66th Year -- No. 3680 Tuesday, May 25, 2021 www.mauritiustimes.com facebook.com/mauritius.times 18 Pages - ePaper MAURITIUS TIMES

l "I'd rather regret the things I've done than regret the things I haven't done." -- Lucille Ball The Integrity Reporting Services Agency “It appears the IRSA has so far tracked down one individual: Navin Ramgoolam”

By LEX + See Page 5-11 Health and Well-Being of Senior Citizens

Geopolitical Dr R Neerunjun Gopee + See Page 3 Arena of the Talking politics in 2021: Lessons on humility and truth-seeking Indian Ocean from Benjamin Franklin + By Jan Arden See Page 4 By Mark Canada, Indiana University + See Page 2 Mauritius Times Tuesday, May 25, 2021 www.mauritiustimes.com Edit Page facebook.com/mauritius.times 2

The Conversation Dangerous Talking politics in 2021: Lessons on humility and truth-seeking from Benjamin Franklin Portents Benjamin Franklin spoke and wrote in ways that, if taken up now, could uring their press conference on Saturday last, the opposition begin to erode the polarization of the current era members making up the team covered a few topics, amongst Dwhich drugs and the serial episodes of violence that have he previous year in the United become such a frequent occurrence in the country. Drugs have been the States was a turbulent one, subject of multiple interventions by politicians of all hues, but so far with- Tfilled with political strife, out any sign of resolution of the problem despite the Lam Shang Leen protests over racism and a devastating Drug Commission Report and the Task Force that was set up to follow up pandemic. Underlying all three has on recommendations chaired by Sir Anerood Jugnauth. He is now out of been a pervasive political polarization, the picture, and Lex in this week’s Qs & As pertinently asks whether the made worse by a breakdown in civic – Task Force has died a natural death. and civil – discourse, not only on Capitol Hill, but around the nation. As worrying as this is, compounded further by the ravages being caused by the epidemic of synthetic drug use, another equally dangerous In a new year, with a new president phenomenon that has emerged and is spreading is what Nando Bodha and a new Congress, there appears to has referred to as gang culture. This is the first time that this term is being be opportunity. Americans, starting used, and if indeed such gang culture is being ‘institutionalised’ in our with the president, are talking about social landscape, then we are in for very scary times ahead. As if the turning away from the division of the other crimes that are taking place are not enough! Delays in police inves- recent past and choosing a different tigations and action, with further lags caused by protracted and obstruc- direction: talking civilly and productive- tive legal proceedings seem to have emboldened the perpetrators, and ly about the problems the country Men arguing about COVID-19 restrictions at a protest in may be part of the explanation of why this gang culture is multiplying its faces. Woodland Hills, Calif. on May 16, 2020. criminal acts. But how to do that? As a literary Pic - David McNew/Getty scholar, I appreciate the power of care- On the other hand, is the resurgence of cases of Covid, which have After all, Franklin wrote, “a positive, assum- fully crafted language, and I believe that so far been isolated or small numbers in scattered areas across the coun- ing manner” tends to turn off an audience and Americans – from those in government to those try. All of a sudden now we are confronted with another large cluster of thus undermines one’s own intentions. 28 cases in Vallee Pitot which has been declared red zone yesterday. around the dinner table – could take a lesson This is the second largest number of cases detected in one locality after from one of this nation’s founders and greatest Such positive assertion can interfere with the one at Forest Side which led to the lockdown, and concerned a sin- communicators: Benjamin Franklin. the exchange of valuable information. “If you wish information and improvement from the gle family group, involving 42 cases, and that group had the unfortunate From ‘positive Argumentation’ to tragedy of losing loved ones to the Covid-19 bug. knowledge of others,” Franklin wrote, “and yet ‘modest Diffidence’ at the same time express yourself as firmly As we await further developments and information from the authori- Before he achieved fame as a statesman, fixed in your present opinions, modest, sensible ties regarding this large new cluster, apprehension is growing as there scientist and diplomat, Franklin, who was born men, who do not love disputation, will probably are rumours that under pressure from the private sector, in particular the in 1706 and died in 1790, made his living in leave you undisturbed in the possession of your hotel lobby, the government is planning to open the frontiers as from the Philadelphia from words – as a printer, journa- error.” end of June, and perhaps even earlier, with all the risks that this decision list and essayist. In 2021, replacing positive assertions in may lead to as regards a further intensification of the pandemic locally. conversations with some “terms of modest So many views have been expressed about the need to resume eco- Having worked early in his life in Boston for Diffidence” just might lead to exchanges that nomic activities as the country’s financial reserves are being drained, but his brother James, a fiery journalist, he knew are not only more civil, but also more produc- treading the fine line between doing that and containing the pandemic is the kind of war that could be waged with words tive. going to require a trapeze’s skill! and had even made a hobby of debating with a young friend. Whether it is crimes or large clusters, the onus finally falls on the Pursuing truth, not victory authorities. They have to beef up their surveillance and control mecha- “We sometimes disputed,” Franklin recalled More important than modest expression is nisms. They have to be more strict about compliance with gatherings in in his autobiography, “and very fond we were of actual intellectual humility, and here again large numbers in defiance of what is recommended, as this endangers Argument, & very desirous of confuting one Franklin’s example is instructive. Even before the whole country, with the spectre of further and complete lockdown another.” he turned his inquiring mind to groundbreaking hanging over our heads. Things seem to be getting worse and worse, Everything changed for Franklin, however, discoveries in electricity, he showed a scien- and this is a dangerous trend. after he came across some examples of tist’s dedication to open, objective investigation Socratic dialogue, in which questions figure with only truth as its object. prominently. “I was charmed with it,” Franklin In 1727, when he was still in his early 20s, Mauritius Times wrote, “adopted it, drop my abrupt Contradic- he founded a group called the Junto. Members, tion, and positive Argumentation, and put on the Founder/Editor: Beekrumsing Ramlallah - Aug 1954-Sept 2000 including a number of tradesmen like Franklin, humble Enquirer & Doubter.” took up political, philosophical and other ques- Editor-in-chief: M. Ramlallah / Senior Editor: Dr RN Gopee The inspired Franklin eventually changed tions such as “Does the Importation of Servants This epaper has been produced with the assistance of his entire manner of discourse, communicating increase or advance the Wealth of our Country?” and Doojesh Ramlallah, Sultana Kurmally and Kersley Ramsamy “in terms of modest Diffidence” instead of posi- tive assertion, dropping words such as “certain- Pearl House 4th Floor Room 406 - Sir Virgil Naz Street, ly” and “undoubtedly” and substituting “I should Port Louis -- Tel: 5-29 29301 Tel/Fax: 212 1313 think it so or so” and “it is so, if I am not mista- Mark Canada - Indiana