ISSUES]Sustainable Mauritius : MID takes shape (on paper, at least) > pp. 34-35

Insert N° 3• Friday 22 APRIL 2011 INTERVIEW] Rashid Imrith Editorial ] “Medpoint is an opportunity by Touria PRAYAG to improve the Civil Service” More action, less acting > p. 37 ome were better actors than others; some were more talented at simulation than others; some were more ready to play the game than others but the performance we attended at the Legislative SAssembly last Tuesday was theatrical: smiles were in order, some outbursts of forced laughter and some rather strained attempts at showing C.T Power one’s wisdom teeth. The producer did a superb job, though the rehearsal time may have been short. When the play ended, we resisted the intense, almost uncontrollable, urge to applaud and congratulate the actors for their wonderful performance. As the production progressed, all the members of government, uni- Greenwashing ted, even joined in the boos and the applause. If the maestro was satisfi ed with this grand performance, he did not show it. He did not look parti- cularly amused but he did, however, look relaxed. All is well then. Government is united. Very well. Good on them. Good on the country for, much as we are taxed with wanting to break up Coal? the government to make room for the MMM, we really have no interest in doing so. A government which was elected by the people should carry on with its mandate until the people decide otherwise in the right demo- cratic forum. Instability has never been good for any country, least of all for investment of which we are badly in need. And, let’s face it: having a strong opposition is much better for the stability of the country than having a weak, virtually non-existent one. Our quest for transparency and our angst about corruption should not be confused with playing the game of the opposition. We will not. We are not interested in the spurious claims hurled at government, the “scandals” or “mega scandals” they are brandishing or the frenzy they are whipping up to serve on May Day. However, unless we choose to live in a cave and have our fi ngers fi rmly thrust in our ears, we cannot help being peeved about the MedPoint saga and, more recently, the scrapping of the implementation of the system meant to regulate the criminal activities of book makers. When the audit report comes out, who will be able to explain the Rs. 5m gone down the drain to save the fraudsters of this country, who enrich themselves on money immorally wrung from the poor? Who will explain why they are being given even more opportunities to keep the ill-gotten money for themselves? These criticisms were not voiced by the opposition or by some moral-hand-wringing brigade but by members of the government and they, therefore, deserve to be looked into. The press has a moral obligation to take them seriously. Ignoring them would help spread a climate of impunity and, as politicians get away with serious malpractices, a noxious message is passed to the rest of the population. It is our responsibility to take up concerns of national importance. Those we have elected to serve our interests and who have used every opportunity to fi ll their pockets should be sanctioned. The image our leaders seem to be so anxious to send us about the unity of two or three partners who share nothing but ambition is beside the point. It is frankly not our problem. All we want is for parliament to overcome its reluctance to tackle corruption and show that it is working in our best interests. And for that, the guilty heads MUST roll. Govern- ment can then carry on with what it has been elected to do. No show is needed to justify that. > pp. 38 - 39 [email protected] l’express [ Friday 22 April 2011 • Insert N°3 QUICKREAD] p. 32 Week at a glance ] Events ] Varusha Pirappu Celebrations Join in the event at the Palla- We pay the price dium in Trianon on Saturday 23rd April from 9.30pm to 6am. Several DJs and Tamil artists will perform. WITH the constant rise in the cost of Tickets cost Rs 200, or living, it has never been so important for Rs 400 for VIP tickets consumers to feel that they are getting value (on reservation). for their hard earned money. Unfortunately, Call 7778794 or it’s diffi cult not to get a sinking feeling when 970 4634 for you consider the illogical decisions that ine- information. vitably impact on consumers. The National Transport Corporation has been in the news Fashion quite a few times over the past months due to serious doubts over the condition of its Night Out vehicles- whether about parts that come Organised by Bella Donna, the fl ying off, killing innocent bystanders, or the event will take place in the evening bus involved in an accident in Chamarel. The of Friday 22nd April at Phoenix company has faced serious fi nancial troubles Les Halles. An event called Fashion over the past few years and is again turning Day Out will also be held from to the government to save it from disaster. 23rd April to 1st May where the In the 2009/2010 fi nancial year, the go- same outfi ts will be on sale. vernment was forced to bail out the compa- ny with Rs 112 million. In a press conference

LIBRARY PHOTO LIBRARY Photography contest this week, the NTC’s CEO, Robin Soona- The National Transport Corporation is once again facing serious fi nancial diffi culties. A photography contest on the rane, spoke of a situation of “laisser aller” The Hedging Losses Saga was raised Showkutally Soodhun, could not justify the theme “Le pain nourrit le monde” in the past. How long does a national com- (Bread feeds the world) is being pany have to be in the red before something in parliament this week, revealing another STC’s decision to resort to overdraft facili- blunder committed by the State Trading ties with higher interest rates. Despite the organised by Les Moulins de La is done to review and improve its structure? Concorde and La Sentinelle. Ama- Bad service, plus a disastrous fi nancial situa- Corporation (STC). Although by July 2009, minister of Finance’s decision to bring down consumers had already paid for the wrong the amount paid by the consumers from Rs teurs and professionals can submit tion mean one thing: the end cost is borne by their entries until 16th May. More the consumer, whether monetary or in terms decisions taken by the tandem Gowres- 3 to Rs 2 per litre of petrol, the repayment of soo/Soomaroah in terms of hedging losses hedging losses is here to stay. Do consumers information at www.lesmoulins- of comfort and security. A restructuring pro- delaconcorde.com. gramme for the NTC is under consideration worth Rs 4.7 billion, we are still paying for really need more teeth gnawing away at their but the risk is that if the company cannot get overdrafts and loans taken by the STC to already worn out pockets? cover these losses. As if this were not scan- Elite Model Look another bail out; the price of the bus ticket LOUIS MURDEN may have to go up. dalous enough, the minister of Commerce, Melissa , Majhegy Mauritius 2011 The fi nals of this contest will take place at Maritim Hotel in Balaclava on Sa- turday 30th April at Predicting the rising cost of petrol 7.30pm. Tickets cost Rs 1200 (including cocktail WHAT price will Mauritians products on the local market is and dinner). Call Otayo on have to pay for their petroleum made up mainly of different taxes 466 9999 for reservations. products after the next meeting and contributions. The price we of the Petrol Pricing Committee pay at the fi lling station comprises of the State Trading Corporation customs duty, levy, sales tax, a ILLUSTRATIONS : Stephane BENOIT ? This question is subject to much contribution to the Road Develop- speculation these days, specula- ment Authority for road construc- Thought tions fuelled by the rise in the price tion and we also contribute to of Brent – 91 dollars in December funds to subsidize LPG gas, fl our to 122 dollars yesterday – and the and rice “ says Professor Kasenal- for the Day] recent reduction in the price of ly who has been denouncing for local petroleum products brought years the petrol pricing policy of “An old belief is like about by the minister of Finance, government which is the sole im- Pravind Jugnauth. porter of petroleum products for an old shoe. Will he allow his price reduc- the country. tion to be cancelled within a few Sales tax to the tune of 15 per- We so value its weeks by another price hike ? This cent is imposed not on the CIF comfort that we fail to is the question analysts are asking price of petroleum products, but these days. on their value after it has been in- notice the hole in it.” According to Professor Swa- fl ated by customs duty. As the CIF ley Kasenally, the price per barrel price rises, a reduction in sales tax Robert BRAULT of Brent crude oil -which is a re- will not reduce government reve- ference price for European and nue on that product say analysts. Asian Markets – has undergone a Pravind Jugnauth might resort rise of around 32 percent since the to that ploy of reducing this sales beginning of the year. tax which his predecessor, Rama “This does not mean that the Sithanen, stubbornly refused to LIBRARY PHOTO LIBRARY price of petrol at the fi lling station resort to in the past. The petrol pump has become the motorist's nightmare as a thou- ought to rise by 32 percent, for the sand rupee note hardly buys half a tank... price we pay for our petroleum Raj JUGERNAUTH p. 33 QUICKREAD] Insert N° 3 • Friday 22 April 2011 ] l’express Safe from smoke What destiny holds… AS we celebrate World Day for Safety and Health at Work this ENTER the New Year 5113, in abundance, have no illusions week, it is perhaps an opportune celebrated by the Tamil community that this will be a good year… junction to refl ect on workplace on Varusha Pirappu last week. And, which probably means that your smoking which is defi ned as “one of as is the case each year, predictions purchasing power will not in- the most serious occupational and have been made for the future of crease, and you are not likely to safety health hazards of our time,” the world and of course the planets win the Lotto either. Keep your in a report recently released by the have not forgotten about Mauritius. fi ngers crossed. 2012 will surely International Labour Organisation Even in some cafés, smokers carry But mind you, they have decided be your lucky year! (ILO)'s Safe Work Programme. The on with their noxious habit. that things will be far from rosy this The New Year is also wel- verdict of the ILO is unequivocal: year. Diseases affecting cattle cau- comed with national celebra- smoking must be phased out of the many workplaces have been sen- sing a shortage of dairy products, tions, where dignitaries are workplace. In order to protect their sible enough not to allow smoking the risk of fl oods and tsunamis. invited. You may wonder why citizens from the dangers of second- within the building, in our hotels There may even be earthquakes PM Ramgoolam receiving the the president of the Mauritius hand smoke, governments have no and some of our restaurants, we are and other calamities in countries "ponnadai" from the President of Tamil Temples Federation, Me- choice but to enact comprehensive still so eager to be graced with the like…you’ll never guess…America, the Tamil Temples Federation. non Murday, placed this shawl, smoke-free laws that ban smoking presence of tourists that we happily Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Indonesia, called a “ponnadai” in Tamil, on in all workplaces and public places. allow them to do what they are le- Africa and Pakistan. But here that their misery would be over, the shoulders of the Prime Mi- Admittedly, we cannot com- gally prohibited from doing in their is a truly novel prediction: these it looks like our traffi c problems nister, as seen here. This tradition plain too much about our laws own countries: exposing the work- countries will face local unrest! Our will not end in 2011. But all is not comes from southern India, and when it comes to smoking. The force to secondhand smoke, which, existing faith in humankind will be doom and gloom. We are lucky to has its place in Tamil ceremonies legislation enacted by the previous according to the World Health shaken, as the planets foresee a de- have Jupiter watching over secu- where the shawl is offered as a minister of Health, Rajesh Jeetah, is Organisation is responsible for the crease in unity. rity- and those in that sector can gift and a sign of respect for a very powerful. However, the Occu- deaths of more than 600,000 non- What about Mauritius? Pre- expect a fatter paycheck- while guest of honour. A touch of tra- pational and Safety Act of Mauri- smokers worldwide each year. How dictions include disturbances in our education sector is expected dition to show your guest how tius is yet to be amended to remove many Euros is a life worth? trade and air travel. And while we to do very well (dare we hope for much you value his presence. the provision of ‘demarcated smo- hate to shatter the high hopes of higher CPE pass rates?) Overall, king areas’ from workplaces. While Touria PRAYAG daily commuters who had faith while it is expected that it will rain Melissa LOUIS

