of con- dically, and poetically. Water is regarded as the primor- sider other human beings too. serving water and its value. As the UN website says, dial substance from which the universe came into being, 'The value of water is about much more than its price - And so the world observes World Water Day on and is considered as occu-pying the highest place water has enormous and complex value for our house- March 22. It aims at informing people about the signifi- amongst the five basic elements pañcamahabhutas: holds, food, culture, health, education, economics and cance of fresh water and sustainable management of its akasa (ether, substratum, space), vayu (air), teja or agni the integrity of our natural environment. If we overlook resources. This follows from a UN General Assembly (radiation, energy, or fire), apa (water), and prthivi any of these values, we risk mismanaging this finite, irre- resolution adopted on December 22, 1992, which later (Earth). These five bhutas constitute the physical uni- declared March 22 as World Water Day, and is 'cele- verse. Air is said to have been generated from space, brated' around the world since 1993. The focus of this fire from space, water from fire, and earth from water. day, according to the UN website is to 'support the ac- No, we don't need water as an elixir, In other cultures, water has been described as the hievement of sustainable development goal (SDG) 6: and should not regard it as such elixir of life, an elixir being a mythical, mythological or water and sanitation for all by 2030.' magical liquid that confers immortality which alchemists either. It suffices that we regard it as As for the Significance of Water, who can deny that “ searched for in vain. So much the better really, isn't it? 'water plays a key role in socio-economic development. that which, beyond all else, is vital to sustain Who wants immortality of the physical kind? Providing vital services to the human population, water not only our lives but all lives on earth - plant, No, we don't need water as an elixir, and should not is needed for human health and livelihood. Without its regard it as such either. It suffices that we regard it as existence, we can't think of food, oxygen, and the human animal, human - with which we are inextricably that which, beyond all else, is vital to sustain not only our population.' linked in an interdependence based on lives but all lives on earth - plant, animal, human - with But we also need reminding that 'though 71 percent networks that evolution has established which we are inextricably linked in an interdependence of the Earth's surface is covered by water, only 2.5 per- based on networks that evolution has established over cent of it is fresh and is good for humans to consume. over millions of years. And that we must millions of years. And that we must do our utmost to Though the natural recycling process has kept the do our utmost to learn about and to learn about and to preserve at all costs. amount of freshwater fairly constant on Earth, the preserve at all costs…” Water is life, period. exploding human population has increased the demand Public Health Mauritius Times Tuesday, March 23, 2021 4 The Spanish Influenza of 1919: Lessons to Learn Epidemic mortality was very high suggesting that short-term measures needed to be supplemented by a more fundamental and long-term approach to public health policy in the island Sada Reddi tion of the elected members of the Council, Municipal Corporations and pidemics are never the Boards of Commissioners of the mere physiological different towns. According to J. Mid- Ephenomena - they are dleton, the officer responsible for the invariably shaped by social, administration of the colony, a commit- economic and political tee to prepare for the epidemic had processes they collide with. been set up and he had given the The epidemic influenza of green light to his advisers to set up 1919 was the worst epidemic hospitals, to spend liberally on food for that the world had faced. In the poor and to provide them with Mauritius too, the epidemic medical help. caused brought about 12,000 The committee anticipated that the deaths, but the worst hap- epidemic would strike with the grea- pened in 1867 when the test severity the town of Port Louis. malaria epidemic killed about Temporary hospitals were set up to 40,000 people. In 1919, it was accommodate 1000 patients with pro- the political, economic and vision for soups, milk and medicines. social factors that significantly In Plaines Wilhems, temporary ac- affected the course of the epi- commodation was provided for 300 demic and impacted the popu- patients at Rose Hill and Beau Bassin, lation. 200 in Quatre Bornes, 100 in Phoenix and 400 in Curepipe. A private hospital Breakout of the Photo - sciencemag.org of 75 beds was equipped and opened Spanish epidemic “The epidemic influenza of 1919 was the worst epidemic that the world had faced. In in Curepipe. The Royal College provid- The Spanish epidemic ed accommodation for 500 patients. It Mauritius too, the epidemic caused brought about 12,000 deaths, but the worst happened voted liberally to spend money to deal itself broke out in northern in 1867 when the malaria epidemic killed about 40,000 people. In 1919, it was the political, France in the military camps in with the epidemic and Rs 50,000 were April 1918. On their way back economic and social factors that significantly affected the course of the epidemic and disbursed initially; Rs 22,000 worth of to their homelands, the sol- impacted the population…” vaccines were im-ported from Durban. diers carried the epidemic into Measures taken country and prices of foodstuffs and other goods had their respective countries. It initially spread in two waves Though the colonial government took a number of increased considerably. The poor deprived of adequate and was followed by a third one; it reached North Africa measures, these were not made public. Arrangements food were suffering from malnutrition and other di- in May, China and India in June. Global deaths were were made to get all doctors to put their services at the seases. On the other hand, sanitary conditions in Port estimated to be between 50 to 100 million. disposal of the government for the treatment of the sick. Louis had deteriorated considerably; malaria was rife in Mass vaccination was advocated by the authorities; Before the epidemic reached our island, the people the island and particularly so in the capital. Even before 70,000 doses of vaccine with two inoculations per per- as well as the authorities were well aware of the threat, the epidemic reached the island, the people had been son were made available, but not everybody was willing through information in local newspapers and articles debilitated by wartime conditions and were suffering to get vaccinated. Vaccinations also took place in vil- they carried about how to combat the disease, although from malaria, ankylostomiasis and beriberi. District and lages and were carried out in Chinese shops. there was then no remedy. For example, there was an other hospitals were overcrowded. article by Dr A. Chauffard, Professor of Clinical Medicine Private doctors were assigned to public dispen- at the University of Paris in the Journal de Maurice on 7 In January 1919, although there was officially no saries: H. Sakir at Taher Bagh, Dr Piarrouxar at Rue la January 1919 about the history of the epidemic and case of Spanish influenza in the colony, cases of fever Paix and the two dispensaries in Ward IV, Dr Louis at measures to contain it. Another article in the same news- were on the rise and the municipal doctor had to do up Triple Esperance, Dr Laurent at Grand River North West. paper by Dr Pratt Johnson, Director of Clinical Research to 60 consultations per day. Dr Edgar Laurent devoted Dr Acham was put in charge of a Chinese hospital Laboratories gave favourable views about preventive two days of consultation in the dispensary in the Eastern demanded by the Chinese community. It was opened 15 inoculation. With the authorities and the public well Suburb, Port Louis, his constituency. There was 'an epi- days after the outbreak. Dr Laurent provided free con- informed of the evolution of the epidemic, the colonial demic of diarrhoea developing into dysentery which sultations; other doctors came to Port Louis in the mor- government must have thought that it could contain the affected thousands of adults and children'. The ning and left at night. At Bois Savon, a Chinese hospital, disease reasonably well. Municipal Council had to provide food for the poor in no cases of death were reported amongst those who their respective wards and Rs 5 were recommended for had been vaccinated. Dr Acham vaccinated himself to Mauritius at the end of World War I the deserving poor. inspire confidence. There were some deaths among those vaccinated but they were fewer compared with the Moreover, the country had gone through unprece- Appointment of Committee dented prosperity as a result of high sugar prices during unvaccinated. At the beginning of the campaign, there the First World War, and there was no shortage of Before the government officially notified the outbreak was no provision for immediate relief in many of the tem- resources to face the epidemic. But war conditions, of the epidemic in May, a committee was appointed in porary hospitals, and a great number of people died on despite increased wealth, had considerably affected the December 1918 and carefully considered a scheme for the first day of admission without proper care. health of the population. There was a general food shor- providing treatment to the sick, distribution of food, re- * Cont. on page 5 tage during the War: there was not enough rice in the gistration of deaths and burial. It secured the coopera- Public Health Mauritius Times Tuesday, March 23, 2021 5 The Spanish Influenza of 1919: Lessons to Learn

and by 6 June, Rs 131,000 had been form Rs 60 to Rs 48. spent and another Rs 500,000 were There were some protests too. There released to combat the epidemic. was again riot at Rivière du Rempart at 'La The response of the public to the epi- Boutique Martin'; a crowd comprising demic was marked by growing solidarity. Creoles, Indians, women and children Many individuals, companies and organi- entered the shop to ask for rice. The zations helped to alleviate poverty and to police had to be called and there was a provide support for the sick and the poor - skirmish as the crowd moved to the shops - the Union Catholique, the Loge de La of Ay You and Fok Sam. At Nouvelle Triple Espérance, Hindu and Muslim France, Indians asked for more retailers to organisations. GM Issac asked those who sell Burmese rice. Some profiteering also had stocks of rice to sell them to govern- took place. Milkmen sold milk of which ment at reasonable prices to feed the 60% was water at 30-40 cents a bottle. A poor. He collected Rs 20,000 among his shopkeeper sold camphor at 10 cents Clayton Apparatus disinfecting a street in Port Louis during the epidemic friends to help the poor and for burials. Mr apiece. Indian rice which cost 22 cents Pezzani helped the whole town and not was sold at 40 cents, Siam rice at 36 cents only his ward. A Tamil organisation had and peanut oil at 5 cents, manioc at 18-20 Despite financial and medical assistance and the mobilizing efforts been visiting suburbs of the capital distri- cents and sweet potatoes at 20 cents. of the government and the public, epidemic mortality was very high buting money coupons of Rs 3 to the sick Workers, butchers and bakers asked for “ irrespective of race and religion. higher wages and food vouchers were suggesting that short-term measures needed to be supplemented by a more Managers of schools put their buil- exchanged for rum. Rice shortage conti- fundamental and long-term approach to public health policy in the island. The nued during the epidemic and shopkee- British colonial administration was considered to have failed in its public dings at the disposal of the authorities to be used as hospitals. Religious orders pers forced people to shift from rice to health policy not so much for lack of organization and assistance during the such as the Couvent des Lorettes, Notre maize. Coach drivers asked for 3 to 4 epidemic but for long-term neglect of sanitation in the island, particularly in Dame de Bon Secours and the Filles de rupees for a trip from Rue Brabant to the town of Port Louis…” Marie put their disciples and administra- GRNW that was 3 to 4 times the usual tive organisations at the disposal of go- price. vernment. Dr Momple took charge of the Balfour Report public that those who spit in certain places hospital of L'Union Catholique. The * Cont. from page 4 In the end, despite financial and me- would be fined. The sanitary authorities Chamber of Commerce provided food for The epidemic broke out in May 1919 dical assistance and the mobilizing efforts were invested with powers 'to remove to the sick, up to 12 eggs per day. One third and that might have been due to the ne- of the government and the public, epi- hospital any person affected by the of the fund raised by L'Oeuvre Anglo- gligence of the authorities in waiving off demic mortality was very high suggesting Spanish influenza which cannot be treated Franco Mauricienne was diverted to hel- quarantine for a ship from France. Two that short-term measures needed to be at his home to the satisfaction of the sani- ping the poor. cases of the disease were identified on supplemented by a more fundamental and tary authority and shall be detained until Flat Island and in the Eastern Suburb, Many of the rich 'in near view of death' long-term approach to public health policy complete recovery and discharged by the Port Louis. Earlier a few cases of influen- and the more charitable people subs- in the island. The British colonial adminis- medical officer of the hospital'. Posters za were noted in Port Louis and Curepipe, cribed large sums of money to help the tration was considered to have failed in its were erected along the roads about but there were doubts whether they were poor to buy medicine. Others visited and public health policy not so much for lack of measures that the public should take. really Spanish influenza; in Curepipe, they nursed dying inmates and many poor organization and assistance during the Food was a major concern of the authori- were attributed to vaccination and were were saved in this way. The Poor Law epidemic but for long-term neglect of sa- ties but they resisted pressure to fix food considered benign. administrator provided food for 10 days to nitation in the island, particularly in the prices and to compel landowners to grow the poor, and those unable to work food Once cases of influenza were identi- town of Port Louis and the lack of purified food crops. Chocolate, condensed milk for 6 weeks depending on their health. fied in May 1919, the colonial government water. and blankets were requisitioned for hospi- After the epidemic, those seriously affec- swung into action. A government procla- Le Petit Journal of 10 November 1919 tals and lazarettos. The price of sugar was ted received 3 months' assistance. Blyth mation, issued on 5 May 1919, declared wrote there would have been fewer vic- deregulated and the use of eggs in cakes Brothers reduced the price of Siam rice that the port of Seychelles was an infec- and the manufacture of butter were pro- tims if the population could have better ted port. On the same day the government hibited by order of the Food Controller. resisted the epidemic had they not suf- issued another proclamation notifying the The response of the public to the fered from food shortage particularly rice. public that influenza was a contagious di- The epidemic spreads “ epidemic was marked by growing In the 1920s, the Balfour Report would solidarity. Many individuals, companies sease and the period of observation for In spite of all these measures, once advocate a more comprehensive ap- quarantine was fixed for 8 days. On 14 the epidemic spread in the island in May and organizations helped to alleviate proach to public health. It brought about a May, another proclamation informed the 1919, there were 906 deaths including 55 poverty and to provide support for the reorganization of the Medical Department. public that the island was threatened by prisoners over a period of 5 days in Port sick and the poor -- the Union Sanitary matters were transferred from the the Spanish influenza and all schools, col- Louis. Out of 7197 deaths that occurred in Catholique, the Loge de La Triple Municipality to the Medical Department. leges and places of public entertainment that same month, 5367 were attributed to Espérance, Hindu and Muslim There was greater support for sanitary were closed. On the following day, Port influenza. Between 1 May and 13 July, organisations. GM Issac asked those reforms and Governor Bell's sanitary Louis looked like a desolate place on that reforms including better housing received 3662 deaths were registered in Port Louis who had stocks of rice to sell them to cold winter morning. Anxiety could be read alone, and in the whole island registered wide support for 'better housing would on all the faces, the coaches were empty, government at reasonable prices to feed reduce the incidence of disease, enable deaths from influenza numbered 12,860. the poor. He collected Rs 20,000 and a few people attending to their busi- The number of indigents at the asylum people to work better and reduce pau- among his friends to help the poor and nesses were wearing masks. and convents was on the increase. About perism'. for burials…” There were posters informing the one tonne of medicine was used in May Sada Reddi Breakfast with Bwana Mauritius Times Tuesday, March 23, 2021 6 Meeting the World's Coronavirus Vaccine Needs Simply vaccinating people in one's own country is not enough. It is in the interest of every nation to ensure that all people around the world are being vaccinated