University ken.” [email protected] www.mauritiustimes.com facebook.com/mauritius.times * Cont. on page 11 Op-Ed Mauritius Times Tuesday, May 25, 2021 3 Health and Well-Being of Senior Citizens fresh air. And have hobbies that give pleasure and can be shared across age groups, like reading or nature treks. I briefly explained the changes that take place as one ages: most visible of course were those in the skin which thins out, becomes wrinkled, and then whitening of the hair with or without baldness. But these visible changes are accompanied by corresponding changes in Dr R Neerunjun Gopee the other bodily structures. And thus there is a slowing down, easy tiredness, and s we are all aware, not being able to do do as from the beginning much as before. Vision dimi- Aof the Covid pan- nishes, and bodily reflexes demic, a major concern are not as prompt. There may has been the health of be diminution of vision, as senior citizens. This is well as a slowing down of because Covid-19 being a digestion, constipation, as coronavirus, it was well as urinary incontinence. expected to affect the On the other hand, familiar to elderly predominantly, like all is forgetfulness. These are the ‘flu. Indeed, that’s some of the main alterations- what happened initially, cum-deteriorations that take and as deaths started to The way to do this is of course to start early, by which place, and they can occur in the absence of any disease occur most of the victims were seniors, partly also I mean that you mustn’t wait until you become senior ci- which, if present, can aggravate them depending on because they had comorbidities like diabetes, heart di- tizen to begin thinking about your health. Well before that which organ is affected. sease or hypertension and so on. In fact, as health sys- stage is reached, you must make up your mind to remain However, the good news is that most of these tems came to be quickly overrun with the surging num- in the pink, i.e. from your young age. bers of patients infected with Covid, there were allega- changes can to some degree be prevented, and certain- tions that health services were being prioritized towards That’s why I salute the initiative of Global Rainbow ly their onset delayed if in addition to the good habits the younger patients to the detriment of the elderly – in Foundation to organize a webinar under the aegis of its adopted at early age – although it is never too late to start nursing homes in the UK, for example. When vaccines U3AM (University of 3rd Age Mauritius), and willingly – they added: pranayama to improve lung function, and first became available, seniors were on the priority list accepted to be the resource person for the event held on taichi to develop and maintain bodily equilibrium which is along with frontliners. last Thursday 20th May, with the theme ‘Health & Well- very important in old age to prevent falls that can cause being of Seniors including Covid impact.’ Although the fractures with disabling consequences. Further, they Within a short time, however, all age groups began to audience consisted mainly of seniors, as expected, I could take up yoga to maintain the suppleness of their be infected, and Covid didn’t care about the weather, con- made it a point to request them to pass the message to joints and stimulate the hormonal glands, as well as its tinuing in all countries and climes its expansionist designs their families and friends about the importance of starting meditative practices to calm the mind and reduce stress. – by default or by design (as is currently being specu- young to keep oneself fit so as to ‘age healthily’ when the Moreover, to keep the mind sharp, they could read, do lated) – on its preferred targets, us human beings. time comes. puzzles, solve crosswords or Sudoku. Although there are set medical criteria e.g. severity of di- sease based on symptoms and data from examination of And that started, as I pointed out with, firstly, unders- Walking is a simple form of exercise that can help the patient and the results of investigations, in an en- tanding what is meant by health, which most of us equate immensely. If one has friends to walk with and socialize vironment with shortage of beds and facilities, doctors are with absence of disease. In other words, because of this with – remember social well-being? - nothing like that, faced with an enduring dilemma of who to admit when lack of knowledge of the different dimensions of health, especially if the friends are from different social, econo- young and old are equally in need of intensive treatment. as long as we feel well – which is the case at least for the mic and occupational backgrounds. Or one could prefer first few decades of our life – we keep on indulging in to take a daily ‘appointment with oneself” by walking Sometimes this is resolved when there is an act of goodies. And then one day disease strikes, and we ask alone, introspecting and retrospecting, and revel in nos- altruism – as happened in the state of UP in Bharat a few ‘what happened? I have been so well!’ talgia especially when loved ones are far away. weeks ago, when an 80-plus year-old patient preferred to allow a young patient to be allotted the only bed available Well, no. The body can take in a lot, and keep adjus- Additionally, one must be careful not to do stupid that he had been assigned, saying that he had lived his ting, but at some stage there is a breaking point. So I things like climbing ladders and fiercely ‘karchering’ and life and that patient was more deserving. His family started by spelling out the definition of health according to cleaning, or immediately upon retirement begin to overkill respected his wish and took him home, where he passed WHO, which is: ‘Health is a state of complete physical, in long hours of unaccustomed exercise and activities peacefully after a few days. mental & social well-being and not merely absence of di- such as gardening: be moderate in everything is the sease.’ motto. Such acts of goodness may not necessarily be repli- cated widely, but if we arrive at three score and ten in the This meant therefore that one should provide good There must be acceptance of one’s limitations and best of shapes, we diminish the risk of catching Covid – nourishment to the body (physical), the mind (mental) adjustment of one’s lifestyle accordingly: slow down, take or any infection --, thus lessening the burden on the and nurture sound and happy relationships (social) at all naps, be careful on stairs, organize a ground floor room health system – which itself can be considered as an act times. In practice, this places a responsibility on parents and as regards bathroom get rid of fancy fittings and have of ‘neutral,’ collective, altruism – and make place for to inculcate the habit of healthy eating to their children, handrails etc. Besides, jot down things to do; keep keys, those more deserving. Again, as we all have been hea- avoiding fast foods and fizzy drinks, having plenty of money etc. in designated places, and be regular with ring from the experts, Covid is here to stay. Isn’t it in order greens, vegetables and fruits: but lead by example! Don’t medications, avoid self-stopping without medical advice, that we should prepare ourselves for it in anticipation? – smoke, certainly not in front of children, and stick to being or self-medication except simple ones. whatever happens later, for not everything is in our hands a social drinker if at all that is a requirement. Get out from Voila! That should do for a start, and may it be a good after all! in front of the screens and engage in physical activity in start on joining the club! Opinion Mauritius Times Tuesday, May 25, 2021 4 Geopolitical Arena of the Indian Ocean The PM's answers in Parliament are reassuring: No military base in Agalega, no long-term lease...The league of India-bashers, we suspect, will continue to fret