Showkutally Soodhun: Paul Bérenger to the Acting Minister of Finance, through the Speaker: “I am not in the pre- sence of facts…I can’t put “The FSC is headless in such a delicate a time frame…nobody is conjuncture...could he reveal the names of the against hedging. Hedging chairman and vice-chairman of the board…?” is hedging.” Who needs Yes, please! We would like to know the com- clearer answers?! petence of the political nominees who are Silence is Golden ] Well Said ] ‘running’ such an important institution. Intellectual Property Pov's Take ] Smart Business? SINCE 2001, April 26th has patented state- been decreed World Intellectual of-the-art mate- Property Day. The extravaganza is rial and processes, in recognition of the contribution making it well nigh that innovators have made to society impossible for them and development. On the face of it, to compete against the concept of intellectual property MNCs. sounds benign enough, an exclusive In addition, using privilege granted to an innovator to patented materials re- Patents, critics allege, constitute charge a higher price for his pro- quires that royalties be paid to the a source of wealth transfer from duct, thereby making up for the patent holder. A mechanism that poor to rich countries. costs of research and development. is “a tax on poor countries’ use of This is to incentivize and encou- knowledge, constituting a wealth revenues of their own. As Dr. R.A rage innovation, or so the argument transfer to the rich countries.” The Mashelkar, Director General of goes. Rarely, however, is the fl ip side dimensions are so obscene that the Council of Scientifi c and In- of intellectual property discussed, a Khor gives the example of Texas dustrial Research in India wrote: monopoly situation which restricts Instruments, which in 2005, ear- “One of the concerns of the de- the access of consumers and other ned $1 billion annually through veloping world is that the process producers to products and techno- patent rents, more than through of globalization is threatening the logy, particularly in the Third World. actual sales. appropriation of elements of the In his 2005 paper Intellec- For countries such as India collective knowledge of societies tual Property, Competition and and China, endowed with intellec- into proprietary knowledge for the Development, Martin Khor tual capital, the effect is less pro- commercial profi t of a few.” points out that the overwhelming nounced than on less developed Something to think about this share of patents is held by foreign third world countries, where the Intellectual Property Day. multinationals(MNCs). Local higher costs of patented products companies are blocked from using are not accompanied by patent Iqbal Ahmed KHAN l’express [ Friday 22 April 2011 • Insert N° 3 ISSUES]p. 34 Left Field] By Nicholas RAINER

Straw men

he political landscape is alive with the sound of speculation. Will they? Won’t they? What’s the allure of curling? It’s tempting to point out Tthat it’s not over till the fat lady sings, but then again it’s perhaps best not to give Showkutally Sood- hun any ideas. Sadly, the background noise from the go- vernment sitcom seems to be drowning out everything else. Take Salil Roy’s short rant in Monday’s edition of l’express in which he railed against Independent Power Producers (IPP) for making handsome profi ts on the arched backs of small planters. It went almost unno- ticed. Which doesn’t change the fact that the chairman of Small Planters Association is dead right. That’s the easy part. The hard part is hearing one- self think when the demagogy dial has been turned up full blast. Navin Ramgoolam’s recent pledge to re-exa- mine CT Power’s proposed coal-fi red power station is Sustainable Mauritius a case in point. By presenting the project as a way of democratising the energy sector, he showed that govern- ment doesn’t only want to have its cake and eat it. It also wants the population to sweep up the crumbs and wash the plate when it’s done. Allowing a foreign conglome- MID takes shape rate to produce a big chunk of our electricity using coal only isn’t an act of democratisation, not by an interga- lactic shot. In fact, that’s possibly the last thing it is. But WHAT is MID? Does anyone ject be renamed Mauritius: Sustai- that was never really the point anyway, now was it? The Maurice: Ile know? Despite turning three years- nable Islands so as to encompass the Sadly, democratisation, like many of this administra- old last month, this overarching whole of the Mauritian Republic. tion’s seemingly brilliant ideas, has been something of a Durable project national project remains frustratin- According to the facilitator of damp squib. That’s a real shame, for the country is in dire (Mauritius: Sus- gly inchoate. Yet a series of recent process, François Odendaal, the need of a more equitable distribution of the economic pie. tainable Island) developments – the publication document, though not perfect, still The longer our leaders postpone the inevitable, the more of the Green Paper yesterday, the succeeds in refl ecting the views of disillusioned the population will become with the system. seems to oscillate adoption of the Energy Effi ciency a large number of people. “The And, as Martin Luther King once remarked, there’s no- between brilliance Act by Parliament, the preparation Green Paper refl ects the views of thing more dangerous than building a society where a lot and pathos. One of a Building Control Bill and the the thousands of people and many of people have nothing to lose. What’s even more tragic elaboration of a grid code for Small parties that took part in the process though is that there are some relatively painless ways of minute, it sounds Scale Distributed Generation – thus far. Its purpose is to stimulate democratising certain economic sectors, yet government great and the next have put a bit of fl esh on MID’s comment. Yes, it is true that certain has been unwilling or unable to seize them. it feels irrelevant. spindly bones. That’s excellent specialist studies that should have This brings us back to Salil Roy’s tirade. It’s com- Here’s where it’s news for those who believe in buil- taken place were never contracted mon knowledge that the IPPs are making an absolute ding a more sustainable future for out, but I believe that the process is killing selling electricity to the CEB. In fact, the reve- really at. Mauritius. The trick now will be to ongoing. It has all the possibility to nue streams of the companies that own power stations translate all these good intentions be the landmark process that it was are so robust that they continue to thrive in these times into actions, an undertaking of always meant to be. The Mauritian of economic uncertainty. In many cases, the prices at Herculean proportions. Still, as the people deserve it. It is now in the which the CEB buys their electricity are pegged to fo- saying goes, if something is worth hands of the ministry of Environ- reign currencies rather than the humble rupee. With the doing, it’s worth doing well. ment and sustainable development, exception of one power station, the IPPs produce energy The Green Paper is the fruit which is a very capable ministry. using coal, the cheapest fossil fuel around, and bagasse, of a series of national consultations They are the ones to ask about fu- our only local source of biomass. Bewilderingly, the IPPs during which a broad palette of ture directions.” pay small planters a pittance for their straw, arguing stakeholders were asked to give their that it has no value. views on MID. It was also a way of A multi-faceted Except, of course, that they burn the stuff to produce asking the population to establish a electricity for which they are paid handsomely. Given set of overall priorities for the sus- approach that bagasse is the only widely-used local source of re- tainable island project. The urgent Yet according to a reliable newable energy and that, ultimately, it’s the consumers need for government action, the source who got an advance viewing who foot the CEB’s bill, would it be too much to ask protection of our natural resources, of the document, it is “a report on that small planters be remunerated decently for this pollution reduction and waste ma- the consultations” rather than an ac- by-product? Apparently it would. Well, if government nagement were but a few of the tual Green Paper. “A Green Paper can’t even ensure that these workers get paid correctly, major concerns expressed during should set the direction, work out perhaps it should refrain from wasting its breath and the process. Interestingly, priori- our options. It should also lay out our time with talk of democratisation. ties differed from island to island. our choices and assess them against So, the next time straw men try to lure you into ac- Rodriguans, for instance, placed a a business-as-usual scenario. For cepting a dodgy deal with a foreign company under false A standard design for low- to greater emphasis on employment example, it could ask whether we pretences, spare a thought for the men who sell straw. medium-cost apartments by Sarah and water resources. Youth groups want to continue with IRS or if we Wigglesworth Architects. accordingly suggested that the pro- want to promote food security. It p. 35 [ISSUES Insert N° 3 • Friday 22 April 2011 ] l’express

Like a washing machine in a (on paper, at least) pond, MID is a bundle of contradictions