Anil Madan he National Center for Disaster Pre- Tparedness - yes, there is such an entity - at Columbia University has a Pandemic Resource and Response Initiative, yes really. Irwin Redlener, the direc- tor of that initiative explained that if we don't eliminate the Covid-19 virus everywhere, “then nowhere is going to be safe.” Areas in which there are large unvaccinated people will see the virus festering and mutating. “Those mutations are dangerous for the country in which they occur, and also for the rest of the world. None of these viruses obey boundaries,” he said. As infections surge around the world and Covid-19 virus variants are detected in one country but soon ap- pear in places distant from their seeming origin, infec- tious disease experts and health officials recognize that simply vaccinating people in one's own country is not enough. It is in the interest of every nation to ensure that all people around the world are being vaccinated. Vaccine production in India. President Biden's Secretary of State Antony Blinken Photo - sciencemag.org has said: “Until everyone in the world is vaccinated, then no one is really safe.” Pharma companies are notorious for overpricing their products in the US. and selling excess So, there we have it, the scientific view and the diplo- capacity to the rest of the world at throwaway prices. The low prices charged by the Serum matic view tempered by science converge to address “ the problem from different perspectives. Then there is Institute of India for the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine produced under license in India will remain a the humanitarian need to distribute vaccines equitably. competitive constraint forcing Pfizer, Moderna, and J&J to charge lower prices around the world. Vaccines are being produced by Chinese and Russian manufacturers as well. With some luck Against these concordant views is a stark reality. it may be possible to get a total of 5 to 5-1/2 billion courses or 10-11 billion doses produced There are about 7.7 billion people in the world. The avai- worldwide by the end of 2022, certainly 2023. That tells us we may have to live with another lable vaccine supply is simply not enough, in the short term, to vaccinate everybody. Therefore, putting aside all two to three years of uncertainty on top of the uncertain times we have seen…” questions about morality and equity, the distribution of vaccines is not going to be, and simply cannot be, equal tion, the British Medical Journal (BMJ) reported that as courses accounted for, there is a worldwide shortage of if, “equality” here is measured as an equivalence based of November 15, 2020, several countries had made pre- vaccines for about 4 billion people, or 8 billion courses. on pro-rata allocation to each country. And if one were to market purchase commitments totalling 7.48 billion President Biden has agreed to contribute $4 billion to proceed down that path of pro-rata allocation, how would doses, or 3.76 billion courses (based on two shots per providing vaccines to countries that would otherwise not that be addressed? On the basis of population, ability (or recipient), of Covid-19 vaccines from 13 vaccine manu- be in a position to afford the vaccines. More importantly, inability) to pay, who developed the vaccine(s), who paid facturers. Just over half of these doses were preordered he has chosen to address the pressing worldwide need for the development of the vaccine(s), or some other fac- by high income countries, which represent 14% of the for vaccines by partnering with Japan, Australia, and tor? world's population. India to increase manufacturing capacity to produce vac- Although this will not sit well with those who believe The good news is that the BMJ reported that 48 can- cines. the US should have shared its vaccine hoard more equi- didate vaccines were undergoing clinical testing and at The Serum Institute of India is already a powerhouse tably, the simple fact is that the Pfizer and Moderna vac- least 164 candidates were at preclinical stages. in vaccine production. This new initiative commits to pro- cines have made up the vast, vast majority of vaccines Several countries made commitments to purchase viding support to Biological E, another major Indian vac- administered in America. And given the need for extreme vaccines from different manufacturers prioritizing secu- cine manufacturer with the aim of producing about 1 bil- cold storage in both cases, with Pfizer's product more so ring vaccine doses for their own populations. As has be- lion doses of Covid-19 vaccines by the end of 2022. than with Moderna's, export of the vaccines is impracti- come clear, many countries, including the US, Canada, But note that the end of 2022 is 21 months away. cal unless recipient countries have the necessary infras- Australia, have committed to ordering more vaccines tructure to secure the cold chain. The recent announce- The stark reality is that regardless of anything that the than they will need or can use. Of course, there is some wealthier nations of the world do, the global population ment by the Biden administration that it will send sup- uncertainty here as there is talk of a possible third shot plies of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine to Canada and will remain woefully undervaccinated for at least the next as a booster for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, and two years. Mexico does not involve the super cold chain require- the possibility of tweaking those vaccines to deal with ments of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines but it high- variants of the virus. This is not to say all is lost. US vaccine manufac- lights that even with the best of intentions, the US go- turers are ramping up production. Both Pfizer and Mo- vernment is constrained in its ability to share vaccines This is, in a sense, good news. Countries with excess derna are substantially increasing production. The Biden with the rest of the world. vaccines supplies will be compelled to give them away administration has facilitated a partnership between on humanitarian grounds and one can expect a fair Johnson & Johnson and Merck for the latter to produce Let us step back to get an overview of vaccine deve- degree of diplomatic compulsion. J&J's vaccine. lopment and production. In a December 2020 publica- But the numbers are daunting. Even with 3.76 billion * Cont. on page 11 Spotlights Mauritius Times Tuesday, March 23, 2021 7 US study found AstraZeneca's coronavirus vaccine is 100 percent effective S study found AstraZeneca's coro- which is a confidence boost after safety Unavirus vaccine is 100% effective at concerns in Europe rattled public faith in keeping people out of hospital and stop- the jab last week. ping them dying of the disease, a US trial Two doses were given four weeks found today. apart in the study and the effectiveness of An extra trial of the vaccine in America a single dose was not reported. Full results found it was more effective than it was in from the trial are expected to be published the UK research - preventing 79 percent of later in the year. all symptomatic infections - and nobody American authorities had insisted the got seriously ill. vaccine was trialed in the US before they And it works just as well in over-65s as agreed to approve it and the extra it does in younger people. The study was research adds to proof the jab works. US the largest one so far conducted on older regulators are set to give the jab the green people, including more than 6,000 of them. light in the coming weeks. The trial - which involved 32,000 Oxford's Professor Andrew Pollard, AstraZeneca's vaccine is '100% effective': US trial of jab saw NO deaths or hospitalizations and people in total - also confirmed the vaccine who runs the vaccine trials, said the results does not cause blood clots. Photo - Hindustan Times doesn't increase the risk of blood clots, were 'remarkable', and its inventor Professor Sarah Gilbert said she was 'very they are useless to Americans for the time pleased'. being. Dean of Brown University's School of The US is vaccinating an average of Public Health, Dr Ashish Jha, called the 2.5 million Americans a day, has enough results 'fabulous news' in a tweet and told vaccine ready to go to cover 19 percent of the Today Show that the AstraZeneca shot people in the US, and has already given is the 'best ticket towards vaccinating the one or more dose to nearly a quarter of its world.' population. The jab-makers were in need of good But the addition of the AstraZeneca press after the past fortnight saw more shot would dramatically accelerate the than a dozen European countries shun the pace of vaccinations and bring the US jab amid fears it could cause blood clots on closer to having enough doses in its the brain - on which most have now stockpile for its entire adult population. backed down, although Sweden, The European Medicines Agency itself Denmark and Norway are still hesitating - which first launched an investigation and and refusing to use it. triggered panic across the continent - last The Trump administration made a deal week admitted there was no proof of a link with AstraZeneca for 300 million doses of to blood clots and backed down on its AstraZeneca's vaccine last year, and the warning. federal government is currently sitting on Health officials around the world, nearly 30 million which can't be used until including Britain's regulator the MHRA and the shot is authorized by the FDA. the World Health Organization, have urged Nearly four million of those doses were countries to keep using the vaccine to sent to Mexico and Canada which have stamp out coronavirus. both authorized the shot last week, since Saudi Aramco to prioritise energy supply to China for 50 years audi Aramco will ensure China's energy Nasser told an earnings call earlier Ssecurity remains its highest priority for the on Sunday that Chinese demand was next 50 years and beyond as new and very close to pre-pandemic levels while existing energy sources run in parallel for Asia, East Asia in particular, had seen a some time, CEO Amin Nasser told the China strong pickup. Development Forum on Sunday. Besides being a top supplier of Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest oil China's energy needs, Nasser said exporter, retained its position as China's top Aramco is also well-placed to help supplier in the first two months this year, with China achieve its second centennial volumes up 2.1% to 1.86 million barrels per goal in energy transition. day (bpd), China customs data showed on Chinese President Xi Jinping Saturday. announced in September that China The kingdom beat Russia to keep its will bring its carbon emissions to a peak ranking as China's top crude supplier in 2020 before 2030 and reach carbon neutrali- despite unprecedented production cuts in a ty by 2060, a pledge that is expected to pact between the Organization of the create a tectonic shift in its energy and Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies manufacturing sectors. to balance global markets after demand An employee rides a bicycle past oil Nasser added that Aramco is plunged during the Covid-19 pandemic. tanks at Saudi Aramco oil facility in working with Chinese universities and "Ensuring the continuing security of Abqaiq, Saudi Arabia October 12, companies in cleaner engine fuel China's energy needs remains our highest 2019. Photo - Reuters systems and technologies to convert priority - not just for the next five years but for crude to chemicals and to reduce the next 50 and beyond," Nasser said in a video speech. crucial to a faster and smoother global energy transition ... greenhouse gas emissions from existing energy sources. But, realistically, this will take some time since there are "We appreciate that sustainable energy solutions are few alternatives to oil in many areas." * Contd on page 8 Spotlights Mauritius Times Tuesday, March 23, 2021 8 Sri Lanka faces key UN Rights Body Resolution, hopes for Indian support ri Lanka will face a criti- Narendra Modi and Sri Scal resolution at the UN Lankan President Human Rights Council in Gotabaya Rajapaksa had Geneva on Monday which is a telephonic conversation being seen as an acid test during which they for President Gotabaya reviewed topical develop- Rajapaksa, amidst allega- ments as well as ongoing tions that his government's cooperation between both initiatives had "repeatedly the countries in bilateral failed" to ensure justice for and multilateral forums. the victims and promote Articulating New reconciliation after the end Delhi's stand, Ambas- Emergency service officials said 18,000 had so far been of the armed conflict with the sador Indra Mani Pandey, subject to evacuation orders across state. Photo - Reuters LTTE in 2009, reports PTI. Permanent Represen- There are expectations among Sri Lanka officials that India would opt Officials said that the to abstain from voting. Photo - c.ndtvimg.com tative of India in Geneva, draft resolution titled had said it rests on two Australia floods just a 'Promotion of Reconciliation abuses. We have been cautious pillars: Support for Sri Lanka's unity Accountability and Human Rights in about this. After our government and territorial integrity, and abiding year after unprecedented Sri Lanka' has been listed as was elected, a Presidential commitment to aspirations of the the agenda item 2 at Monday's Commission has been appointed to Tamils of Sri Lanka for equality, sessions. investigate human rights allega- justice, peace and dignity. tions," he said. climate-change bushfires Foreign Minister Dinesh "These are not either-or He also said that funds have ustralia's south east was lashed by another round of intense Gunawardena said that the whole choices. We believe that respecting been allocated from the budget to rainfall Monday, worsening "one in 100 year" flooding north resolution was politically motivated the rights of the Tamil community, A activate the Office on Missing of Sydney, as thousands of people were ordered to evacuate particularly by the UK. "Sri Lanka including through meaningful Persons. and more than 200 schools closed. has made progress with preserving devolution, contributes directly to human rights with our own program "While the present government the unity and integrity of Sri Lanka." A days-long deluge has caused widespread flooding in of work hence the international was taking a number of such posi- coastal areas of the country's most populous state, New South "Therefore, we advocate that community must assist us," he tive steps, it was not fair to ignore it Wales, with parts of Sydney's north-west fringes now experienc- delivering on the legitimate aspira- said. and accuse us repeatedly in vari- ing what officials have said were likely to be the biggest floods tions of the Tamil community is in ous manners at the Human Rights in decades. "Over the years, various allega- the best interests of Sri Lanka," he tions have been levelled against Council in Geneva," he added. said. It comes just a year after unprecedented climate-change our country, alleging human rights On March 13, Prime Minister bushfires burned across the same region, which followed a pro- longed drought that had also seen Sydney introduce water restrictions. Elon musk says Tesla would be shut down The state's Mid North Coast has been particularly badly affected, with state Premier Gladys Berejiklian declaring the region had been struck by a "one in 100 year" disaster. if its cars spied in China Emergency service officials told local media that 18,000 esla Inc chief executive Elon Musk said on President Joe Biden took office in January. people had so far been subject to evacuation orders across the TSaturday his company would be shut down if its Musk urged greater mutual trust between the state, with 2,000 still under evacuation orders Monday morning. cars were used to spy, his first comments on news that world's two biggest economies, in his remarks to the Authorities have warned of a potentially "life-threatening" China's military has banned Teslas from its facilities. China Development Forum, a high-level business situation though so far there have been no reports of deaths or "There's a very strong incentive for us to be very gathering is hosted by a foundation under the State serious injuries. confidential with any information," Musk told a promi- Council. The Bureau of Meteorology has warned of "treacherous" nent Chinese forum during a virtual discussion, assert- He was holding an discussion panel with Xue conditions Monday before the wild weather eases later in the ing that Tesla would be shut down if its vehicles spied Qikun, a Chinese scientist specialising in quantum week. in China or anywhere else. physics who is now head of Southern University of Sources told Reuters on Friday that the Chinese Science and Technology. Rainfall records were forecast to continue tumbling in the military has banned Tesla cars from entering its com- coming days as the deluge spreads into the state's northwest, In China, the world's biggest car market and a key plexes, citing security concerns over cameras installed and further north into Queensland state. battleground for electric vehicles, Tesla sold 147,445 on the vehicles. vehicles last year. However, it is facing more competi- Health officials have said the rain and floods will delay the Those restrictions surfaced as the top Chinese and tion this year from domestic rivals from Nio Inc to already halting roll-out of coronavirus vaccines in Sydney and US diplomats were holding a contentious meeting in Geely. surrounding areas. Alaska, the first such in-person interaction since US

