Candle-Night Is an Activity for Raising Concerns About Energy and Environmental Problems

National Candle-Night Mauritius (NCNM) is the story of a ‘wild dream; and that of a dedicated struggle against ‘almost everything’ which eventually culminated into the 1st Candle-Night ever to be organized in Southern Hemisphere on 02nd June 2006.

‘ Candle-Night’ is an activity for raising concerns about energy and environmental problems. It was originally initiated by some Japanese NGOs, specially the Daichi-O- Mamoru-Kai (Association to Preserve the Earth), and the Sloth Club and later promoted by the Japanese Candle Night Committee (JCNC).In 2003, the Japan's Ministry of the Environment (MOE) added its official support to this event and since then, the activity was officially promoted under the slogan of "Turn off the lights, and take it slow”.

Candle-Night in Japan and NCNM in Mauritius- How it all happened? This is something worth sharing as it all started with an exchange programme. There are numerous exchange programmes which take place all around the world. So many people participate zealously in these but very few sustain the spirit of these exchange programmes once the latter are officially over. One of the main aims of ‘exchanges’ is to bring home something from ‘others’ and transmit it to the local community; the roots of National Candle-Night Mauritius are thus firmly tied to such a programme.

The Ship for World Youth Programe (SWY) which is organized annually by Cabinet Office of Japan and the IYEO is perhaps the only large scale ‘long-duration’ and wholesome exchange programme that exists in the world. In 2005, the Republic of Mauritius was invited to participate in the 17th SWY programme and Mr. G.Raj Chintaram (Secretary-General of Association Civique Midlands & Chairman of Global One Foundation) was amongst the lucky few who formed part of the Mauritian Delegation. Mr. Chintaram once attended an informal presentation of one of his Japanese ‘swymates’ on Candle-Night.He was greatly fascinated by the innovative ways in which Japanese Prefectures organize Candle-Night all throughout Japan. Once back to Mauritius, he launched himself in a very daring enterprise- that of organizing Candle-Night locally.

The JCNC has a vision to expand globally ‘a gentle wave of darkness’, on ‘a night without excessive lights’, and invite people around the people to join the event. In 2005, Candle- Night got off the shores of Japan and reached Shanghai (China) and Vancouver

1 (Canada).Preliminary contacts were established with the JCNC and Ms Chizuko Sato guidance was of great help.

The NCNM project was tabled at Association Civique Midlands (ACM) Management. Then members of ACM, Global One Foundation & RCC-Environment Health Club teamed together to constitute the NCNM Organizing Committee {NCNMOC); thus was set the machinery to organize the 1st Candle-Night in Southern Hemisphere. The task in front of the NCNMOC was indeed Herculean; when people heard about Candle-Night, they took it as a joke or as just something related to lovers romancing around candle-menus. More, convincing people and the authorities about such a project was a real challenge. At first many people disregarded it, even some members of the NCNM Organizing Committee left the bandwagon as they could not cope with the pressure. In Japan and other countries of the Northern Hemisphere, Candle Night is organized during the summer (21st June) & winter (about 22nd Dec) solstices. For the 1st edition, NCNMOC wanted to coincide the activity with the World Environment Day (05th of June) celebrations.

The NCNM logo was designed by Victor Chui Hom Lap (student at Royal College Curepipe). The logo portrays a typical moment during this special moment. It symbolizes the Mauritian community holding hands, united around a warm candle light in the dark and enjoying the event. The colours of each figure represent our national flag and the overall flower shape of the logo is a symbol of harmony. In a nutshell, the logo symbolizes the essence of 'National Candle-Night Mauritius'.

NCNM definitely required lots of resources in many sectors, especially financial and the worst of all, no firms/institutions considered worthwhile to ‘sponsor’ such an activity. Many did not want to take any risk by associating their corporate name to this event. We have been very pragmatic and we knew that without mass mediatic support and advertising, it would have been very difficult for us to propagate our message. However, even the media did not support this endeavour to its best, may be only the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) played the game to some extent.

The committee opted for the exotic Le Café du Vieux for the official celebrations; an almost perfect venue for Candle-Night. A team worked upon the programme; this was to be very selective and event-appropriate. It took weeks to screen artists, stage rehearsals etc to come up with the final programme. For a whole month we screened artists and programmes and staged rehearsals etc. In the meantime the committee was running against time to raise sufficient funds to accommodate the event at the said venue with other associated expenses. Thursday 01st June, just one night to go and yet NCNMOC was far from meeting 50% of the budget. The team worked whole night long and just before midnight it came up with an exemplary solution, as it was just the end of the month, everyone decided to specially donate 30-50% of their month’s salary to meet the budget deficit. Things said things done and after weeks and weeks of exhaustive work came the D- Day.

Friday 02nd June 2006: 19hrs00- the stage was set for the 1st Candle-Night celebrations in Mauritius. A number of distinguished personalities graced the function, amongst we had:

2 Hon Dr Abu Talib Kasenally Minister of Public Utilities, Hon Reza Issack Lord-Mayor of the City of Port-Louis, Hon Nita Deerpalsing M.P, Hon Sunil Dowarkasing M.P, Mr. Parmasiva Chegan President of the MACOSS and a number of other councilors.

The event started with a Peace Message by Mrs. Homa Munagpen, Secretary of the Council of Religions and this was followed by a countdown narration welcoming the 1 st Candle-Night celebrations. The Diya Dance Group presented a semi-classical Indian dance with candles. It was a very well-choreographed candle ballet which ‘spread the candle warmth amongst the guests attending the function’.

The Chairman of NCNM Organizing Committee, made a very down-to-earth address, highlighting the plights of the committee in the organization of NCNM. Mr. Parmasiva Chegan of the MACOSS stressed upon the increasing role of NGOs in the better of civil society. In her address, Hon Nita Deerpalsing called upon all those present to ‘turn on the light within oneself on for ever’ and to toil for a better society.

The Budis Friends (a group under the aegis of the Ombudsperson for Children) presented two items, amongst the very heart touching ‘Sime La Limiere’ of the famous Kaya. A raw youth talent, Ms Karen Cangy sung ‘Can’t Fight the Moonlight’ [Lyrics Artist: LeAnn Rimes Lyrics] and this was a real delight.

His Worship Reza Issack, Lord Mayor Port-Louis expressed his joy over such an event and lastly the Chief-Guest, who was none other than, Hon Dr Abu Kasenally Minister of Public Utilities talked about the National Energy Saving Campaign and laid much emphasis on the need for the efficient use of electricity/energy. The event ended with another dance item ‘Lumiere du Monde’, here again special emphasis was on soothing light.

NCNM definitely did not reach the mass, but it to start from somewhere and inpsite of all the odds NCNMOC did it. The team is already getting geared for the next edition, already scheduled on Friday 05th April 2007 and this time a Candle-Night will be organized in many parts of the islands unlike the 1st edition.

Acknowledgments

The Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation, the Staff of Le Café du Vieux Conseil, RCC Environment Health Club, the Municipal Council of Port-Louis, Mooneeram Printing, Budis Friends, Star Knitwear, the MACOSS and Mr. Yusuf Sookall.

Also big thanks to: Mr. Yashneel Gobin, Mr. Deepak Balgobin, Mr. Victor Chui Hom Lap, Mr. Shermann Jivanji, Mr. Kenny Li Chong, Mr. Wasiim Jaulim, Dr. Rishi Rao Mahder, Ms. Razita Dabedial, , Mr. Dhanvir Seewoosaha, Mr. Shyam Sukkoo, Ms. Karishma Marcharchand ,Mr. Chitanand Sujuwon and the ACM team.