could also offer ways of developing them into a White Paper, as well as Mauritius recommended the ins- ties recently advertised a training 25-40 MW wind farm at Curepipe a low carbon and climate resilient using them to thrash out the strategy titution of an EEMO “responsible programme for 10 energy audi- Point was completed in August economy. What it shouldn’t be and action plans. for facilitating the implementation tors in the public sector and 40 2010 and the CEB has invited bids doing is asking people what they The White Paper, or policy of the national energy policy” in in the private sector. Unfortuna- from nine prequalifi ed bidders; in think of sustainability. There are document, will be vitally impor- its analysis and synthesis report tely, responses were not as brisk November 2009, Aerowatt submit- internationally-accepted defi nitions tant as it will guide all future deci- on MID. as the ministry had hoped. Still, ted a feasibility study report for a 18 for that.” sions and actions related to MID. a Mauritas accreditation body MW wind farm project at Plaines In fact, he goes so far as to af- For instance, it should be used to Limitations of current should be up and running in a des Roches. The Central Electricity fi rm that the Green Paper should’ve help decide whether projects are couple of years. ISO 17024 will Board is presently negotiating the come before the public consulta- MID-compliant or not and, if all development model be the accreditation standard. Electricity Supply and Purchase tions so as to guide the latter. “The goes well, hopefully infl uence our Sarah Wigglesworth Architects Agreement with the promoter; and policy should already have been for- current mode of development, “It’s a timely move. If we can have, for their part, come up with the installation of four wind turbines mulated a long time ago.” Although which is centred almost exclusi- succeed in implementing de- eco-friendly standard designs for of 200 to 300kW at Bigara is being the Green Paper was submitted to vely around the bottom line at the mand-side management, we will low- to medium-cost houses and considered by the CEB subject to Cabinet last week, for some rea- expense of social and environ- have achieved a lot”, says an ob- apartments under 500m². the interference study on commu- son the list of Cabinet decisions mental considerations. And that’s server. The Central Electricity After some fi ne-tuning, the gui- nications systems at the site being omitted to mention this fact. What perhaps one of the most encoura- Board (CEB) has also apparently debooks will be made available to conclusive”. it did say however is that Cabinet ging features to emerge from the conducted a study on different the public, possibly via the EEMO, All this goes to show that has “agreed to the development of Green Paper. Despite its faults, the time-of-use electricity tariffs. If which will also act as a resource things are moving, albeit slowly. a consolidated Maurice Ile Durable report at least shows that Mauri- introduced, such a tariff scheme centre. Also, the CEB has come Will MID be the panacea that it’s (MID) Policy, a 10-year Strategy tians are aware that sustainable de- would encourage individuals and up with a grid code for Small Scale been sold as? Certainly not. Will it Plan and a 3-year Action Plan for velopment requires a multifaceted, companies to better plan and ma- Distributed Generation (SSDG) change the utilitarian mindset of the MID Project”. In other words, multidisciplinary approach rather nage their energy use. It is said to and a feed-in tariff for small inde- our leaders? No way. Many pro- the authorities have decided to for- than simply associating it with en- be in the pipeline. Thankfully, a pendent power producers who jects recently announced by go- mulate plans for both the short- and vironmental protection. new Building Control Bill is also in want to produce and sell renewable vernment are at sixes and sevens long-term meant to “pave the way And neither does the good preparation. The current building energy back to the grid. Granted, with even the most basic aspects for a sustainable development of news stop there. Parliament re- legislation dates back to 1918, so the SSDG project will be sure to of sustainable development. What Mauritius”. cently adopted the Energy Effi - there’s an urgent need to update it. encounter some teething problems, it has done however is contribute How will they go about this? ciency Act, which, among other The Building Control Bill will lay but the public’s response to it has to a nascent awareness about the Five working groups composed of things, provides for the setting up out the functional, safety and liabi- been overwhelming (applications limitations of the current model of representatives from government, of an Energy Effi ciency Manage- lity requirements for new buildings have far exceeded the limit of 2MW development and the need for us the private sector and NGOs will ment Offi ce (EEMO). Its purpose above 500m² (reservations have total installed capacity). to look for viable alternatives. The be entrusted with studying the fi ve is to “promote the effi cient use of been expressed about this speci- And that’s not all. In Parliament important thing is that we realise core sectors, or 5Es, put forward by energy” and a “national awareness fi cation as many believe it should last week, the minister of Public Uti- that MID is not an end itself; ra- Joel de Rosnay, the Prime minister’s for the effi cient use of energy as a include much smaller buildings). lities, Rashid Beebeejaun, summed ther it’s a tool that should help us special advisor on sustainable deve- means to reduce carbon emissions To this end, an Energy Audit up the situation on the wind energy get the ball rolling. And the fact lopment. These are: Environment, and protect the environment”. Manual and Mauritius Building front: “two wind turbines of 2 x 275 that it’s gradually taking shape Energy, Education, Equity and MID supporters have been ad- Energy Audit Tool (a software pro- kW each have been operational at (even if it’s still on paper) is an Employment. Their fi ndings will vocating the establishment of gramme used to calculate energy Grenade in Rodrigues since 2009 encouraging, if elementary, step. then be submitted to an internatio- such an agency for a long time. ratings) are also in the pipeline. and two others became operatio- nal consultancy fi rm that will turn Two years ago, the University of The ministry of Public utili- nal in 2010; a feasibility study for a Nicholas RAINER l’express [ Friday 22 April 2011 • Insert N° 3 p. 36 Special education needs Valuing difference