The asteroid is estimated to be about Large asteroid to zip past earth at 124,000 kmph 900 metres (3,000 feet) in diameter and was discovered 20 years ago. he largest asteroid to pass by for centuries to come". NASA said more than 95 percent of Earth this year will swing T The nearest it will get will be near-Earth asteroids the size of 2001 closest on Sunday, giving astrono- two million kilometres (1.25 FO32 or larger have been catalogued and mers a rare chance for a good million miles) away, according none of them has any chance of impacting look at a space rock that formed at to the US space agency. our planet over the next century. the dawn of our solar system. That is roughly 5.25 times NASA says the next time 2001 FO32 While in astronomical terms the distance of the Earth from will be close to Earth will be 2052. this marks a close encounter with the Moon but still close enough the asteroid -- called 2001 FO32 - for 2001 FO32 to be classified - NASA says there is no threat of as a "potentially hazardous a collision with our planet "now or The nearest it will get will be two million kilometres away, according to the US Compiled by Doojesh Ramlallah space agency. Photo - cdn.images.express.co.uk asteroid." Guest Column Mauritius Times Tuesday, March 23, 2021 9 Il faut le dire et le redire… militants en général, l'opportunisme associé au populisme, s'avère être la Le Militantisme maladie des agents des classes intermédi- aires à la tête de presque tous les partis Ces organisations citoyennes, ni de gauche ni de droite, politiques, et ce, jusqu'à aujourd'hui. L'alternance qui se présente par des partis ne sont pas les héritiers du militantisme politiques coupant à travers les classes et dirigés par des opportunistes et des populistes de droite… ces organisations citoyennes, ni de gauche ni de droite, ne sont pas les héritiers du militantisme. Première mise au point Jack Bizlall Trois questions se posent auxquelles il faudrait répondre pour que la compréhen- sion de l'Histoire ne soit pas tronquée. e militantisme équivaut historiquement 1. Depuis les voyages de Niccolo Polo à l'idéologie répandue dans les années L 1968 - l'année marquante de la contestation dans le monde... et Matteo Polo vers l'Est 60 et 70 du siècle dernier et, particulière- (Constantinople, Crimée), soit le ment, aux soulèvements des jeunes à Le second degré du militantisme la lutte politique comme une lutte qui 13e siècle, suivis par ceux de Marco traverser le monde en 1968. engage les peuples à travers le monde et On pourrait avoir l'impression que l'on Polo (Mongolie), l'ouverture du les travailleurs en particulier. 1968 fut, en effet, l'année marquante était dans la négation et ainsi dans une monde vers l'orient fut initiée… de la contestation dans le monde et à forme d'anarchie et de nihilisme… Mais Nous étions donc organiquement liés à Ensuite, ce fut l'ouverture du monde Maurice. Il y eut des révoltes estudiantines non, nous étions aussi des jeunes qui des organisations ouvrières: grèves tout le à l'ouest avec Christophe Colomb, fin et ouvrières partout dans le monde: Italie, militions à travers le monde dans des long de cette période. Dans un combat du 16e siècle. On ne peut rien com France, Pakistan, Etats-Unis, Japon, organisations politiques. Nous militions pour les salaires, la réduction des heures prendre de l'Histoire si on ne Allemagne, Canada, Mexique, Irlande du pour la liberté de la personne humaine (le de travail, la sécurité d'emploi, pour le rassemble pas, comme en cosmo- Nord, Angleterre, Liban, Sénégal,… droit de penser, de parler, d'écrire et d'a- repos, les loisirs. logie, l'espace et le temps. C'est ce Plusieurs étudiants ont trouvé la mort pour gir); pour les libertés des citoyens, des col- que j'expliquerai dans mon prochain leurs convictions. La contestation estudi- Le quatrième degré du militantisme lectifs d'hommes, de femmes et de jeunes, article. antine, citoyenne et ouvrière fut mondiale. du peuple pour les droits, pour la démo- Nous étions dans le combat en tant C'est ce qui marqua le caractère du cratie élargissant les libertés et ouvrant la que chanteurs engagés, artistes, 2. L'Histoire se construit dans la pensée militantisme: l'orgueil de nos convictions, porte à de nombreux nouveaux droits écrivains, journalistes, philosophes, humaine à travers ce que ses l'action de groupe, l'idéologie révolution- surtout économiques et démocratiques, historiens, scientifiques, juristes, péda- dirigeants dictent comme politique naire. Cette idéologie fut élaborée par la pour des institutions indépendantes et des gogues. La plus grande insulte était de dans le cadre de cet espace-temps praxis des tenants de l'idéologie militante lois non liberticides. Pour un programme nous associer à la droite et à la classe historique. Il faut démystifier certains (des dirigeants des organisations de politique anti-capitaliste et soutenant la capitaliste. Nous avions une position de pour comprendre les enjeux et les gauche) et par des écrits de plusieurs classe prolétarienne dans leurs syndicats, classe et n'étions pas organiquement intérêts des uns et des autres et penseurs de la révolution (historiens, mais aussi les catégories sociales (jeunes, associés à la classe capitaliste, ni directe- aussi identifier les marionnettes aussi philosophes, économistes, etc). femmes, consommateurs, etc.). ment, ni indirectement. La cassure de bien que les manipulateurs. Le premier degré du militantisme classe était d'ailleurs notre objectif organi- La lutte aurait été vaine si le combat 3. L'exercice est la démystification. sationnel. Ma génération est celle qui est née n'avait pas été organisé, structuré, si les Démystifier, c'est détromper les gens. pendant et après la Deuxième Guerre propositions n'avaient pas été concrètes, A Maurice… nous devons au militan- Mais c'est aussi démanteler des mondiale. Nous avions des références et acceptables et réalisables. Si une organi- tisme une révolution politique: celle de mythes, dénoncer les manipula- des comportements et nous étions fiers de sation révolutionnaire ne fait pas un pont 1982… tions… Gaëtan Duval est un cas entre ce qui doit être combattu et ce qui nous qualifier de militants, et les piliers du 1968: Bagarre en janvier, indépen- incontournable. Je reviendrai sur son doit être construit, il se retranchera dans le militantisme étaient, entre autres: l'anti- dance en mars, rapatriement des rôle pendant la période pré-indépen réformisme ou disparaitra. A travers le impérialisme, l'anti-néocolonialisme, l'anti- Chagossiens en mai, émigration massive dance, la période de répression du capitalisme, l'anti-stalinisme, l'anti-monar- monde, a surgi ce que Antonio Gramsci vers l'Australie et ailleurs…. Mais aussi début des années 70, la cassure du chisme, l'anti-dynastique, l'anti-autori- nomme l'intellectuel organique contribuant Forum du Club des Militants le 12 juillet sur PMSD, la vérité sur le 13e mois (ce tarisme, l'anti-dictature; l'anti-théocratique, à l'homogénéité et la conscience de son le thème "L'avenir de Maurice dépend n'est pas lui l'initiateur), le sort des l'anti-guerre, l'anti-atomique, l'anti-mili- action sur le plan culturel, c'est-à-dire de ses jeunes " ; grève dans le port et la travailleurs de la Zone Franche, etc. tarisme, l'anti-conformisme, l'anti-par- social, économique et politique. fonction publique en août 1968. Et, je m'attarderai sur l'histoire du lementarisme, l'anti-racisme, l'anti-trust, Le troisième degré du militantisme l'anti-peine capitale, l'anti-patriarcat, l'anti- Ainsi naquit une nouvelle génération MMM après. homophobie… Nous étions contre l'oppression de qui créa le MMM et le MMMSP, qui ouvrit 4. La sémantique politique, qui est l'URSS, la violence du stalinisme - en la voie à un syndicalisme libre et combatif, La liste est longue et c'est dans la singulière, doit s'accorder sur la Tchécoslovaquie (le Printemps de Prague un combat politique révolutionnaire. critique et la contestation contre l'autorité définition que donne l'autre version 1968 suivant la même logique que l'insur- en soi et en tant qu'institution que se sont Le militantisme exerça une pression de l'histoire et qui passe par l'appréci- rection hongroise de 1956 suivi par les construites des dizaines d'organisations fabuleuse sur notre culture et notre société ation des sens des mots et leur grandes grèves en Pologne en 1988); politiques progressistes et révolution- dans tous ses compartiments par des évolution linguistique, pour com- contre la guerre au Vietnam jusqu'à sa naires. La première leçon apprise est que luttes syndicales, politiques et culturelles. prendre des questions de transition- réunification en 1976, le massacre au c'est dans le combat contre ce qui n'est Nous devons beaucoup au militantisme Biafra, la guerre des Six Jours, l'an- nalité, d'alternance, de prolonge- pas acceptable qu'une force alternative se sur les plans linguistique, musical, tisémitisme (mais aussi le sionisme), ment, etc. Etant entendu que le but construit. C'est dans l'anti que tout se artistique, littéraire, philosophique, his- l'apartheid et le ségrégationnisme, le visé est de voir comment, en fin de construit et que tout se gagne… Un exem- torique, et aussi, constitutionnel, journalis- sexisme, l'oppression parentale, le compte (pour l'instant présent et ple: l'anti-colonialisme a fait avancer des tique et économique… système d'éducation d'insertion. Nous l'instant écoulé), on a fait évoluer le dizaines de pays vers leur indépendance; étions en faveur des Palestiniens, des La période 1968-1975 fut une période fond commun de la civilisation et 44 pays en tout entre 1960 et 1980. Pour droits civiques, de la libération des indélébile de notre histoire. Apres ce fut la quelle direction nous prenons dans le Maurice, ce fut en 1968, la Tanzanie en femmes… Nous étions des internationa- séparation, le pouvoirisme, l'électoralisme, maintien de l'humanité (l'instant 1961, l'Algérie en 1962, le Kenya en 1963, listes. Ce fut indéniablement la force des le parlementarisme…et l'opportunisme. Si futur). Le militantisme d'aujourd'hui les Seychelles en 1976. organisations de gauche que de concevoir le gauchisme est la faiblesse des jeunes est, de surcroit, anti-eugénique. History Mauritius Times Tuesday, March 23, 2021 10 From the Pages of History - MT 60 Years Ago 4th Year No 160 MAURITIUS TIMES Friday 30 August 1957 l In politics, what begins in fear usually ends in folly. -- Samuel Taylor Coleridge Family Planning - A Social Necessity