A little known area of education hich educa- dren with special needs. One put in place by the Mauritius tion system of these is the Centre d’Edu- Institute for Education, which in Mauritius is Special Education can bring out cation et de Développement deals with Teacher Training. S. Needs (SEN), a field that caters to Wthe best in its pour les Enfants Mauriciens, Dhunnoo, Senior Lecturer and children with different learning citizens without focusing which has 150 students. “The Head of Department (SEN) at on inclusiveness? The fi eld children at our school also the Mauritius Institute of Edu- needs and abilities. We take a look of special education needs include those who may have cation (MIE) says, “Much work at the development of this area (SEN) is essential to this suffered from abuse and, as a still needs to be done because crucial to making sure that no effort, as it opens the doors result, need special support,” when we compare this sector child is left behind… of society to those who are says the director of CEDEM, to other areas of education, we different because of a phy- Rita Venkatasawmy. “Children fi nd that we are way behind in with special needs are a very this sector,” he admits. diverse group,” she adds. There is already a Diploma The main difference be- in SEN that targets teachers in tween a special needs school mainstream primary schools, and a mainstream school, a module in sign language for explains Marie Claire Main- all primary school teachers, gard, pedagogical adviser at and a module for SEN in the l’APEIM, which runs schools pre-primary sector. One of for mentally disabled chil- the major steps in training, dren, is the way the students says Dhunnoo, is the deve- are handled. “In a mainstream lopment of a postgraduate di- school, the pupil is expected ploma in inclusive and special to adapt. It is all about aca- education. The idea is to train demic results and you could teaching staff at the MIE, who say that pupils are running to in turn will be able to pro- catch up. In a special needs vide training for educators of school, on the other hand, the special needs institutions and child is at the heart of the sys- NGOs. “The course has just tem, which is adapted to his been approved and will be- needs,” she says. gin shortly, with support from foreign experts. We hope to Training for quality have 25 graduates by Octo- ber 2012,” he says. A welcome education move which, in the long run, will provide the country with a The growing number of pool of qualifi ed trainers who parents who approach these will be able to contextualise the LIBRARY PHOTOS institutions shows that there teaching of SEN in Mauritius. has been increased awareness The perception that about this fi eld in Mauritius people have of children with and the importance it has special needs and disabled for children with disabilities. people altogether has gradual- “The days of keeping a disa- ly changed over the years. But An educator runs a SEN class at APEIM sical or mental disability or bled child at home are chang- we are still far from a radical because of learning diffi - ing,” says Rita Venkatasawmy. change in mindset. “It is im- culties. SEN should not be “Parents now realise that their portant for people to unders- considered as some margi- child, even with a disability, tand that children with special nal ‘branch’ of education but should and can have access to needs require our support, rather as part and parcel of education,” she adds. Marie not our pity,” says Rita Ven- our mainstream education Claire Maingard believes kataswamy. A crucial part of system. that parents themselves now this is raising awareness, a According to the natio- have a different perception process that she sees as having nal strategy paper on special of disabled children. “They three major stakeholders: the education needs and inclusive no longer feel that they must State, NGOs, and the press. education developed by the keep the child hidden away.” As we continue to talk about Ministry of Education a few Nevertheless, having a child the need for equal opportu- years ago, the fi eld of SEN with special needs can often nities in our society, the fi eld applies to children with disa- be a distressing. of SEN becomes all the more bilities, specifi c learning needs A crucial part of SEN is important. Maybe one day, we and to those who have learning having educators who are will remember to talk about diffi culties arising from social trained to work with children the different sectors of educa- problems. There are currently with special needs and hence tion as pre-primary, primary, 45 registered institutions and able to provide quality educa- secondary, tertiary and special Non-Government Organisa- tion. Training is a priority for education needs. Children with special needs are encouraged to develop their tions (NGOs) that provide the institutions involved in this potential at CEDEM - run SEN schools. care and education to chil- fi eld. A local system is being Melissa LOUIS p. 37 [INTERVIEW] Insert N°3 • Friday 22 April 2011 ] l’express Interview Rashid IMRITH, President of the Government General Services Union (GGSU) Rashid Imrith is particularly concerned about the impact of the MedPoint scandal on the civil servants who are involved in it. He CYNTHIA EDOUARD believes procedures within the ser- vice should be reviewed to protect them by ensuring transparency. “MedPoint is an opportunity to improve the Civil Service” ■ Mr Imrith, you recently as part of the MedPoint issue as an they are not at fault. are taken by political heads and all known for sure. We understand that submitted some papers to the opportunity to bring in improve- We advise civil servants that that civil servants do is implement it was evaluated at Rs 75 M and it ICAC. What was your aim? ments to the Civil Service by chec- if they are called, they should tell these decisions. We should, there- seems that someone asked for a re- I was not comfortable with the king if the fi les are kept and the . the whole truth. If they received fore, not look at the MedPoint saga evaluation. Now the civil servants way the ICAC was laying emphasis “garde fous” in the public sector are instructions by which they belie- as an isolated case. We should look involved will have to talk. on procedures. For me, while pro- suffi cient to make sure that public ved they should not abide, but at the politics behind public policy ■ If you went to tell the cedures are important, the source of funds are being used properly. did end up following them, even in government offi ces; the disburse- ICAC not to concentrate on the fi nances is important too. Where ■ But who did you meet at then they should be able to tell ment of the sum and the responsi- procedures, you must be did they get the money to buy Med- the ICAC? Did you meet Mr the whole truth. They should be bility of each party involved in this unhappy with the way they Point? Most importantly, was there Ujoodha? able to explain the circumstances case should be defi ned. We should are proceeding. a policy decision, and who took this No, I met a Mr Goorah, and a under which they complied scrutinize the checks and balances No, I think we should give the policy decision? Were things done Mr Aleear. I explained to them that with these instructions.. The in the Civil Service and see whether ICAC a chance but other than by the book? we must look mainly at the source ICAC can also, in the interests they work properly or not. procedures, they should look into ■ How did things happen of fi nancing. of a successful conclusion of its ■ For you, as things stand the amount taken from the Capital according to you? ■ Don’t you think the ICAC enquiry, grant immunity to civil today, are there enough checks Fund of the Ministry of Health as According to the information I knows that? servants deponing before the and balances? well as the authority which gave have, abinet decided to disburse Rs I feel that they are laying em- commission. We want to use the No. There is an unhealthy the order to disburse the sum. 75 million from the Lottery Fund phasis on procedures such as the investigation carried out by the concentration of power in the Ac- Who was the person and why did and Rs 25 million from the capital Public Procurement Act, call for ICAC to make sure that civil ser- counting Offi cer’s hands. There is he/she gave the order? fund of the Ministry of Health. tender, evaluation etc. vants do not fi nd themselves in also the way records are kept. For ■ Isn’t that precisely what ■ So 100 million rupees? Don’t you think that’s impor- similar situations again. example, right now and till Friday the ICAC is looking into? Ye s. tant? ■ Do you think the ICAC is afternoon, all the fi les relating to The ICAC was focused on But how did they know it was It is important. But so is the is- handing this case well? the MedPoint case are locked the procedures and not on the going to cost Rs 100 million? sue of the money. One cannot go Let’s say the proof of the pud- away in the drawer of the Acting person in authority who issued Exactly! By coincidence, we see without the other. That’s why I went ding is in the eating. In my expe- Permanent Secretary of the Mi- the order. the fi rst evaluation of MedPoint that to the ICAC. rience, it is the fi rst time that the nistry of Health and Quality of What makes you say that? was carried out by the number two ■ Isn’t that like saying to ICAC is investigating thoroughly on Life. Coincidentally, this person I just believe that since we are of the Valuation Offi ce. The clinic the ICAC, “This is how you its own initiative, and this case will is the main fi gure in the case. He talking about money, it concerns was estimated to be worth Rs 75 should do your job”? say a lot for the ICAC’s / integrity. is absent and only his secretary the Ministry of Finance and un- million. And this matches the Rs 75 We are not giving the ICAC ins- Expectations of the ICAC are quite has the key to the drawer. We til now, as far as I know, nobody million which Cabinet made provi- tructions but we are expressing an high. If people feel that the ICAC believe that records should be in from that ministry was summo- sions for. opinion. Whether we like it or not, has not risen to these expectations, a registry, involving a procedure ned by the ICAC. After my visit ■ Was that before or after the it seems that everything is being put then this will be a blow to its reputa- to have access to them and pro- to the ICAC, I’m convinced that tender? on the backs of the civil servants. tion. I. But I still believe, after talking per entry should be made before the investigation will go along the I don’t know but the fi gures ■ But aren’t those who were to the senior offi cers at the ICAC, access is granted. The whole pro- lines I suggested. match. arrested guilty? that they are taking the investigation cedure of the fi ling system should ■ How did they react to your ■ It is important to know For us, if a civil servant has very seriously. be reviewed. It is in the absence visit? whether it was before the knowingly and without pressure ■ What advice are you giving of a proper system of procedures It was a positive reaction. It see- tender or not. from anyone transgressed a rule, to your members? that things go wrong. med to me that they wanted to im- We don’t have that informa- , the trade union cannot support We are encouraging them to ■ Which procedure went prove the image of the ICAC and tion. This is why we are asking the him. But there should not be any tell the truth. If a civil servant has wrong in the case of Med- it also seemed that they are aware of ICAC to look in that direction. We violation of theright to be presumed done something under pressure, Point? the level of expectations from the are asking if the Ministry of Finance innocent. The civil servants who he should say so and disclose the The fi ling system itself is a public. Therefore, they will have to gave instructions to the Ministry of have been arrested should explain procedures which were followed. case in point. Dossiers cannot be be very thorough in their inquiry. Health to use Rs 200 million from clearly who gave the instructions. He should hide nothing. He must accessible only to one person as ■ Will they succeed in going the capital fund of the Ministry of They should not hide anything. If realize that the investigation is being in the case of Medpoint, put in up to the top? Health to buy the MedPoint clinic. it is proved that orders have been re- done in the best interests of the a drawer and the key kept with In my opinion , if we encourage We are concerned with the results of ceived from higher levels, then the Mauritian state. If there are fl aws the secretary. It should be the res- the civil servants to come forward the investigation. two arrested civil servants could be in our system, they should be cor- ponsibility of a well-organised re- and denounce the people res- ■ Why are you more concer- requested to make their contribu- rected. gistry and not that of a sole offi cer. ponsible, there will be a lot of infor- ned than the rest of us? tions as witnesses ■ What kind of fl aws are we ■ And you believe that’s how mation that could help the ICAC go The ICAC carries out the inves- ■ The civil servants indicted talking about? the problem of MedPoint up to the top. tigation and we want to use the re- by the ICAC are making a Take MedPoint for example. cropped up? sults and the problems being raised lot of noise and saying that We know that the policy decisions Well, until now nothing is Touria PRAYAG l’express [ Friday 22 April 2011 • Insert N° 3 COVERSTORY] p. 38 Since it was fi rst fl oated in 2006, the C.T Power C.T coal-power plant project has been mired in controversy. The protracted project seemed doomed Greenwashing when in January s matters stand today, tually comes to the small planters this year the de- according to the Cen- amounts to peanuts. The IPPs wolf velopers of the tral Electricity Board down guaranteed mega-profi ts, power plant were A (CEB), 60% of electri- while in effect the small planters city in Mauritius is supplied to the subsidize them.” It is this situation, not given a license CEB by the Independent Power Roy continues, that “has led some on the basis of an Producers (IPPs), using a mix of planters to abandon sugar culti- environment im- coal and bagasse, a byproduct of vation and their fi elds altogether,” sugar, to produce electricity. The threatening a shortfall in the supply pact assessment darker underbelly of this apparent of bagasse (and electricity produc- report. Now the model of green development is tion) in future. Prime minister the opacity surrounding the terms This structural contradiction, seems determined on which this power is bought. “It as well as the alarm bell sounded by is now common knowledge,” Ca- the National Economic and Social to see the pro- der Sayed-Hossen, Chairman of Council (NESC) in its 2009 report ject through and the Commission for the Demo- A Blueprint for the Energy Sector points to ‘lobbies’ cratization of the Economy wrote in Mauritius that raised the prospect in l’express Weekly on the 12th of of major blackouts due to the inade- allegedly blocking February 2010, “that the contract quacy of the supply of electricity to the project. Why is binding the CEB to the local IPPs meet demand has, understandably, the government so contains all kinds of possibly imagi- got the government scrambling nable safeguard clauses that protect for alternatives, one of which is the determined to see the interests of the said IPPs… In C.T coal power plant. The need is a coal power sta- short, whatever happens, whatever not immediate, however, insists Pa- tion in Albion and be the circumstances, the IPPs, trick Asseervaden, President of the does the policy according to the provisions of exis- Labour Party, “Those talking about ting contracts, will still come out blackouts ignore the fact that we make sense? with a pre-determined rate of pro- have a 97 MW in reserve and are fi t.” Confi dentiality clauses in the constructing new projects now. The contract mean that no one knows C.T plant itself is to cater for projec- how much the IPPs are fl eecing the ted demand in 2014, which is when CEB and, indirectly, the taxpayer. we will face a supply defi cit. So let’s Apparently, the rewards are not not be alarmist and talk about blac- trickling down either, and this is kouts tomorrow or the day after.” where the problem behind the cur- Certainly, with this sober analysis, PHOTOS LIBRARY rent power generation set-up lies. the histrionics accompanying the The bulk of the 1.5 million tones C.T plant and the supposed im- Coal power plants may be the way of the future, as scientifi c opinion sugge of bagasse produced annually are mediate need make little sense. Bagasse, along with coal, used used by the IPPs to produce elec- supply through the use of renewable for the planets’ dirtiest fossil fuel to produce electricity by the tricity. “Out of this, 500,000 tons What price sustainable sources of energy” by 2025 and to to be used in an environmentally- Independent Power Producers are supplied by the small planters,” reduce reliance on “non-renewable friendly manner? Not according (IPPs) accounts for 60% of elec- Salil Roy, President of the Planters’ development? resources, such as coal and fuel, de- to academic and energy specialist tricity production in Mauritius. Reform Association, informs us, creasing it from 80% to 65%.” Khalil Elahee; “Pulverized coal adding that “the revenue that even- Seeking salvation in soot, howe- How does one reconcile this technology has been there for ver, goes against the grain of go- noble ambition with a C.T power nearly 50 years now. Coal can be vernment’s long term energy plans. coal plant and another planned used in a relatively cleaner way by For instance the long term En- 100 MW coal-powered plant? The including carbon-capture techno- ergy Strategy (LTES) 2009- answer lies in the oxymoronic sta- logy.” What this means is that the 2025 released by the tement made by Abu Kasenally in carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted Ministry of Energy the National Assembly on July 15th, - a 500 MW plant will typically and Public Utilities 2008 where he stated that “by diver- produce 10,000 tons of the stuff in October 2009, sifying our energy mix, we are going daily - is captured, compressed lays stress on to use renewable and as little fossil and buried. “Storage of the waste “making a ra- fuel as possible.” He went on to say is another issue and is simply pid shift to a that “As far as this unit (C.T plant) not practical for a small country low carbon, is concerned, we are using pulve- like ours. The problem is that efficient rized coal which is less polluting this technology is not currently and envi- than the others we have been so far feasible and is not in commercial ronmen- using.” The prospect of clean, guilt- use anywhere in the world.” tally benign free coal is touted as the solution to This view is backed up by system of our energy needs. hard scientifi c evidence; a study energy sup- The LTES document of 2009 by U.S-based MIT in 2007 en- ply.” The mentions that “to further diversify titled The future of coal took the document out- the country’s electricity produc- sober view that “the fi rst com- lined the goal of tion…the preferred strategy is to mercial ‘clean coal’ plant won’t be achieving “about increase the share of clean coal in on stream until 2030 at the ear- 35% self suffi ciency the country’s energy mix.” The liest.” Nor is there any guarantee in terms of electricity question remains, is it possible that once buried, the CO2 won’t p. 39 [COVERSTORY Insert N° 3 • Friday 22 April 2011 ] l’express

High-Heeled] Coal? By Deepa BHOOKHUN

A gem!