By D. Napal

he rejected applications for admissions in our go- vernment and aided colleges, the thousands of Tschool-age children unable to find space in our pri- mary schools, the crowds queuing up at the gates of our hospitals - struggling between life and death for lack of pro- per medical aid, the paupers invading the Public Assis- tance Department for some morsel to keep body and soul together, all these point but in one direction: overpopulation in Mauritius has become a serious problem. This problem is not confined to our island. It affects dif- ferent parts of the world. Finding means to increase pro- ductivity and recourse to emigration have been envisaged in different countries. But at best these can serve only as palliatives. They only postpone the issue. There is only one way out. It is family planning. Is planned family life immoral? Is it unnatural? Is it irre- ligious? These are the questions around which controver- sy has raged for more than a quarter of a century. Photo - vintagemauritius It can be contended that it is unnatural, but then every amenity of civilized life from our morning shave to the air- because they need not have died when they did. Their tiny experiments on different methods of family planning for the ship which we so often use to conquer the blind forces of 'graves' seem to echo the wish of Euripides: “Not to be purposes of determining their suitability, acceptability and nature is unnatural. In so far as religion is concerned, the born is the best and to die as soon as possible is the effectiveness in different sections of the population, deve- protestant churches not only do not oppose it but recom- next best.” lopment of suitable procedures to educate the people on mend and even encourage contraception to promote indi- family planning methods.” vidual health and international peace. Prof Radhakrishnan Fortunately, those who run the government in India in his 'Religion and Society' puts forth the Hindu point of have not ignored the question of birth control. The Indian Moreover, in the same year, the Indian government view and suggests that family planning can be resorted to National Congress as far back as in 1935 set up a National requested the World Health Organization to provide the if it is in the interests of society -- “The Hindu dharma Planning Committee under the chairmanship of Jawaharlal services of a planned parenthood expert. Since that time, gives us a programme of rules and regulations which Nehru. One of the resolutions of that Committee runs thus: birth control clinics were opened in different places in India, sponsored by government, municipal and local authorities permit their constant change. The rules of dharma are “In the interests of social economy, family happi- the mortal flesh of immortal ideas and so are mutable.” as well as by individual or private bodies. It is hoped that ness and national planning, family planning and a limi- here is a happy solution to the problems of poverty, di- The Islam faith, on its part, has in recent years given a tation of children are essential and the State should sease and premature deaths. clear ruling in favour of contraceptives. The Grand Mufti of adopt a policy to encourage these.” the Egyptian Realm issued on the 25th January 1937, the May we Mauritians cease to view with callous compla- injunction that it is permissible for either husband or wife by The first Five Year Plan brought out in 1951 by the cency the grim pictures of pain, poverty and disease mutual consent to take any measure, either natural or arti- Planning Commission under the chairmanship of Prime around us! Unfortunately, government which took up the ficial, in order to prevent conception. Minister Jawaharlal Nehru took a bold stand with regard to question in 1953 has since gone to sleep upon this impor- the needs of family planning in India. It made provisions “in tant matter. We shall, in another article deal with the atti- In almost all civilized countries the question no longer government hospitals and health centres of advice on tude of government towards this vital problem in our arises whether planned family life is good or bad. The bat- methods of family planning for married persons, field colony. tles around this question have long been fought and won. However, of all these countries, India's problems in this respect should be of more interest to us as the majority of the Mauritian population comprise of people of Indian des- cent. The problem of Indians on the Subcontinent in this connection are to a great extent those of Indo-Mauritians as well. An exhaustive analysis of the problem of birth control in India has been made by Dr S. Chandrasekhar, in his recent book 'Population and Planned Parenthood in India'. Chan- drasekhar points out that annually 200,000 mothers die from causes connected with child birth, that a hundred out of every thousand women are doomed to die during child- birth and that 150 out of every 1000 live-births die before they reach their birthday. He then makes a case for birth control in India with remarkable eloquence. “The premature deaths of thousands of these mothers and children represent not only a social and economic pro- blem of fundamental national importance but, on humani- tarian grounds alone, a problem that cries for solution Breakfast with Bwana Mauritius Times Tuesday, March 23, 2021 11 Meeting the World's Coronavirus Vaccine Needs

* Cont. from page 6 the world, and the prospects are good. The good news prospect for the world is that the US is unlikely to need these additional vaccines for domestic use Second, the Pfizer and unless the coronavirus vaccine becomes an annual event Moderna vaccines will be diffi- à la the flu vaccine or unless booster doses are needed. cult to transport due to cold The prospect that the US will have spent $105 million chain considerations. But the in aiding Merck's production of J&J's vaccine for the bene- good news is that both compa- fit of the world at large is very real. Against the $4 billion nies are working on modifica- already contributed by the US, $105 million is a small sum. tions that will eliminate the A volunteer receives the Covid vaccine. Photo - ichef.bbci.co.uk The US adult population-minus the naysayers who will need for ultra-cold storage. refuse the shots-will likely be fully vaccinated within ano- nister the vaccines and monitor recipients for adverse Third, supply chain constraints loom large. Pfizer, for ther two months. Whether children under 16 are vaccinat- reactions in the immediate short-term. example, has been recycling scarce filters needed on its ed remains to be seen. That ramped up production of vac- Meeting the world's needs for vaccines goes beyond production lines. Vials, seals, labels, needles, syringes, are cines will inure to the benefit of the rest of the world. simple production numbers. all necessary for a successful vaccination program. Cheerz... Fourth, and finally, people have to be trained to admi- Bwana Several countries made commitments to purchase “ vaccines from different manufacturers prioritizing securing vaccine doses for their own populations. As has become clear, many countries, including the US, Canada, Australia, have committed to ordering more vaccines than they will need or can use. Of course, there is some uncertainty here as there is talk of a possible third shot as a booster for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, and the possibility of tweaking those vaccines to deal with variants of the virus. This is, in a sense, good news. Countries with excess vaccines supplies will be compelled to give them away on humanitarian grounds…”

There is additional pressure on the Biden administra- tion to implement policies that will erode patent protection for pharma manufacturers. This is unlikely to happen. The US is hardly in a position to diminish respect for intellec- tual property as it criticizes China for theft of industrial secrets. But there is little reason to despair here. Pharma com- panies are notorious for overpricing their products in the US and selling excess capacity to the rest of the world at throwaway prices. The low prices charged by the Serum Institute of India for the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine pro- duced under license in India will remain a competitive cons- traint forcing Pfizer, Moderna, and J&J to charge lower prices around the world. Vaccines are being produced by Chinese and Russian manufacturers as well. With some luck it may be possible to get a total of 5 to 5-1/2 billion courses or 10-11 billion doses produced worldwide by the end of 2022, certainly 2023. That tells us we may have to live with another two to three years of uncertainty on top of the uncertain times we have seen. The impact of this on the worldwide economic recovery remains a real concern. I end with a realistic note. All of the good news about vaccine development in record time and vaccine produc- tion to scale, has to be tempered by four practical consi- derations. First, no matter what is produced, there are many countries that simply cannot afford the vaccines. The world has to depend on the generosity of the wealthy nations. Fortunately, the need to provide vaccines is in their self-interest, so there is hope for enlightened beha- viour. Add to that the observation that pharma manufac- turers will be forced by competition to reduce prices around Business Essentials Mauritius Times Tuesday, March 23, 2021 12 Controversial Leadership Lessons From David Ogilvy, The Father of Advertising