y Prime minister tells me I should vote for a government whose priorities will be M“what’s in my heart and what’s in my life”. Isn’t he a gem of a PM? I mean do you know of any ‘Clean coal’, with no real scientifi c other head of government anywhere in the world that or economic backing, for its critics says those things? is more PR spin than reality. Well then I guess I better tell him what’s in my heart since he asked. Beloved Prime minister, I am appalled that your government thinks it’s ok to make us pay for the incom- petence of your political nominees. The STC has failed Renewable miserably in its mission- it cannot fi nancially sustain its activities despite the extortionate price at which it sells its Energy products. “Rather than relying on So now, we have to subsidize government, we have coal, we must use the to subsidize fl our for our own use, we have to subsi- local resources we have dize gas for our own use as well as rice. Then we pay right now,” Khalil Ela- for the roads, for MID and for the losses that the STC hee points out. “We need makes while attempting to serve us. Isn’t that wonder- to diversify and develop ful, Prime minister? new technologies such as Oh here’s a thought- if you care so much about us, bagasse. The potential is why don’t you do us all a favour and just scrap that there.” An alternative is ghastly STC? to “use a mix of bagasse Give it to the private sector to run; at least they and coal in a cogenera- know how to make a profi t. I see the diffi culties of this, tion process that simul- though- the profi ts would go straight into the pockets taneously generates heat of the big greedy capitalists and government won’t be as well as electricity. This able to grab the money. can be used in refi neries, Do you think this is right, Prime minister? I sup- ests that ‘clean’ coal plants are not possible today. mills, distilleries and even pose you would say yes; after all, you need money to in refrigeration and, with spend while you’re in power. There’s nothing worse start leaking and be released into rise in the price of petroleum, i.e. an effi ciency ratio of up to than being Prime minister of a country where the cof- the atmosphere. The concept of the more expensive oil gets, the 80%, it’s much more effi - fers are always dry and where you constantly need to clean coal is largely a coal indus- more expensive coal gets. One cient than anything else cut costs. I mean, whatever will your grand friends say? try shibboleth. Karim Jaufeerally reason is that coal is transported we’re looking at right now. Except that surely you can see that we have a right of the Institute of Environmental on ships running on oil.” The Using so-called ‘clean to know what you’re doing with the money you’re for- and Legal Studies is forthright in second is that expensive oil leads coal’ “is totally in contra- cing us to pay you. But you stubbornly refuse to see his opinion when he tells us that to greater demand for coal as an diction with the now- this point of view. “Our politicians quite literally alternative. The Economist in comatose Maurice I’lle How can a man like you, a man so compassionate have no idea what they are talking its Nov 15th 2007 issue, quoted Durable (MID) concept,” Mother Theresa would pale in comparison, be obli- about. There is no such thing as the International Energy Agency Jaufeerally highlights. The vious to such unfairness? ‘clean coal’; it exists in the realm which predicted that demand for C.T plant proposal was How can you who say you’re so intuitive that when of fantasy alone. What is at issue coal will rise 2.2% every year till made before the MID you’re no longer a politician you’ll go and sit on the here is a conventional coal power 2030. The days of cheap coal are paradigm was launched Himalayas, not feel people’s righteous anger? station; no one should have il- fast disappearing. “The real de- “Should we really be How can you say with such insulting callousness lusions about that.” This view is bate,” Jaufeerally maintains, “is implementing projects that you need four or fi ve mandates to be able to “de- lent more weight by the fact that around fossil fuels and whether that precede the MID velop” the country and that the people should be gra- a report in 2009 by Joel De Ros- we want to condemn ourselves to paradigm which should teful to have you when with just two mandates, people nay looking into the environmen- an expensive energy future, tied to rest on sustainability, en- are starting to realize that you and they actually speak tal impact of the project remains fossil fuels that are getting scarcer vironmental protection a different language? classifi ed. Clean coal? There are and more expensive by the day.” and the social dimen- Oh don’t get on your high horse now Prime mi- no scientifi c or economic grounds One can understand wanting sion?” Elahee asks. “To nister- you wanted to know what’s in my heart so I’m to make such a claim. What we are to elbow out (in the absence of do so will be to neglect all telling you. confronted by whenever we hear actually taking them on), greedy of these. To put it simplis- So you see, Prime minister, you might be intuitive but about ‘clean coal’ is largely PR IPPs and their dominance on the tically, the MID is the way what’s the point of that when you’re refusing to listen to spin rather than fact. Mauritian energy market. Never- of the future, whereas the your instinct? Because if you did, you would understand The cheap energy argument theless, hitching our wagon to and C.T power project is a that people are sick and tired of being ripped off whether does not hold water either. “Since green-washing king coal as a viable remnant of the past. We by obvious or hidden means. They’ve had enough of ha- the last decade or so,” Jaufeerally alternative is not the answer. must give a chance to re- ving to cut their costs while you and your friends keep on argues, “the price of coal has ri- newable energy.” spending our money like there’s no tomorrow. sen almost proportionately to the Iqbal Ahmed KHAN But you’re still a gem, though. l’express [ Friday 22 April 2011• Insert N° 3 [SOCIETAL ISSUES p. 40