Be a good butcher By Stian Pedersen David Ogilvy, Copywriter, SEO, behavioral sciences One of Ogilvy’s favorite quotes came from the one of the former British Prime Minister, William Gladstone, greatest who had said “the first essential to be a good Prime ew men have had as big of an impact on my profes- Minister is to be a good butcher.” Ogilvy lived by this sional life and philosophy as David Ogilvy has. I business leaders mantra and would not hesitate to fire underperfor- Fadmire the man greatly. Through his work, his bio- of the 20th mers. He found high performers become demora- graphies, and his interviews, he’s been a source of wisdom lized when working alongside incompetent ama- and influence. His thoughts on entrepreneurship, leader- century, left a teurs, and wouldn’t tolerate second-rate perfor- ship, sales, management, business, and copywriting have body of work for mance. been very influential. Don’t praise your employees too liberally entrepreneurs I recently stumbled across an old notebook that con- He learned this lesson while wor-king at one of tained notes from when I studied David Ogilvy’s approach to to study the grea-test restaurants in Paris. He found the business and advertising. Immediately, I found myself ins- greatest chef in France rarely praised his chefs, but pired. In honour of this great man, I figured I’d compile some kept impeccable order and discipline among his of my favourite lessons. ranks. However, when the praise did come, it meant a thou- If each of us hires people who are smaller than sand times more than it had. Do some groundwork, even as CEO we are, we shall become a company of dwarfs. Embrace crisis Ogilvy made sure to lead by example. Ogilvy started his “ But if each of us hires people who are bigger When Ogilvy worked for Pitard, he also found that the career as a copywriter — and is, to this day, recognized as than we are, we shall become a company of giants.” high pressure environment of a world-class kitchen brought one of the greatest copywriters ever. As Ogilvy’s responsi- the chefs together in a manner he had not previously been bilities increased with the workload of being chief creative exposed to. Later, in the early days of Ogilvy&Mather, they and chief executive, he had to delegate hisa work to other them to pay higher wages to their employees, and to pay out were struggling for survival and had to work very long hours copywriters. Ogilvy&Mather would sometimes sign clients higher dividends to their shareholders. This would boost to fulfill their contracts. Ogilvy found that, when the team who specifically wanted to work with Ogilvy himself. In those Ogilvy&Mather’s reputation, both among potential emplo- managed to pull through a crisis situation, they came out the cases, Ogilvy would take on the role of copywriter and write yees, clients, and investors, creating a positive feedback other side as a more cohesive unit with increased morale. ads. In his own words, he made sure to show that his hand loop. Hire your successors had not lost its cunning. “My staff will be a lot less reluctant to work overtime if I Work tremendously hard work longer hours than they do.” At a meeting with the executives of his company, Ogilvy handed out matryoshkas, Russian dolls. As they opened the Ogilvy also led by example through a tremendous work Flaunt your privilege dolls, they found a message. “If each of us hires people who ethic. Hard work stood at the centre of Ogilvy&Mather’s cul- Ogilvy also led by example by being overt about the pri- are smaller than we are, we shall become a company of ture as Ogilvy saw hard work as a benefit for both share- vileges he had. He drove a Rolls-Royce, a vehicle virtually dwarfs. But if each of us hires people who are bigger than holders and employees. If each employee worked at their impossible to park in New York City. He wore the finest suits we are, we shall become a company of giants.” He later con- utmost capacity, the company would be far more productive and had the finest watches. He made a big deal out of the tinued this practice, sending matryoshkas to people who per person. The employees would be able to take on more gifts and benefits he got from his clients. This overt display had been made heads of Ogilvy&Mather offices around the responsibility, thus moving up in their careers faster. The of success combined with the already high wages paid by world. company also wouldn’t have to hire as many employees, the agency served to inspire his employees to follow in There were many lessons to pick from, but in the inte- thus boosting the bottom line. A bigger bottom line allowed Ogilvy’s footsteps. rest of time, I had to keep it short.

* Cont. from page 2 During the pandemic, this right has been Do we have a moral duty not to get sick? taken to menacing excesses by anti- mask and anti-lockown groups, politically rights. Greek philosopher and physician active in almost every country around the The pre-eminence of rights in Hippocrates. It is also a fundamental prin- world. our moral compass has vindi- ciple in the moral philosophy of the cated unacceptable levels of Roman statesman Marcus Tullius Cicero, This is the ugly side to rights-based who in ‘De Officiis’ (On Duties) argues theories. Your right to get sick, or to risk selfishness. It is imperative to undertake a fundamental duty that the first task of justice is to prevent getting sick, could imply a duty on others men and women from causing harm to to look after you during your illness. not to get sick, and to do every- thing in our means to avoid others. In the exceptional times in which we causing others to get sick. When it comes to navigating the find ourselves, putting rights before duties Morally speaking, duties should morality of living with Covid-19, we could is beyond the realm of justification. The come first and should not be do a lot worse than following the moral right to get sick is potentially deadly, and subordinated to rights. teachings of our ancestors. Because yes, not only for the person getting sick: thou- we do have a moral duty to avoid cat- sands of frontline healthcare workers Photo - theconversation.com Putting duties before rights is not a new, revolutionary idea. In ching this disease. have died worldwide from Covid-19 after fact it is one of the oldest rules in caring for infected patients. tions and embrace new perspectives. Contrary to what the rights-based model the book of ethics. Primum non nocere, or Vittorio Bufacchi, Duty before rights would suggest, from a moral point of first do no harm, is the core principle in Senior Lecturer, Department of Philosophy, Covid-19 is forcing us to revisit some view, it is a mistake to think of duties the Hippocratic Oath historically taken by University College Cork of our most entrenched moral assump- merely as correlated and subordinate to doctors, widely attributed to the ancient Unwind Mauritius Times Tuesday, March 23 , 2021 13

out.) young son playing with Why Britain brexited! his new electric train in he following questions were in a UK the living room. She Q. What is a terminal illness? Tgrade 12 equivalent examination (pur- heard the train stop and portedly genuine answers): A. When you are sick at the airport. her son said, "All of you sons of bitches who want Q. What is a turbine? Q. Name the four seasons off, get the hell off now, 'cause this is the last A. Something an Arab or Sheik wears on A. Salt, pepper, mustard and vinegar. his head. stop! And all of you sons of bitches who are get- No wonder Britain brexited! ting on, get your asses in Q. How is dew formed? the train, 'cause we're A. The sun shines down on the leaves and going down the tracks." * * * makes them perspire. The mother went nuts Punnery for Language and told her son, "We Q. What are steroids? don't use that kind of language in this house. A. Things for keeping carpets still on the Aficionados! Now I want you to go to your room and the money?" asked the lawyer. stairs. 1. My best mates and I played a game you are to stay there for two hours. When "Nope," replied the man. of hide and seek. It went on for hours... you come out, you may play with your "OK, then write him a letter asking him Well, good friends are hard to find. Q. Name a major disease associated with train, but I want you to use nice lan- for the $5,000 he owed you," said the cigarettes. 2. You're not completely useless; you guage." lawyer. can always serve as a bad example. A. Premature death. Two hours later, the son comes out of "But it's only $500," replied the man. 3. I broke my finger last week. On the the bedroom and resumes playing with his "Precisely. That's what he will reply other hand, I'm okay. train. Soon the train stopped and the Q. How can you delay milk turning sour? and then you'll have your proof!" 4. Someone stole my Microsoft Office mother heard her son say, "All passen- A. Keep it in the cow. * * * and they're gonna pay. You have my gers who are disembarking from the train, Word. please remember to take all of your Two young Irishmen are travelling to belongings with you. We thank you for Australia. Before they leave home, one of Q. How are the main 20 parts of the body 5. Don't spell part backwards. It's a riding with us today and hope your trip their dads gives them both a bit of advice: categorised (e.g. the abdomen)? trap. was a pleasant one. We hope you will ride "You watch them Aussie cab drivers. A. The body is consisted into 3 parts - the 6. And the Lord said unto John, "Come with us again soon." They'll rob you blind. Don't you go paying brainium, the borax and the abdominal forth and you will receive eternal life." But She hears the little boy continue, "For them what they ask. You haggle." cavity. The brainium contains the brain, John came fifth, and he got hell. the borax contains the heart and lungs those of you just boarding, we ask you to At the Sydney airport, the Irishmen 7. What is the best thing about living in and the abdominal cavity contains the 5 stow all of your hand luggage under your catch a cab to their hotel. When they Switzerland? Well, the flag is a big plus. bowels... A, E, I, O, U seat. Remember, there is no smoking on reach their destination, the cabbie says, 8. Did you hear about the guy who got the train. We hope you will have a "That'll be twenty dollars, lads." hit in the head with a can of soda? He was pleasant and relaxing journey with us "Oh no you don't! My dad warned me Q. What is the fibula? lucky it was a soft drink. today." about you. You'll only be getting fifteen A. A small lie. 9. How did I escape from Iraq? I ran. As the mother began to smile, the dollars from me," says one of the men. 10. To the mathematician who thought child added, "For those of you who are "And you'll only be getting fifteen from Q. What does 'varicose' mean? of the idea of zero. Thanks for nothing! pissed off about the two-hour delay, me too," adds the other. please see the bitch in the kitchen." A. Nearby. 11. Son: "Dad, can you tell me what a * * * * * * solar eclipse is?" Dad: "No sun." A woman was taking an afternoon nap. 12. My math teacher called me In the beginning, God created the When she woke up, she told her husband, Q. Give the meaning of the term heaven and the earth... 'Caesarean section.' average. How mean? "I just dreamed that you gave me a pearl 13. Clinic receptionist: "Doctor, there's After that, everything else was made in necklace. What do you think it means?" A. The caesarean section is a district in China. Rome. a patient on line that says he's become "You'll know tonight," he said. invisible". Doctor: "Well, tell him I can't see * * * That evening, the man came home him right now." A man went to his lawyer and told him, with a small package and gave it to his Q. What is a seizure? * * * "My neighbour owes me $500 and he wife. A. A Roman Emperor. A few days after Christmas, a mother won't pay up. What should I do?" Delighted, she opened it to find a book (Julius Seizure, I came, I saw, I conked was working in the kitchen listening to her "Do you have any proof he owes you entitled 'The Meaning of Dreams'.

Food for Thought were upset and the students who studied little were but when government takes all the reward away, no one happy. will try or want to succeed. These are possibly the best As the second test rolled around, the students who sentences you'll ever read and all are applicable to this The Great Equaliser? studied little had studied even less and the ones who experiment. studied hard decided they wanted a free ride too so they 1. What one person receives without working for, studied little. n economics professor at a local college made a another person must work for without receiving. statement that he had never failed a single student The second test average was grade D! No one was A 2. The government cannot give to anybody anything before, but had recently failed an entire class. happy. that the government does not first take from some That class had insisted that socialism worked and that When the third test rolled around, the average was body else. no one would be poor and no one would be rich, a great grade F. 3. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it! equaliser. As the tests proceeded, the scores never increased The Professor then said, "OK, We will have an as bickering, blame and name-calling all resulted in hard 4. When half of the people get the idea that they do not experiment in this class on the following plan: All grades feelings and no one would study for the benefit of anyone have to work because the other half is going to take will be averaged and everyone will receive the same else. care of them and when the other half gets the idea grade!" To their great surprise, all failed. The Professor told that it does no good to work because somebody After the first test, the grades were averaged and them that communism would also ultimately fail because else is going to get what they work for, that is the everyone got grade B. The students who studied hard when the reward is great, the effort to succeed is great, beginning of the end of any nation! Wellness Mauritius Times Tuesday, March 23, 2021 14 Healthy Aging Over 50? These problems can sneak up on you any older adults have some type of Whether you can't go when you need chronic disease, and some have M to or you have to go too often, problems more than one. So, chances are, you'll with bladder control tend to happen as we have one sooner or later. But there are get older. They can be caused by nerve things you can do to live a healthier life. problems, muscle weakness, thickening Health tips from Brunilda Nazario, MD of tissue, or an enlarged prostate. Exercises WebMD. and lifestyle changes -- drinking less High blood pressure caffeine or not lifting heavy things, for As you age, your blood vessels get example -- often help. less flexible, and that puts pressure on the Cancer system that carries blood through your Age is the biggest risk factor for body. That might explain why so many cancer. The disease affects young people, adults over 60 have high blood pressure. too, but your odds of having it more than But there are other causes you can double between ages 45 and 54. You control. To do so, watch your weight, can't control your age or your genes, but exercise, stop smoking, find ways to deal you do have a say in things like smoking with stress, and eat healthy. or spending too much time in the sun. Diabetes Depression Your chances of getting the disease go Depression is one of the most up as you get older. Diabetes can lead to common mental disorders in the deve- heart disease, kidney disease, blindness, disease of the joints to the wear and tear you have trouble breathing, and you may loped world. Some people get down as and other problems. Talk with your doctor of age, and that is a factor. But genetics cough, wheeze, and spit up mucus. they age, when health problems crop up, about having your blood sugar checked. and lifestyle probably have something to Exercise, a healthy diet, and avoiding loved ones are lost or move away, and Heart disease do with it as well. And previous joint smoke and pollution can help. other life changes happen. injuries, a lack of physical activity, Plaque buildup in your arteries is a Hearing loss Back pain major cause of heart disease. It starts in diabetes, and being overweight can all Maybe nothing says "You're getting The older you get, the more common childhood and gets worse as you age. In play a part, too. older" more than having to ask, "What did this is. Lots of things can make you more the 40-to-59 age group in the U.S., 6.3% Osteoporosis you say?" Loud noise, disease, and your likely to have it: being overweight, of men and 5.6% of women have heart Osteoporosis causes your bones to genes all play a part. Some medications smoking, not getting enough exercise, or disease. Between ages 60 and 79, heart become weak and could lead to fractures. can cause hearing problems, too. See diseases like arthritis and cancer. Watch disease cases go up to nearly 20% of A couple of things that can help: a healthy your doctor if you're not able to hear as your weight, exercise, and get plenty of men and 9.7% of women. diet rich in calcium and vitamin D (you well as you used to. vitamin D and calcium to keep your Obesity need both for strong bones) and regular Vision problems bones strong. And strengthen those back If you weigh a lot more than is healthy weight-bearing exercise, like dancing, That annoying blurriness when you try muscles -- you'll need them. for your height, you could be considered jogging, or climbing stairs. to read the small type on labels or menus Dementia obese -- it's not having just a few extra Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary isn't the only threat to your vision as you Alzheimer's, a form of dementia, pounds. It's linked to at least 20 chronic Disease (COPD) age. Cataracts (which cloud the lens of usually doesn't pop up until 65 or so. diseases, including heart disease, stroke, This causes inflammation and blocks your eye) and glaucoma (a group of eye Some risk factors (like age and heredity) diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, air from your lungs. It's a slow-moving conditions that damage your optic nerve) are things you can't control. But evidence and arthritis. disease that you could have for years can harm your eyesight. See your eye suggests that a heart-healthy diet and Osteoarthritis without knowing it -- symptoms usually doctor for regular exams. watching your blood pressure and blood At one time, doctors chalked up this show up in your 40s or 50s. It can make Bladder problems sugar might help. Health Tips Clinical studies find mustard oil may be best for your heart

f you want to achieve good health amid the pandemic, "Mustard oil is considered one of the healthiest edible mustard oil can lead to low body weight gain, less Ichoosing the right oil should be the foremost step as oils as it has a low amount of Saturated Fatty Acids and visceral fat accumulation, and improved glucose and lipid Covid-19 is an inflammatory disease and we should, a high amount of Monounsaturated Fatty Acids and homeostasis. therefore, focus more on anti-inflammatory diets and the Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids, which are good for health," "Mustard oil is considered to be high in right cooking oil, top health experts have said. Eminent Kler said. Monounsaturated Fatty Acids (MUFA) and physician and cardiologist and Past President of the "The alpha-linolenic acid found in mustard oil reduces Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFA). They help in Indian Medical Association K.K. Aggarwal is favourably the adhesion-aggregation tendency of blood platelets increasing good cholesterol (HDL) and decrease bad inclined towards cold-pressed mustard oil not only which decreases the risk of a heart attack. Several cholesterol (LDL). Also, its consumption may reduce the because it is rich in Monounsaturated Fatty Acids clinical studies have also found that mustard oil may be risk of coronary heart disease and help with weight loss (MUFA), it also contains large amounts of Omega-3 fatty the best for heart health," Kler added. as well," said Dr Amrendra Kumar Pandey, Consultant, acids and alpha-linolenic acid which are proven to Cardiologist. Mustard oil also contains a phytochemical compound decrease oxidative stress and inflammation. The worst of the lot, Aggarwal says, is Trans Fat -- he known as Allyl Isothiocyanate (AITC) that offers strong "The composition of mustard oil is a cardiologist's calls it a "killer fat" because it causes heart disease and anti-inflammatory characteristics. A study published in the delight -- that's why an increasing number of doctors are stroke by building up cholesterol in the arteries. Journal of Cellular & Molecular Medicine shows that it recommending mustard oil to reduce the risk of heart Mustard oil is a healthy option because it contains no disease, hypertension and other related health issues," helps fight and reduce inflammation in the colon and the gastrointestinal tract. Trans Fat, does not turn rancid, and does not lead to the said Dr Pragya Gupta, Senior Scientist and Director at production of harmful free radicals. Mustard Research Promotion Consortium (MRPC), the Here is another interesting benefit that becomes Eating too much of Trans Fats may raise unhealthy R&D wing of Puri Oil Mills Ltd. particularly relevant against the backdrop of the current LDL cholesterol and lower healthy HDL cholesterol. This pandemic. "Covid-19 is a fatty virus and mustard oil is According to a renowned cardiologist, Dr T.S. Kler, imbalance can increase your risk of high blood pressure, anti-obesity oil", said Aggarwal in a webinar recently. Chairman, Fortis Heart and Vascular Institute, Gurugram hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), heart attack and Fortis Hospital, Vasant Kunj, mustard oil has several A study published in the Asian Journal of Clinical and stroke. benefits as compared to other oils. Nutrition indicates that the regular consumption of Entertainment Mauritius Times Tuesday, March 23, 2021 15 When Priyanka Chopra revealed things about her Is Bollywood star Sara Ali Khan inviting life, career and family… marriage proposals through Instagram? 5 takeaways from PC's verything that Sara Ali Khan does makes Enews. This specially rings true when the Bollywood star decides to take to Instagram to interview with Oprah Winfrey invite, wait for it, wedding proposals. Before you stop reading and rush off to check her latest Instagram post, let us put all specula- tions to rest and say she put up that post in jest. Probably, comments Bindu Rai of Gulf News. Dressed in what appears to be bridal finery, Ali Khan put out a message to her 31 million followers on the photo-sharing site, asking: "Any marriage proposals for #susheel #gharelu #sanskari #ladki [gentle, homely, virtuous girl]??" For the uninitiated, the 25-year-old star was sharing pictures from her shoot that was part of the 'Nooraniyat' a fashion couture film that she shot for celebrity designer Manish Malhotra, which was filmed in Rajasthan. The 'Coolie No. 1' star has shared a series of pictures from the shoot, stunning in intricate bridal designs created by Malhotra. Even though the post appeared to be a joke, it didn't stop several hopeful fans Re' is billed as a cross-cultural love story and is rom first impression about Nick such a helpless feeling." sending across their proposals to the young star releasing this August. Jonas to her Bollywood strug- F 3. She was bullied and racial- through Instagram. Meanwhile, the actress just welcomed her gle, here are five takeaways from ly harassed at school The actress will be seen next in 'Atrangi Re', new sibling, a baby brother which was born to her Oprah Winfrey-hosted show 'Super Priyanka revealed that she co-starring Akshay Kumar, Dhanush and Nimrat father, actor Saif Ali Khan and his second wife, Soul'. The main topic of the con- moved to Boston, US at the age of Kaur, which is directed by Aanand L. Rai. 'Atrangi actress Kareena Kapoor last month. versation was Priyanka Chopra's 16. There, she was a target of recently released memoir titled intense bullying of racial kind. She 'Unfinished', as reported by Indian On completing 25 years in Bollywood told Oprah, "High school is hardy Express. anyway. To be coming of age, to 1. She is a firm believer in understand your body as a woman. Rani Mukerji: 'My struggle and God At the same time being devalued During the interview, PeeCee for something I couldn't change. I learning is still on' said that being an Indian, she was wasn't aware that this is something exposed to nearly every major reli- I should feel embarrassed about." "My journey has not stopped since the day I gion and religious practices while 4. How Priyanka judged the was 16. The struggle and learning are still on. growing up and does believe in a book by its cover regarding Nick There is a lot I still have to accomplish. The more higher power. She said during the Jonas I work with different directors and actors, the more I learn. With each film, I discover a new me. I love interview, "In India it's hard not to, Priyanka said that when she telling important and powerful women stories. I you're right. With the swirling num- first looked at Nick, she may have hope my next 25 years are as good as my past 25 ber of religions that live in the "judged the book by the cover". years. And I hope I continue to get the kind of love country… I grew up in a convent She added, "I may have judged the my fans have showered on me till now," the school. So I was aware of book by the cover. I didn't honestly 42-year-old said. Christianity. My dad used to sing in take it very seriously when Nick a mosque. I was aware of Islam. I was texting me. I was 35, I was Fans were also keen to know if she is coming grew up in a Hindu family. I was like, 'I want to get married, I want to back on the screens with the third-instalment of aware of that. Spirituality is such a have kids. He's in his 20s, I don't if Mardaani, a crime-thriller that saw Rani in an large part of India that you can't that's something he'd want to do.' I action-packed police avatar. ignore it." did that to myself for a while, till I Quashing the rumour, Rani said, "No, there is 2. When her faith was tested actually went out with him." no Mardaani 3. I wish there was because it is one It was her father's death that 5. She regrets not standing of my favourite franchises." tested Priyanka's faith. She told up for herself when she was Rani also spoke about Bunty Aur Babli 2, a Oprah in an answer to a question, mistreated sequel of her 2005 film with the same name. "I was very angry. My relationship Priyanka talked about her While the first film featured Rani alongside with God changed a little bit. But struggles in the early days in the n the eve of her birthday, Rani Mukerji Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan, in then at the same time, I feel like film industry that involved a direc- Osurprised her fans by going live from Yash the 2021 version, Rani will be seen with Saif Ali God helped me find salvation and tor forcing her to do a dance per- Raj Films' Instagram handle. The actor spoke Khan. Talking about sharing the screen space come out of it too. But at that time, formance. She revealed that due to about her journey as an actor, shooting with Saif with her Hum Tum co-star, Rani said that this it was tested. Oh man, I went to her being a newcomer, she could Ali Khan for Bunty Aur Babli 2 and also revealed time, on the sets, they spoke about parenting and every temple there was to go to. I not find the courage to voice her about her next project, reports A. Kameshwari of exchanged stories of Adira and Taimur. did every prayer there was to do. I opinion. She said, "I was so Indian Express. Bunty Aur Babli 2 also stars Siddhanth met every godman or woman I scared. I was new in the entertain- Interestingly, Rani also completes 25 years in Chaturvedi and Sharvari Wagh. Rani promised needed to meet, every doctor I ment business and girls are always Bollywood this year. The actor made her debut that the audience will enjoy the sequel, which has need to go to. I flew my dad to told that 'you don't want to get a with Bengali film Biyer Phool and later, featured in been directed by Varun V Sharma. Singapore, New York, Europe, reputation of being hard to work Bollywood movie Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat (1996). Rani celebrated her 43rd birthday on March India, everywhere just to do what- with.' So I worked within the sys- During the live session, she said her journey in 21. ever I could to prolong his life. It's tem." films is still going on. Entertainment Mauritius Times Tuesday, March 23, 2021 16 we couldn't get along but I haven't told her Telly Stars Talk Kamya Panjabi on her 2 what our fights were all about and how big they were. Her childhood should be fine, amya Panjabi, who is currently seen and even Bunty understood this. Kin 'Shakti- Astitva Ke Ehsaas Ki', cele- marriages: "I never thought Does Aara meet her father brated her first wedding anniversary with frequently? Shalabh Dang on February 19, 2021. ETimes TV caught up with the actress who Aara meets Bunty every day; he comes is in her happy space right now and I'll marry again" over. Bunty and I are not friends but we enjoying a blissful married life for our Telly have a very respectful relationship now. thing to save it. I didn't want to separate. I Stars Talk segment. Kamya also spoke up So, Bunty has met Shalabh... about her first marriage with Bunty Negi as continued to tolerate a lot. I used to return Yes, very much. I had even invited him well. Excerpts from the conversation: from award functions and look in the mirror and wonder: Am I the same person who for my wedding with Shalabh. How has your first year of marriage just a few minutes back was being cheered But he didn't attend... with Shalabh Dang been? loudly for her award? I was very unhappy That's because he was not in India on The entire year has gone in planning and used to feel very weak that I couldn't that date (February 20, 2020). 'Lekin who's going to Mumbai and who's going to help myself. Yes, I gave it one more shot baatcheet hui thi', he congratulated me. Delhi. Even right now, Shalabh is in Delhi. and went back to Bunty; I didn't want to There's no bitterness between Bunty and I am a daily soap actor, so we just don't regret later that I didn't try to my fullest me. know when we'll meet next. 'Kuch plan extent. Meanwhile, Aara was born. But yet, nahin kar sakte.' However, there was a it didn't work out. When did you first meet Shalabh? lockdown soon after we got married. This And then? I first met him on February 1, 2019. But gave us time with each other but soon I spoke to my parents and friends. My before that, I had spoken to him on Shalabh got busy as he is in the health- January 17, 2019. Soon I felt I was falling care industry. friends wanted me to end it: They said 'khatam kar, kuch nahi bacha hai yeh rela- in love with him. So, what's the plan? Are you going tionship mein.' When I finally ended it, it What was that January 17, 2019, call to shift to Delhi or is he shifting to happened when Bunty had met with an about? Mumbai? accident and was on bed rest. I saw that I (Smiles) Well, I haven't said this any- I love acting and can't leave it. Shalabh was doing so much, but yet I was not being where before. But I shall talk about it today. said that we'll keep shuttling as per what acknowledged. Worse still, the fights were I used to get anxiety attacks. Someone our individual work demands, since travel- still happening even when he was advised suggested that I should speak to Shalabh, ling Mumbai-Delhi or Delhi-Mumbai is not to take full rest, and a time came when I a health professional. And then... (laughs), too difficult. Right now, we haven't been anyway thought that I should move out to now no more anxiety attacks. discussing this. But I guess, one of us will make him feel better. Woh din mujhe aaj move in the next four or five years. So let's bhi yaad hai. I didn't tell anybody. I just Go on... see where we eventually park ourselves - took my handbag and moved out. My mom And, I am glad that Shalabh is not from Delhi or Mumbai. had come over and she took care of Aara the TV or film industry. That gives us so in my absence. I stayed in a hotel all alone; Clearly, you are too passionate much to talk to each other. I was shooting for 'Nautanki' then. I didn't about your work. Your list of serials is I can't agree with you on that, totally. want anybody around me to colour my too long... Your first marriage was also with a mind. I waited for Bunty to get better so businessman... It might sound filmy but when it comes that he could find a place for himself. And to being an actor, I think it this way: "Jeena then, I returned. And mind you, 'Nautanki' (Laughs) Woh mera bachpan tha. yahan, marna yahan. Acting is my passion; was a comedy show. Shalabh and I have met at an age where it gives me a lot of energy, it makes me we both have seen so much in life; we are Did it affect your performance? immensely happy. If I stop working, I think very mature today. I'll fall sick. No. In fact, I discovered myself during Who makes up first? If you are so much into acting, you the early days of our separation. I don't know why but it was only then that I Shalabh (smiles). are bound to see some scenes in a way certain times if I feel so. which is different from what the maker realised for the first time that I could forget Babies? Are you and Shalabh is seeing... You were very committed to your my miseries when the camera was planning kids? first marriage too. You even went back switched on. That love for my work kept Of course, that happens, in fact many Shalabh and I don't want to produce to Bunty Negi to start afresh. How me alive. times -- lekin ye har actor ke saath hota kids. We have two, na? We are very happy difficult was it when it yet ended? hoga. Many times, actors are not con- And now? How's it between Bunty with Aara and Ishan. Now, we want to vinced about what they've been given to Honestly, it wasn't difficult and I have and you? enjoy life. Aara and Ishan have grown up enact. But let me tell you, I, for one, am no hesitation in saying so. I gave 10 years We are cordial. I have never kept Aara and even they are bonding very well with allowed to do it in my own different way at to my marriage with Bunty. I tried every- away from her father. I have told her that each other. Radhika Madan: Not many TV actors want to bring down their ego adhika Madan has made a mark as a Bollywood wouldn't have survived otherwise. even if you blink an eye, you miss the Ractress with her roles in Angrezi Medium, Pataakha It's a different medium. The scene," she said. and Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota. However, before her film dialogues are different, the For Radhika, who played the lead in debut in 2018, she was a well-known television star. delivery scenes are different. Now television show Meri Aashiqui Tumse Hi you are sitting in a dark room in Talking about her transition from television to films, the between 2014 and 2016, taking the leap front of a huge screen in front of actress said it was important to shed the ego that comes wasn't difficult because she was ready to you without distraction. Whereas with television stardom. evolve in accordance to her new medium. in television, people watch it -- "It (change of medium) was not difficult "In television, fame comes really quickly, so you get especially the saas-bahu sagas -- in my head. I was aware that television is a the ego boost really quickly. Once the ego is high up there while taking care of their kids or different medium and movies are different and you want to start with films, I don't think a lot of cutting vegetable or doing house- and I needed to change my acting style. I people are ready to bring their ego down and start as a hold chores. The actors' perfor- needed to unlearn whatever I have learnt," student," she told IANS. mance needs to be up by a notch said the actress. Was it easy for her to leave her ego behind? "I to get the attention but in movies Watch’s On Mauritius Times Tuesday, March 23, 2021 17