Exclusion in the playground is often one of the earliest manifestations of Obesity prejudice against overweight children. Removing the stigma “GROS dépi so la tete ziska so lipié, gro, in self-esteem and self-confi dence, usually as dren from behaving that way. Research li ene sel!” A harsh description of an obese the result of a specifi c life event, such as a carried out by Yale University in 2008 has person, followed by associations with chain break up with a partner. The person overeats shown that weight stigma and weight dis- smoking and alcoholism. These words of because of the ‘feel good’ factor.” crimination have become serious problems wisdom from Maya Hanoomanjee last week in the US. Children aged three to fi ve as- say a lot about attitudes towards people who Crucial role of health sector sociated overweight peers with being mean, suffer from obesity. stupid, ugly, unhappy, lazy and having few Obesity is associated with the fast-food friends. According to a study by Purdue culture of developed countries but has gra- The main obstacle in addressing the pro- University, released last month, weight stig- dually spread to developing nations – Mau- blem is often the lack of conscious awareness ma worsens the perception that overweight ritius being no exception. According to the of the risks involved. We all know that obe- people have of themselves. Even the slightly Mauritius Non-Communicable Disease Sur- sity can lead to diabetes, hypertension and overweight felt they were extremely fat be- vey 2009, an estimated 477,000 people aged heart disease, but it is harder for individuals cause of the way they were treated. 25 to 74 are obese. This dramatic fi gure can be to understand how this applies to them. The The good news, however, is that obesity attributed to a drastic change in lifestyle over health sector has a crucial role to play, be- is reversible. “Awareness and will power time. Cassam Hingun, a cardiologist, says, cause it should provide a supportive struc- are essential. The more aware a person is “This is common in countries moving from ture for obese people. Hence the importance of the consequences, the less likely they underdevelopment to rapid development. of an environment free of prejudice. After all, are to maintain bad habits. It’s about losing As purchasing power goes up, eating habits if you can’t trust health professionals to be weight and - especially - maintaining one’s change and people become more sedentary. non-judgmental about your weight, who can ideal weight,” says Cassam Hingun. Both he Obesity is truly the scourge of countries that you trust? Harshalini Bundhoo says that ne- and Harshalini Bundhoo agree that health are acquiring more wealth.” gative attitudes towards obese persons can care professionals are there to advise people A person is considered obese on the basis deter them from seeking help to lose weight. and should not express bias towards obese of their BMI (Body Mass Index), calculated “Obese individuals are vulnerable, as others individuals. Everyone has ingrained pre- Obesity has serious health by dividing their weight in kilograms by their may have prejudices about them, labelling judices and perceptions, but if we want an consequences, but the height in metres squared. An adult with a them as lazy or lacking in willpower,” she says. effi cient health sector, these should be left effects are reversible. BMI of 30 or greater is considered obese. Prejudices, as well as excess weight of- at the doorstep. The words of the Minister Should one make a distinction between ten start at a young age. “Obesity is rapi- of Health project a worrying image of the being overweight and being obese? “One dly becoming a serious problem amongst public health sector in Mauritius. Yes, obe- leads to the other,” says Cassam Hingun. children,” says Cassam Hingun. And so the sity is a growing local problem, so the focus “So whether it is slight obesity, or a serious stigmatisation begins. “It is usually through of the sector should therefore be on actively case of obesity, it needs to be addressed.” words used to describe the overweight child, raising awareness and offering specialized Obesity can also be the result of genetic and but it can also extend to leaving the child out medical and dietetic guidance for those who hormonal factors. Or it can be caused by a of a game,” says Harshalini Bundhoo. In the need and want to lose weight. The fi rst step change in eating patterns linked to emotional worst cases, she adds, stigmatisation during is to open our hospitals and medical facilities distress. Comfort eating is a common pro- childhood can lead to eating disorders like to people suffering from obesity without any blem. Harshalini Bundhoo, a lecturer in psy- anorexia and bulimia. labels or stigmas. chology at the University of Mauritius, says, And since the stereotypes seem socially “Obesity is often accompanied by a decrease acceptable, nothing is done to prevent chil- Melissa LOUIS p. 41 SOCIETAL ISSUES ] Insert N° 3 • Friday 22 April 2011 ] l’express The month of April signals the coming of the winter season. Various pieces of advice to protect oneself REALITY CHECK] from the downsides of winter are of common interest to all. This win- Iqbal Ahmed KHAN ter discover the pleasure and health benefi ts offered by oysters. They are in abundance on our shores. Oysters Of Mountains Nicole Tuyau, at Poste de Flacq, has been in the lucrative and Molehills A Taste of the Sea business of oyster-selling since her adolescence. olitical controversy in Mauritius seems to follow a peculiar script. Usually grandiose BIVALVE MOLLUSCS, multaneously high in protein and continues to envelope it, layer upon declarations and expressions of self-righ- commonly known as oysters are low in saturated fat. They are a layer, with nacre. After a few years, P teous disdain mask the fact that the sub- basically sea-shells. They are crea- rich source of vitamin B12, ha- the intruder is totally encased into ject matter at hand is usually quite provincial. The tures of the estuaries, of coves and ving a key role in the functioning a smooth and lustrous cocoon of justifi able outrage over MedPoint and the govern- bays. An oyster feels no pain and of the brain and nervous system. nacre, now known as a pearl. Nacre ment’s intransigence is somehow sidetracked by has/thinks no thoughts. It has but Their rich zinc content is highly is not just a soothing substance but Neotown and the “mega scandal” that it supposed- one muscle and one choice in its benefi cial for us as explained by is composed of millions of micros- ly represents. What the scandal actually is doesn’t short life-time: open shell or shut Imran Abdool, naturopath. “Zinc copic crystals, each aligned per- matter as long as it’s repeated as loudly and often shell. Known as the key stone spe- stimulates the immune system fectly so that light refl ecting on the enough by an opposition eager to overplay its hand. cies, an oyster feeds on plankton. and produces insulin, which re- pearl produces a tapestry of sheen The cynicism with which this takes place is evi- The process of beating their cilia, duces the level of glucose in the and colour. While it is only the re- dent in the fact that the MMM, till then fanning the to trap suspended plankton makes blood.” Another aspect of oys- sult of the oyster defending itself, fl ames, suddenly throws a wet blanket and decides them the best water-fi ltering sys- ters is their aphrodisiac proper- scientists are unable to reproduce that, out of respect for international relations and tem. Scientists refer to oysters as ties. “In men, the zinc element such a process outside the oyster. the visit of a foreign leader, the issue can be put on ecosystem engineers. But then, is responsible for the production However, pearl cultivation is a very the backburner temporarily. Somehow good gover- if an oyster feels anything other of sperms. Thus, consuming oys- lucrative business as represented nance and anti-corruption, we are to understand, are than water and plankton touching ters increases the male’s libido. It by Tahiti pearls. Mauritius is also subject to diplomatic etiquette. Those waiting with it, it shuts refl exively. Oysters are is also benefi cial in treating any engaging in pearl cultivation and a bated breath for accountability or to simply unders- usually stored and served at a tem- health problem related to the feasibility project has already been tand what the drama is all about are sold short with perature of 40 degrees, at which prostate. In women, zinc is an conducted by the Mauritius Ocea- this anti-climax. they go dormant. essential component in ovarian nography Institute. In a few years Or let’s take the hullaballoo surrounding the C.T function. Zinc also helps in pro- time, it is hoped that Mauritius will power project. Our opposition dons Nostradamus’ ducing testosterone, considered have its own white pearls, the Pinc- cap and predicts that we will be without electricity The pleasure benefi cial to menopausal wo- tada Macula and black pearls, the as early as next year. No one else takes these dire of the ostreaphile men,” adds Imran Abdool. Pinctada Margaritifera. predictions, devoid of statistical or factual basis, all Meanwhile, oysters are available that seriously. A debate which should actually cen- Oysters taste like the sea. Pearls are accidents to us at various coastal regions, na- ter on the avarice of the IPP profi teers and historic Compared to most of our food, mely at Poste de Flacq, Pointe aux bourgeoisie hijacking the development of renewable catching the taste of oysters is a Oysters are perhaps most po- Feuilles and at Pointe du Diable. energy in Mauritius is suddenly transformed into a matter of seconds. When gulping pular for producing pearls. Inte- When buying oysters, smelling deafening clamour for coal power stations. Consumer down the oyster fl esh, in a fl ee- restingly, an oyster producing a them is the best method to know and environment, once again, are down the creek wi- ting moment one experiences a pearl naturally is just an accident. whether they are fresh or not. Fresh thout a paddle. The real issue is ignored by an oppo- perfect balance between sweet, When an outside creature, other oysters smell like the sea, with a salty sition eager to grab headlines. savoury and mineral. Different than planktons enters into the shell, rawness. An oyster smelling malo- In response to the raucous din, members of the oysters work best as accompani- being unable to expel the intruder, dorous or sounding hollow when ruling alliance are trotted out to reassure everyone ments, culinary stars or as exotic the oyster instantly engages in a de- tapped on a hard surface means it is with generic platitudes to the vision of their great curiosities. The ostreaphile revels fence mechanism to protect itself. better not to take the risk of eating it. helmsman that everything is all right after all and in his/her awareness of eating an The oyster secretes a smooth and that there is no danger of the sky falling on our heads. astoundingly healthy food. hard carbon-based substance, com- Majhegy MURDEN Meanwhile, every smile, every handshake, every fl ir- Oysters are considered heal- monly known as nacre, around the tatious glance is scrutinized, in true tabloid fashion, to thiest when eaten raw on the intruder. As long as the intruder verify whether this is true. half shelf, with the oyster liquor. remains inside its body, A soap opera. Rather than a reasoned and sophis- Boasting of an unmatched level the oyster ticated exchange, name calling and shouting matches of Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins grace our parliament, while the powers-that-be are and minerals like iron and not afraid to use their bully pulpit to point to imagi- zinc, oysters are si- nary bogeymen threatening to bring about national divisions and the apocalypse. To what end are there really two diametrically op- posed visions for the future? Is it a healthy competi- tion of ideologies and ideas? Listening to each party, one feels that one is suffering from perpetual déjà vu. Bodha’s statement that “We will surf on the growth of India and China” is synonymous with what wikileaks reports the opposition as saying:“We should ride the Indian wave.” On second thoughts, maybe this hysteria is neces- sary, giving us an illusion of a robust political class and dialogue. Without it, the real bankruptcy of our Oyster reefs are visible at low tide. political narrative might become all too obvious. l’express [ Friday 22 April 2011 • Insert N° 3 L'EXPRESS YOURSELF ] p. 42 Ganga Talao Demystifi ed A sacred lake or a mockery THE Ganga Talao is a place considered pure and the lower ned right in front of our eyes they are expected to be fully that invokes a panoply of emo- ones impure. Our shoes touch and when we spoke with one of “The Ganga dressed and made to leave their tions in the hearts of the Hindus the ground and consequently the persons responsible for the Talao is not shoes before entering the place. in our country. It is considered are considered impure. Hence, temple about it, the only answer Proper dress code is expected as one of the most, if not the when we remove them before we got was that we should mind a place for even at the Taj Mahal, which is most, sacred places for Hindus entering a sacred place, we also our own business and leave the a mausoleum. Politicians of this in Mauritius and is a place that symbolically leave behind the rest in the hands of God. picnicking country too, instead of ‘subtly’ inspires deep reverence and impurity attached to them. The I could not disagree more. It and neither using the place as a platform commands respect; that is, to tourists were blissfully unaware is crucial for people to take this for propaganda at times, could people who are aware of what of these and made the most of matter in their very own hands. is its primary see to it that tours to the Grand this place symbolises for devout their time at the lake by getting The Ganga Talao is not a place Bassin are organized in a better Hindus. My trip to Grand Bas- really close to the statues- all for picnicking and neither is its purpose to serve way and that there are people sin yesterday shattered many smiles, ready to take home a primary purpose to serve as a as a tourist there to ensure that the sanctity conceptions I had of the place, wonderful piece of Mauritius. tourist attraction. It is one of the of the place is preserved. Socio- unfortunately so. The image that comes to holiest places for Hindus in this attraction.” cultural organizations have key On our arrival, my family my mind as I write this article country and it is clear that there role to play as well, instead of and I started our prayers at the is that of a scantily clad woman, should be rules and regulations being the lackeys of Ministers. lake itself and what was striking wearing a strapless top and a to maintain and, considering Or perhaps some of them could at fi rst sight was the swarm of pair of micro shorts (at fi rst, the actual situation, restore or- go there with a camera and take tourists that gradually gathe- I could not decide if she was der there and see to it that the some photos of the unchecked red around and started taking wearing a pair of shorts or if it tenets of our religion are not profanation going on there. photos of us the very moment was just a huge belt), imitating violated. Perhaps many would The Grand Bassin that I saw we did something- lighting the the posture of one of the God- say that we need to be tolerant was one that had lost the inhe- camphor, incense sticks and desses near the lake. However, towards tourists- with tourism rent serenity and quiet which pouring water over the shrines. this was not to be the end of our constituting a major chunk of I had always associated with it Click! Click! Click! By the time bad surprises. When we entered our national revenue, but then since my childhood. When my my dad cracked the coconut- one of the temples, priority was what I saw yesterday had no- family and I had set out for the which seemed to have been given to the tourists to wear the thing to do with tolerance but place in the morning, my bro- interpreted as a climactic mo- tilak, which is a religious mark a gross abuse of it. Surely, we ther and myself were greatly ment in our prayers, there was worn on the forehead; meant to should not object to people vi- excited at the prospect of going almost a real frenzy to get us invoke a feeling of sanctity on siting the place for the sake of to pray at the hill temple and ‘locals’ as part of an interesting the wearer and others and pro- visiting it only but then perhaps count the steps on the way there photo shoot made at a tourist tect against negative forces and tour operators could do a bet- (which certainly do form part attraction! In all the years that tendencies. However, what I ter job of informing tourists of the ritual to reach the place) I have been to Grand Bassin, I saw was a gimmick being made on how to dress and behave but what we saw at its feet itself have never felt as alienated as I of this very religious act; with in the holy place: there should had terribly waned our excite- did yesterday. And neither have those inappropriately dressed be a dress code, shoes should ment, replaced it with a sense I felt so frustrated at a situation tourists wrapping their arms be compulsorily removed be- of revolt, in turn substituted by which got out of hand. The around the offi ciating priest fore entering the premises and a feeling of resignation, which tourists present there all wore there and immortalizing the nobody should picnic around ate up all our energy and made shoes; which in itself is a profa- moment in a photograph which the temples. We can take the us change our minds. We ins- nation in Hinduism, desecrating to them means nothing more example of how other countries tead found a java apple tree the holy place. Perhaps at this than a visit to a local tourist at- accommodate tourists in reli- (zamalac) and were kindly of- point, it should be important traction. The most sacrosanct gious places. In France, when fered some by a man who had to highlight the symbolism of chamber of the temple was you enter the Basilique du climbed it. His act of courtesy the feet in the Hindu religion being royally pro- fa- Sacre Coeur at Montmartre, made us smile but was, sadly, and how it is rooted in the Ve- tourists are politely asked not not enough to save the day. dic conception of the universe to use their cameras inside and as the body of God. The body respect the religious silence of A DISGRUNTLED HINDU has high parts and low parts- the church. Similarly, in India with the high parts when tourists visit holy places STEPHANE BENOIT p. 43 [L'EXPRESS YOURSELF Insert N° 3 • Friday 22 April 2011 ] l’express Democracy Watch An apple a day ] Neotown: Mega scandal By Dr Zina Valaydon or mega project ?

Diet Wars ow-fat, Low-carbohydrate, Atkins, South Beach, The Zone… Diets crop up faster than mushrooms after a rainy night and every single one of them Lpromises miracles. In the wake of a chocolate- laden Easter, many of us will attempt a diet of some des- cription with renewed resolve. When confronted with so many choices, whom do we believe? The co-worker who swears by tomato juice? The Cosmopolitan before-and-af- ter pictures of Kim Kardashian? Surprisingly, the thorou- ghly unglamorous medical literature holds your answer. First the classic no-brainer: the low-calorie diet. This diet limits high-fat, high-sugar food and shrinks your por- tion sizes. No more overfl owing plates or second servings. The Prime minister laying the foundation stone of the Neotown project. It’s a simple concept, but if you complicate it a bit by ad- ding a point-counting system, pre-packaged meals and ● Text : The articles, whether He concludes: This is not an in- their land could become ten times pre-planned menus, you have a multi-million dollar favourable or not, that dealt with the vestment, but a gift, given on a more valuable, if not more. business known as Weight Watchers. I’ll move on now Neotown real estate project deve- golden plate, from Mauritius to 3. Neotown could allow us before I get sued. loped by the Indian promoter Patel. the Patel company…to the detri- to build the Dream Bridge that The low-fat diet was a favourite of the 90s along ● Comment: The MMM ment of Mauritians. We do not many are dreaming of, especially with infamous pop music. Fat is a calorie kamikaze but has proclaimed: Neotown is a know if Patel’s shareholders were those who have not been able to it is lip-smackingly fl avoursome. To compensate for the mega scandal! What law forces us, easily fooled, and willingly fell build it so far. lack of fat, food manufacturers often increase the sugar both the population and Demo- into the trap of this too good to 4. The space allocated to Neo- content. So be smart and read the labels; your light yo- cracy Watch to believe the party’s be true story. town is not the only one of its kind ghurt may have enough sugar to send you into a coma. new tagline? We demand proof, Democracy Watch cannot in the region of the harbour. We The low-carbohydrate diet, pioneered by Dr Atkins, approved by the institution res- prevent Patel from fooling his sha- can easily imagine other fabulous who ironically was obese himself, is the complete op- ponsible for it. We at Democracy reholders, especially if they are com- projects between Bain des Dames posite. You eat protein and fat with carefree abandon Watch refuse to condemn anyone placent. Democracy Watch deplores and Fort William, or at Mer Rouge, but starch and sugar are off-limits. The Atkins diet, when on the basis of accusations. The however that the promoter has de- along the Canal Anglais. taken to extremes, is associated with serious cardiac and MMM’s previous actions hardly picted Mauritians as a nation of 5. The Mauritian private sec- renal side effects. Intuition alone should tell you that ea- speak in their favour. Mauritians fools (to avoid using a more vulgar tor (all groups included) have so ting meat dripping in fat daily would eventually catch up will not easily forget the mega fai- word), who are incapable of unders- far been unable to start a project as with you; you don’t need a medical journal to warn you. lure of the Sheik Hossen case. tanding the real estate value of the promising as Neotown, in spite of The Mediterranean diet revolves around the Italian Democracy Watch takes plea- site where Neotown will be built. the success of Caudan Waterfront. and Greek culinary contributions to gastronomy- olive sure in reminding the MMM that Democracy Watch would also Even if we had the means to build oil, soft cheeses, wine, nuts and seeds and fi brous vege- while it was in power, it was also the like to point out that the 99-year a Neotown which would be 100% tables. It decreases cardiovascular mortality as well as victim of the destructive partisan lease between the State owning the Mauritian, we might not necessarily the risks of cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. demagogy that drains the trust of land and the tenants is nothing out be able to attract Indian investors Now, I realise that often, it’s vanity and not cardio- the population in its politicians, who of the ordinary, even if the usual and their international offshoots. vascular concerns that spur us to diet. When we are are nevertheless indispensable. The trend is to reduce the time-frame to 6. Attracting Asian promoters frantically trying to squeeze into our outfi ts at the last MMM should especially remember a more reasonable period of 30 or and investors is the best way to get minute, we turn to desperate measures: fad diets. These what critics had to say about it, with 33 years. Could the critics of Neo- Western investors to fi nally take us plans are restrictive, forbidding a wide variety of foods regards to the Illovo Deal and the town tell us which law was sup- seriously. and are essentially glorifi ed starvation plans punctua- sale of the Touessrok and La Piro- posedly cancelled to please Patel? ● Conclusion : Only history ted by dubious rewards such as celery sticks and cab- gue to South Africans. The Neotown project has ad- will tell us who will be the winners bage soup. Forget fad diets: they may slim you down To get back to the mega vantages that cannot be ignored: and the losers in the case of Neo- enough to fi t into your couture but they don’t last and project or mega scandal of Neo- 1. An area of 50 hectares could town, whether is it a mega scandal are downright dangerous as they deplete protein stores town, it all began with the words become a highly developed zone, or a mega project. We must remem- and dehydrate the body. of Patel, the promoter, as he tried creating collateral riches. ber the beginnings of our processing So, after all that jazz, which diet is best? to convince (and perhaps even 2. If Neotown is a success, it zone, with factories from Taiwan Low-fat, low-carb and Mediterranean diets are equi- dupe) his shareholders. He des- could increase the value of land and Hong Kong. Meanwhile, we valent but low-carbohydrate diets work more quickly. cribed his Neotown project in in the area of Cassis. Democracy shall continue to keep watch on de- Most importantly, a diet’s success depends on how long the most idyllic terms (a 99 year Watch is calling on those who truly mocracy. you stick to it. So choose wisely; don’t delude yourself that lease, Cabinet devoted to him, a defend the population of Cassis and you can maintain some dreary fl axseed-soybean diet that law amended to suit his needs). les Salines to be careful and wise, as Democracy Watch Team tastes like cardboard. After your third miserable protein shake, you will probably quit and who would blame you? If all these expensive studies have shown us one thing it’s that dieting is not black magic. There is a lucrative Rejoinder] industry out there trying to convince us that bizarre We would like to express our appreciation to our press colleagues from News on Sunday for the concoctions, strange menus and fake sugar are the Holy prompt action they have taken with regards to Mr. Bissessur’s plagiarism. We realize that coming across Grail when in fact, all we have to do is eat less. It’s not such a species of writers is a common job hazard. rocket science. Now go eat your chocolate egg and we’ll L’Express Weekly team worry about it later. Happy Easter. l’express [ Friday 22 April 2011• Insert N° 3 INTERNATIONAL SCENE] p. 44 Global media BBC : Bigger than Britain

CUT the BBC and it’s Britain BBC “remains the ultimate source that will be harmed. This strong for Africans on African issues.” In advice emanated from the UK’s response to these testimonies, the all-party House of Commons BBC stated that “it is of course for Foreign Affairs Committee. This the government and parliament committee rejected this week a to decide on the priorities for pu- government planned budget cut blic spending (…) If, in the light of of 16 % (around £ 46 m) to the the FAC report, the government BBC’s World Service. Following is prepared to re-open aspects of an investigation which started in the spending review settlement the Nad SIVARAMEN January 2011, Richard Ottaway, BBC will be pleased to engage with Chairman of the Committee, them constructively...” concluded that the 79-year-old news corporation was probably Geared to external Britain’s most popular soft power and that fi nancial cuts are a “false audiences economy” that would damage the The key reason to avert the country’s image around the globe, budgetary cut is political, not really especially in nations like India and fi nancial. Although they have the China. “The recent dramatic events largest audience and highest re- in North Africa and the Middle putation, the leadership of BBC East have shown the ‘soft power’ World News is fully aware that the wielded through the World Service Broadcasters have a genuine following all over the world. corporation cannot be complacent. could bring even more benefi ts to “We believe the unique advantages the U.K. in the future than it has in and broadcast by announcers. But It is perhaps Britain’s greatest gift of having a workforce drawn from the past.” this changed some 20 years ago. to the world this century (…) 27 different language groups sup- The coalition government clai- Journalists started to be recruited The unparalleled reputation of plementing our renowned English med the cut was needed in a bid to and trained from all over the world the World Service rests on three language newsgathering operation tackle the budget defi cit it inherited and now it is a genuine service from pillars: accuracy, impartiality and gives us an advantage that few oth- from the previous Labour govern- the world to the world. accessibility. As a strong suppor- er international news organisations ment. Foreign Secretary Hague “At the BBC we believe we ter of the BBC World Service, can match”, pointed out Richard did recognize that by insisting “the now have an unrivalled internal particularly in remote regions, I Horrocks. BBC World Service performs network that is able to gather and hope you will do everything pos- As opposed to the Voice of an invaluable role, refl ecting retell global stories. By making sure sible to maintain this service and America (total of 44 languages), British democratic values over- we have the right skills, the right public good”, wrote Kofi Annan the BBC has fewer resources. But seas and supporting British in- languages, and the right culture to to the Foreign Affairs Com- unlike the BBC, VOA does not have fl uence in the world. However, ensure we share our knowledge, we mittee. These written pieces of a strong US-based news partner of in line with all other publicly can create a global network where evidence that came spontaneous- scale and remains more geared to- funded bodies, it must play its stories from all our teams and all ly from the former UN Secretary wards external audiences. Other part in reducing the defi cit...” corners of the globe are part of a General, as well as from remote competitors of the BBC could also The world’s largest internatio- uniquely diverse mix of stories”, anonymous listeners, have been be CNN and Al Jazeera, but, albeit nal broadcaster, the BBC World said Peter Horrocks, Director of compiled in a voluminous Re- important resources to move from Service is funded by the British Fo- BBC Global News. port, “The Implications of Cuts nation-specifi c roots to interna- reign Service while the BBC’s do- to the BBC World Service.” tional audiences, they do not have mestic broadcasts are funded by a Uncensored news Despite the fact that her loyal- the intent to go global editorially. tax on television sets. The Corpora- ties are no longer with the BBC, The BBC views their purpose as tion opted for fi ve language service And the BBC is not just a news Corinne Podger, a Senior Journalist being “to develop news services closures (Portuguese for Africa, outlet, it has become an institution. at ABC Radio Australia, (who was a that allow them to put a distinctly Carribean English, Macedonian, In an era of a myriad voices and former BBC World Service journa- national slant on coverage.” True, Serbian and Albanian). The pro- perspectives with the world wide list), also protested against the cuts. CNN still refl ects in its editorial posed cuts also encompassed clo- web and airwaves, the BBC’s at- “China is seen as the Asian giant in preoccupations some very solid US sures of radio programs in seven tachment to relative impartiality, economic terms, but the vast majo- origins while Al Jazeera, which has languages, and a phased reduction hard facts and well written texts rity of Chinese still live in straitened departed from a particular Middle of the distribution of most short remains a reference for journalists, circumstances and the Internet is Eastern perspective, still has a long wave and medium wave radio ser- even though some claim that hove- not easily accessible and heavily road to go in terms of partnerships vices. An estimated 30 million au- ring above the globe in an attempt censored.” Like her, many jour- with other countries. dience members would be deprived to have no viewpoint is simply phi- nalists wrote down their concerns. As for the newspapers, like of their programs, and 480 people losophically impossible. Jacqueline Stainburn, who covered Le Monde, The New York Times, would be jobless. Whatever one might think the release from prison of Nelson The Guardian, they have genuine Founded in 1932, the BBC’s of the BBC’s editorial line, the Mandela for the BBC: “The World global ambitions, but illiteracy global English service was fi rst cal- truth is that the institution is now Service radio continues to provide rates and rising paper production led the Empire Service. At that time part of peoples’ lives. “The BBC a lifeline to people in times of cri- costs are not helping them. In the language broadcasting of news World Service is a subject close sis. Recent examples include the short, none of them has become was not built on reporting from to my heart. I noted once before disasters in Pakistan and Haiti. By the BBC yet, that is an institution abroad. The production process of that, for millions of people, across cutting services, the BBC will lose that no one can touch, not even a news was rather a centralized one the world, it has been a way of the ability to control broadcasting coalition government struggling where news bulletins and features, cutting through the veil of tyran- in times of emergencies.” From to save taxpayers’ money in the written in English, were translated ny to provide uncensored news. Rwanda, one journalist said the midst of an economic crisis! p. 45 [INTERNATIONAL NEWS Insert N° 3 • Friday 22 April 2011 ] l’express