Mardi 23 Mars - 21.15 Evolution Avec: David Duchovny, Orlando Jones, Julianne Moore MBC 1 MBC 2 MBC 3 Cine 12 Bollywood TV 07.00 Dessin Anime 10.00 Serial: CID 06.00 Mag: Eco@Africa 01.26 Film: Contract Killers 08.00 Film: Hum Hai Teen 08.45 Film: Zoo 10.44 Serial: Ye Vaada Raha 06.39 Mag: Voa Connect 03.08 Serial: The Good Doctor Khurafaati 10.25 Local Prod: Zanfan Nou Zil 12.04 Film: Chori Mera Kaam 07.00 Mag: In Good Shape 03.49 Film: Le Grande Muraille 12.04 / 19.54 - Sanjivani 11.00 Mag: Garden Makeover Starring: Ashok Kumar,Shashi 07.33 Mag: Le Saviez Vous? 05.25 Tele: Muneca Brava 12.26 / 20.11 - 12.00 Le Journal Kapoor,Zeenat Aman 07.36 Doc: Amazing Gardens 06.48 Film: Signed, Sealed, Delive... Radha Krishna 12.25 Tele: Le Prix Du Désir 15.00 Serial: Ek Deewana Tha 09.26 Mag: Global 3000 09.00 Serial: The Magicians 12.44 / 20.32 Agnphera 13.00 Local Prod: Elle 15.21 Serial: Aamhi Doghi 10.21 Doc: Shattered Dreams 09.45 Tele: Daniella 13.09 / 21.09 - 14.30 D.Animes: Sissi 15.43 Serial: Mooga Manasulu 11.06 Mag: Eco@Africa 10.35 Tele: Tanto Amor Bade Acche Lagte Hai 14.57 D.Anime: Teenie Weenie 16.03 Serial: Apoorva Raagangal 11.32 Mag: Arts And Culture 11.01 Serial: The Good Doctor 13.28 / 21.24 - Zindagi Ki Mehek 14.59 D.Anime: The Garfield Show 16.29 Serial: Suno Chanda 12.10 Mag: In Good Shape 12.00 Film: La Grande Muraille 13.51 / 21.59 - Naagin Season 3 15.24 D.Anime: Kulipari An Army... 16.50 Serial: Achra Ke Moti 12.42 Doc: Amazing Gardens 13.32 Tele: Muneca Brava 14.33 / 22.25 - Ikyawann 15.46 D.Anime: HTDT 17.11 Kullfi Kumarr Bajewala 13.09 Mag: Future Mag 14.17 Mag: Hollywood On Set 14.52 / 22.56 - 16.37 D.Anime: Baby Boss 17.28 Telugu - Premabhishekam 13.38 Doc: 360 GEO 14.45 Film: Signed, Sealed, Deliver.. Yeh Hai Mohabbatein 17.20 Serial: Heidi, Bienvenida a... 18.00 Serial: Colourful Bone 14.59 Mag: Washington Forum 16.40 Serial: The Magicians 15.37 Film: Fareb 17.30 Live - Covid 19 18.30 DDI Magazine 15.27 Doc: Shattered Dreams 17.23 Serial: Shades Of Blue Starring: Shilpa Shetty, Shamita 18.00 Live: Samachar 18.59 Mag: Sur Mesure 16.09 Mag: Eco@Africa 18.05 Tele: Daniella Shetty, Manoj Bajpayee 18.30 Serial: Jamai Raja 19.30 DDI Magazine 17.03 Mag: In Good Shape 19.00 Tele: Tanto Amor 18.00 Live: Samacher mardi 23 mars 19.30 Journal & La Meteo 20.00 Local: Tamil Programme 18.02 Mag: Rev: The Global Auto... 20.05 Tele: Le Prix Du Désir 18.30 Kundali Bhagya 20.35 Local Prod: An Eta Dalert 20.30 Film: Harjaee 19.00 Student Support Prog... 20.30 Serial: Shades Of Blue 18.52 Serial: Ek Rishta 21.10 Film: Maudie Starring: Shammi Kapoor, Mala 19.26 Mag: Le Saviez Vous? 21.15 Film: Evolution Saajhedari Ka 23.00 Le Journal Sinha, Randhir Kapoor 19.59 Doc: Ville En Fête 22.53 Tele: Muneca Brava 19.15 Mere Angne Mein

07.00 Dessin Anime 10.00 Pyar Ka Dard Meetha... 06.00 Rev: The Global Auto... 00.20 Serial: Shades Of Blue 08.00 Film: Fareb 08.35 Film: Zapped 11.17 Suhani Ek Ladhi 06.26 Doc: Can Green Investment 01.26 Film: Evolution 12.04 / 20.06 - Sanjivani 10.20 Local Prod: Zanfan Nou Zil 12.00 Film: Meri Bhabhi 06.52 Mag: Check In 02.59 Serial: The Good Doctor 12.24 / 20.26 - Radha Krishna 12.00 Le Journal Stars: Sunil Dutt, Waheeda 07.26 Mag: Made In Germany 03.47 Film: Love Over Distance 12.46 / 20.02 - Agniphera 12.25 Tele: Le Prix Du Désir Rehman, Mehmood 07.52 Doc: Ville En Fête 05.21 Tele: Muneca Brava 13.10 / 20.46 12.55 Prod Indepen: Met Seryer 15.00 Serial: Ek Deewana Tha 08.46 Doc: Che Guevara, Naiss... 06.45 Film: A Doggone Adventure Bade Acche Lagte Hai Mercredi 24 Mars - 21.25 14.30 D.Anime: Johnny Test 15.22 Aamhi Doghi 10.09 Local: Klip Seleksion 09.00 Serial: The Magicians 13.30 / 21.09 - 14.53 D.Anime: Teenie Weenie 15.44 Mooga Manasulu 11.58 Doc: Can Green Investment 09.44 Tele: Daniella Zindagi Ki Mehek Xtinction: Predator X 14.55 D.Anime: The Garfield Show 16.10 Apoorva Raagangal 12.28 Mag: Check In 10.35 Tele: Tanto Amor 13.53 / 21.31 - Naagin Season 3 15.19 D.Anime: Kulipari An Army... 16.30 Serial: Suno Chanda 13.06 Mag: Made In Germany 11.01 Serial: The Good Doctor 14.35 / 21.46 - Ikyawann 15.42 D.Anime: HTDT 16.53 Serial: Achra Ke Moti 13.26 Doc: Ville En Fête 12.00 Film: Love Over Distance 14.36 / 21.59 - 15.56 D.Anime: Robot Trains 17.12 Kullfi Kumarr Bajewala 13.57 Doc: Olivia’s Garden 13.35 Tele: Muneca Brava Yeh Hai Mohabbatein 16.10 D.Anime: La Famille Blaireau 17.33 Serial: Kulvadhu 15.14 Local: Close Up 14.45 Film: A Doggone Adventure 15.20 Film: Khoobsurat 16.34 D.Anime: Baby Boss 18.00 Serial: Colourful Bone 15.42 Local: Klip Seleksion 16.40 Serial: The Magicians Starring: Sanjay Dutt, Urmila 17.00 Serial: Heidi, Bienvenida... 18.30 Serial: DDI Magazine 17.10 Mag: Rev: The Global Auto.. 17.22 Serial: Shades Of Blue Matondkar, Om Puri, Farida Jalal 18.00 Live: Samachar 19.00 Mag: Sur Mesure 18.05 Tele: Daniella 17.36 Mag: Check In 18.00 Live: Samachar 18.30 Serial: Jamai Raja 19.30 DDI Magazine 19.00 Mag: Close Up 18.00 Mag: Motorweek 18.30 Kumkum Bhagya 19.30 Journal & La Meteo 20.00 Programme In Marathi 20.05 Tele: Le Prix Du Désir 18.30 Mag: Vous Et Nous 18.51 Ek Rishta Saajhed Ka 20.10 Local: MFDC - Moris Nou 22.04 Film: More Than Friends 19.00 Student Support Prog... 20.30 Serial: 19-2

mercredi 24 mars 19.13 Mere Angne Mein Kiltir Nou Talan 23.06 Live: DDI Live 21.15 Film: Xtinction: Predator X 19.26 Mag: Le Saviez Vous? 19.35 Siddhi Vinayak 21.05 Film: Dead On Arrival 20.05 Mag: Tendance XXI 22.46 Tele: Muneca Brava 23.10 Local: Le Journal 20.40 Mag: Vue D’en Haut 23.31 Serial: The Magicians

06.00 Local: Klip Seleksion 10.00 Karm Phal Data Shani 06.00 Mag: Motorweek 01.28 Film: Xtinction 08.00 Film: Khoobsurat 06.45 Local: Sur Prise 12.05 Film: Farz Aur Kanoon 06.25 Mag: Vous Et Nous 02.54 Serial: The Good Doctor 12.05 / 19.54 - Sanjivani 08.45 Film: A Gift Horse Starring: Rati Agnihotri, Asrani, 07.24 Doc: Garden Party 03.35 Film: Signed, Sealed, Delive.. 12.22 / 20.11 - 10.10 Serial: Magic Mania Jeetendra, Hema Malini 08.18 Mag: Vue D’en Haut 04.59 Tele: Muneca Brava Radha Krishna 10.25 Local Prod: Zanfan Nou Zil 14.36 Mag: DDI Magazine 09.38 Mag: Initiative Africa 05.41 Serial: 19-2 12.44 / 20.32 Agniphera 12.00 Le Journal 15.00 Serial: Ek Deewana Tha 10.04 Mag: Focus On Europe 06.39 Film: Les Guerriers De... 13.07 / 21.09 - 12.25 Tele: Le Prix Du Désir 15.21 Aamhi Doghi 10.30 Doc: Southern Japan By Rail 09.00 Serial: The Magicians Bade Acche Lagte Hai 13.00 Mag: Urban Gardens 15.47 Mooga Manasulu 11.46 Mag: Vous Et Nous 10.35 Tele: Tanto Amor 13.29 / 21.24 - 14.30 D.Anime: Johnny Test 16.05 Apoorva Raagangal 14.49 Mag: Initiative Africa 11.01 Serial: The Good Doctor Zindagi Ki Mehek 14.53 D.Anime: Teenie Weenies 16.32 Serial: Suno Chanda 15.25 Mag: Focus On Europe 12.00 Film: Signed, Sealed, Delive.. 13.51 / 21.46 - Naagin 14.54 D.Anime: The Garfield Show 16.51 Serial: Achra Ke Moti 16.40 Mag: Motorweek 13.30 Tele: Muneca Brava 14.26 / 21.59 - Ikyawann 15.41 D.Anime: HTDT 17.13 Kullfi Kumarr Bajewala 17.06 Mag: Vous Et Vous 14.45 Film: Les Guerriers De... 14.47 / 22.52 15.53 D.Anime: Teenie Weenies 18.00 Serial: Colourful Bone 17.32 Mag: Arts.21 16.38 Serial: The Magicians Yeh Hai Mohabbatein 15.56 D.Anime: Robot Trains 18.30 Serial: Ghar Pahucha Da 18.00 Mag: Eco India 17.21 Serial: 19-2 15.20 Film: Lekar Hum 16.21 D.Anime: La Famille Blaireau Devi Maiya 18.30 Mag: Shift 18.05 Tele: Daniella Deewana Dil 18.00 Live: Samachar 19.00 Mag: Sur Mesure 19.00 Student Support Prog... 19.00 Tele: Tanto Amor Starring: Armaan Jain, Deeksha 18.30 Jamai Raja 20.05 Local: Les Grandes Lignes 19.34 Mag: Tomorrow Today 20.08 Tele: Le Prix Du Désir Seth, Nikita Dutta Jeudi 25 Mars - 21.15 jeudi 25 mars 18.55 Local: Tirth Yatra 20.57 Local Prod: Profil 20.05 Doc: Check In 20.30 Serial: 19-2 18.00 Samachar Avec:Mike Epps, Zulay Henao, 19.30 Le Journal 21.10 Film: Meet The Blacks 20.30 Local: News (English) 21.15 Film: Drone 18.30 Kundali Bhagya 21.32 Doc: Antarctica 18.51 Ek Rishta Saajhed Ka Alex Henderson 20.15 Film: Goliyon Ki Raasleela Starring: Mike Epps, Zulay 22.45 Tele: Muneca Brava Ram-Leela Henao, Alex Henderson 22.15 Doc: Seeds Of Profit 23.30 Serial: The Magicians 19.11 Mere Angne Mein

Star: Armaan Jain, Deeksha Stars: Ranveer Singh, Jeudi 25 Mars - 15.20 Seth, Nikita Dutta Jeudi 25 Mars - 20.15 Deepika Padukone Society Mauritius Times Tuesday, March 23, 2021 18 How to deal with a year of accumulated Tree of Knowledge burnout from working at home Madisyn Taylor Over the past year, our lives have seen extensive changes which have led to How Energy many of us feeling a sense of exhaustion and burnout family can confuse us into think- ing the distance is somehow a Moves At Home rejection. The cognitive effort of managing these conflicting eep the energy in your home messages is tiring. Kvital by treating it as an impor- Video calls also force us to tant aspect of your life. look at ourselves more than we Our living spaces can become are used to doing, and this can nurturing homes for our bodies and feel uncomfortable and make us souls when we make sure that our worry excessively about how surroundings accurately reflect who others perceive us. we are as individuals and who we But turning the video off aspire to become. No matter how Nilufar Ahmed while on a call can increase positive and creative you may be in We now spend our days looking at a screen, with a great deal of our Lecturer in Social Sciences, burnout in other ways - people your inner world, if your home or communication taking place via video calls. Photo - insights.dice.com University of Bristol may use the opportunity to work surroundings are contradictory check emails or catch up on break the monotony and associ- of the table to place work items or present energetic barriers, you other work while listening in. ation of screens with burnout. in, and that you open every are likely to find it difficult to mani- he luckiest among us have This multitasking is mentally Additionally, sharing the space morning to mark the start of fest all that you desire. By paying Tbeen able to remove our- draining. with colleagues you are friend- work. attention to the flow of energy selves from harm's way and We are much more efficient lier with in real life and who fall To limit multitasking and around you, you can align your work from home during the pan- when we work on one task at a in to our personal space increase focus, close down inner intentions with your outer demic. We now spend our days time. Our brains respond to the allowance, makes the online additional tabs and browsers, realities to make your life a looking at a screen, with a great end of one activity and the onset encounter less stressful. turn your phone to silent, and conscious act of creation. deal of our communication of a new activity from pre- The charity Fight for Sight check and respond to emails at We can look to the ancient Asian taking place via video calls. This learned cues. Often these cues suggests a 20-20-20 rule where set times. art of feng shui for guidance. Since has led to what has been involve physical movement. for every 20 minutes looking at Sticking to a routine of the words "feng" and "shui" mean termed "zoom fatigue", where These have largely disap- a screen you look away at a dis- starting and stopping work at "wind" and "water," you may want to our brains are exhausted from peared - the daily commute is tance of 20 metres for 20 the same time every day by walk through your home and overstimulation. the most obvious absence for seconds to limit eye strain. adding a fake commute - where imagine the way these elements Aside from the eye strain of those working from home, but Where possible, during video you get ready and leave the would flow through your space. You looking at a screen all day (if we walking to and from meetings meetings keep the camera off or house before circling back and can evaluate whether or not your are not looking at a computer, also allows the brain and body switch to phone calls, and starting work - can help create a home is a balanced ecosystem that we're often looking at our TV or time to prepare for the next task. consider whether meetings mental division of space. would allow a plant to flourish. A our phone), our sense of space Outside of work, doing the need to be a full hour. As we enter into spring with straight path between doorways is disrupted by video meetings. school run, going to the gym Before and after a meeting already noticeable longer, would make nourishing elements Suddenly, everyone is much and regular appointments all get up from your desk, move brighter days, it is the perfect rush right through, while a pleasant- closer than they would be in a add structure and separation of around a bit to mimic the moment to increase the time we ly meandering stream would pre-pandemic meeting. space to our lives. walking to and from meetings, spend outdoors, and to get instead create a flow that nurtures In the 1960s, the anthropolo- The blurring of home and and try to build one no-meeting exercise which is a natural life. Look for signs of debris that gist Edward Hall described how work is not only due to bringing day into your working week. mood elevator. might obstruct the flow of such a our relationships operate within our work into our homes, but Having distinct spaces helps Being outdoors helps us to river. Clutter acts like hurdles socially accepted distances. also the longer hours people our brains to psychologically placed in your path, blocking you Close family and intimate rela- feel more connected with report working. Being unable or switch off from work. If the from creating what you want in your tionships occur within a proximi- others, even with maintaining unmotivated to take part in our life. Once the obstacles are recog- ty of half a metre. For close dining table is used as a desk in social distance we can usual activities means the the day, move work items out of exchange pleasantries, or even nized, however, they can be friends, this distance extends to removed to let energy flow freely about 1.2 metres. weeks and weekends have sight at the end of the day. This just smiles, which can increase begun to morph in to unboun- could be just a box by the side wellbeing. throughout your home and your life The pandemic is sending our daried time, and the shorter so that you can thrive. brain conflicting messages. days of winter lessen the dis- Your home can be thought of as With video calls, faces are with- tinction between day and night. Remembrance: Dr Kapeeldeosing Soobagrah a symbolic metaphor for your life. A in 50 centimetres of us, and this neglected space may correspond to tells our brain that these are How to get through One year has already elapsed since you left us a lack of growth in your career or close or intimate friends when So how can we address this for your heavenly abode. It was life's highest personal relationships. By shifting instead they are colleagues or feeling of burnout and exhaus- honour and greatest blessing for us to have had your perception, you shift the way strangers. Similarly, social dis- tion? you in our lives. you direct your energy and atten- tancing rules have forced our Build time into your working By the Grace of the Almighty and Guru's tion, which can enable you to make loved ones out into a much day for casual chat that is not blessings, may you reach the highest realm in the the changes you need to actively more distant field that is usually work-related. Daily conversa- upper world and attain the eternal, peace and create the life of your dreams. If you reserved for people we may tions range from small talk liberation - this is our heartfelt prayer for your soul. need some assistance, you can meet or know socially, but not about the weather, to more sub- The golden memories of your presence among us will be always turn to a feng shui practi- very well - acquaintances rather stantive conversation about our treasured in our hearts forever. tioner, but the most important thing than friends. lives. Hari Om! is that you understand what While our rational brain Make time for these conver- Deeply missed and remembered by wife Urmillah, and resonates with your core being in understands social distancing, sations, maybe arrange an Sandev, Diyaand, Yuvraj, Jivita and grandchildren Shaun, Anish, order to feel alive and nurtured by the physical inability to touch online lunch. The different use Shriyaa, Triaksha and Mishikhaa - all near and dear ones. your home. and hold our close friends and of the technology will help to