A street protest in Tunisia during the unrest of recent months. What happens when the Jasmine fades? IMAGES of democracy in educated civil society in the region faultlines. That the anarchy could be plications. The Damascus regime assume leadership roles where motion make for intoxicating te- is that of Egypt’s. But even there, taken advantage of by Islamic extre- is viewed by many as a cat’s paw none existed for them previous- levision. The kid next to the sol- few institutions exist. The heads of mists isn’t unlikely, and dismantling for Iranian interests. Help to the ly. Human societies crave order, dier with his tank at Tahrir Square, state have donned military colours the military overnight will remove Hezbollah in Lebanon, locked and in situations of strife, clerics the exhausted rebel in a Libyan and have exterminated critics and a bulwark against mushrooming in a protracted war with Israel, promising stability, whatever desert and women and children opposition with the help of an all- of terror outfi ts. The removal of also comes from Damascus and the terms of such an order are, out in Bahrain’s Pearl Square. powerful secret police and perpe- the dictator will create a political the Assads have a fair amount of could gain a mass following. Next stop, democracy, the footage trated a regime of fear. Corruption vacuum in a country where no clout in how the political struc- In Indonesia, when the 1997 suggests as anchors hurtle to keep is endemic, made evident by the political elite barring Gaddafi loya- ture in the fractured neighbour Asian economic turmoil eroded pace with the compelling images baksheesh culture that permeates lists has been allowed to fl ourish. is arranged. It’s insane to pre- dictator Suharto’s credibility and and churn out the two-minute re- all layers of offi cialdom; courts are Unlike Syria, where thanks to the dict how things would shape fi nally caused his downfall, the volution theory. arranged to favour the powerful Ba’ath Party, the political base is up if Assad fell but violence is a leader of the tolerant Muslim The painful truth is that the and the upper middle class lives in a tad wider, Libya has no second- fair certainty. country’s largest religious mo- path to Egypt, Libya, Syria and negotiated comfort with the milita- rung of leadership to fall back on It’s a shame that Bashir Assad vement, the Nahdnatul Ulama, Yemen emerging as western-style ry. Will all this disappear in one fell barring tribal leaders and military didn’t loosen up the political sys- Abdurrahman Wahid, was no- democracies could be torturous swoop? Unlikely. Too many vested commanders. tem fast enough to prevent this. minated as the successor. That and long. And even worse for places interests are entrenched, the biggest The breakneck pace at which Gus Dur, as he was popularly like Bahrain and other rich Emirates among them being the politico- Separation of church protests seem to be spreading known, was a moderate leader where civil society has suddenly dis- military. Egypt is the best place to won’t leave him room for gradual with great respect for the mi- covered it has a political mind. make the transition, though. It does and state change. That apart, the worst fear norities, helped Indonesia com- A look at the map of West Asia have a parliament, a body of legis- is that these regimes will fall in plete a transition to a modern shows many straight lines drawn lative rules and a set of laws that the In Syria, where tens of thou- the hands of Islamic hardliners. parliamentary democracy that across the barren deserts by Eu- courts can use. sands are sitting in for Bashir That may or may not happen subsequently elected liberal lea- ropean powers and civil servants Take the case of Libya, where Assad’s ouster, the topography is but the ground is fertile for such ders like Megawati Sukarnopu- in London to create nations that US intervention looks menacingly even more complicated. Despite an outcome. In countries where tri as president. But that’s not an suited the post-colonial foreign po- like George Bush’s regime change being overwhelmingly Sunni, regimes have been traditionally outcome that’s going to follow if licy needs of colonisers. Little heed war in Iraq. Barack Obama has ta- Syria is a mosaic of competing repressive, the mosques tend to in a vacuum, political space is was paid to the demographic he- ken care to broaden NATO invol- faiths and cultures that have transform into political arenas usurped by religious hardliners terogeneity of the region where an vement but the fi rst few rounds of been papered over by a socialis- where dissidents and critics meet. with a conservative Islamic vi- artifi cial nationality negotiated with US attacks muddied the waters and tic-sounding political system re- That apart, the separation of the sion of civil society. the local satrap was imposed on the gave Muammar Gaddafi interna- presented by the Ba’ath Party. If church and state isn’t obligatory Blurb: Human societies crave people. Since then, most countries tional oxygen to breathe fi re against the order crumbles, it would ex- even in Islamic democracies. order, and in situations of strife, have lived under autocratic rulers at ‘American Imperialists’. It’s hard to pose chasms between the Chris- Lastly, where the legitimacy clerics promising stability, whate- best and tyrannical at worst. Nasser sympathise with Gaddafi , but lifting tians, the Alawis, the Druze, the of the existing ruler is destroyed ver the terms of such an order are, in Egypt was anti-imperial but not all forms of control, undemocratic Ismailiyas and even the Greek by a public upsurge and there could gain a mass following. a democrat. as they may be, will push Libya Orthodox group. Flux in Syria isn’t any clear political succes- By far the most peaceful and into violent chaos and reopen tribal could also lead to regional com- sion in the works, clerics could ©Times Of India p.46 [WE MARK THE SPOT Insert N° 3 • Friday 22 April 2011 ] l’express The popularity of Casela Na- ture Park is due to the awesome experience of seeing some 1500 Invitation to adventure species, including birds, giant tortoises and monkeys. How- ever, since 2007, the park has been home to felines, hugely popular among Mauritians Walking with Lions and tourists alike. Some kilo- metres down from the park, the s the safari cart goes fi ve minutes later, we presence of the big cats adds through the gates to the meet Graeme and Ju- to the feeling of wilderness lion park, one is focussed lie Bristow, founders and adventure. Aonly on the promise of of Safari Adventures adventure - the “Walk with Lions” in Mauritius. tour. This afternoon, the group Graeme is a third of nine visitors comprises a generation keeper of lions newly-wed couple from and is happy to talk about his team. Saudi Arabia, brothers “There are eleven lions but we walk with from France, a father seven of them for their exercise and for and son them to get used to people. Simultaneous- from the ly, the visitors live an unforgettable experi- USA and ence. On each tour, there are two handlers, businessmen a professional guide and two cameramen.” from India. This afternoon, Stéphane will be guiding all, these felines are famous Marquise, us through our adventure while Denito and for being the strictest of car- the attend- Danillo handle Ginger, a male cub, aged nivores, acting on primitive ant, readily eight months and Jumanji, a female cub of instincts! However, with the guid- answers our six months. ance and humour of the guide, Stéphane, queries. The one gradually dares more proximity with untamed land- The highlights of the tour Ginger. We are also given facts about the scape is breath- lions’ habits. The highlights of the tour are taking! Alighting Listening attentively to the rules as enu- crouching near Ginger for photos, Ginger from the cart merated by Stéphane, we wait a few kilo- climbing on a branch, playing with his tail metres away from the cage. We admire the while he strides quickly forward. big cats in anticipation. As they approach, As we walk back to the kiosk through we feel envious of the three men who han- the lush greenery, the group shares a spe- dle them with such ease, as if they were cial feeling of having lived a unique expe- domestic pets. What was for us our fi rst rience which hardly exists anywhere else, encounter with the nocturnal predators was except in Zimbabwe. The “Walk with Li- for them a daily activity. ons” tour lived up to all its promises of ad- Ginger approaches us while Jumanji is venture in the wilderness with due respect more interested in lying in the grass. Some for the animals’ habitat. cajoling will be required to get Jumanji on the track. One initially feels scared. After Majhegy MURDEN Kreol korner]

Rann enn servis= do us/me a favour Mauritians like to “rann servis”, maybe because it’s a guaranteed way of them feel useful. But often, one “rann enn servis” to be eventually owed knowing what’s happening in other people’s lives. Some might argue it’s a favour. So the favours go round and round and, often, the rules because they’re good-hearted; the cynics will say it’s because it makes are bent in the process. But it’s ok since it’s for a good cause! NR

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