Jan Arden and l tourism promotion and cultural exchanges. ost of us know what we un- while the IOR-A identified two focus derstand by the Indian Ocean, areas, namely Blue Economy and Mintuitively at least. More for- Women's Economic Empowerment. mally, the idea of a platform regrouping states bordering the Indian Ocean, and Most of these could be said to be among the chief issues in regional coo- sharing common interests around peration and peaceful development even peaceful and conflict-free development today and some significant achievements seems to have taken root around 1995 can be partly attributed to those original through the initiative of President Nelson concepts: sharing and managing common Mandela and his Indian counterpart. fisheries resources of the zone and Soon after, the multilateral treaty called keeping predatory industrial fleets under the Indian Ocean Rim Association for close check is one of them. The last Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC) was Council of Ministers Summit in Doha, UAE officially launched in 1997 with seven ini- in 2019 stated “We recognise the impor- tial signatories, later expanded to four- tance of ocean health for a sustainable teen and now it seems at 23, with 10 blue economy and well-being of Indian additional “dialogue partners”. Mauritius Ocean communities. We share concern What has changed is China's stupendous economic growth since the had the honour and privilege to host the about the pressures on our oceans, inclu- “ nineties with an insatiable demand for massive oil and raw materials event in 1997 as most of us would ding the impacts of marine litter, illegal, from Africa and the Middle-East, to be necessarily routed through the Belt and remember while agreeing perhaps that unreported and unregulated fishing and cli- mate change.” Road Initiative and the Indian Ocean. It may have been one reason it leased despite the best of intentions of its Djibouti land for its first overseas military and naval base, allowing its naval founding godmothers, the IOR did not Resolving peacefully issues about ma- fleet, including aircraft carriers and, reportedly nuclear-powered submarines, to mature and flourish. ritime economic and extended zones, par- ticularly between island nations, is another. offer some patrolling capacity towards international security in trade routes so However, it is being signalled upfront as Agreeing Seychelles, Mauritius, Comoros vital to its own needs... without such naval expeditions eliciting alarm of the a rejoinder to the “narrative” being pushed and Mayotte economic maritime zones has level and toxicity being arraigned here against India, a legitimate Indian Ocean in some quarters, that somehow Bharat or perhaps been made easier sailing. country, much as Australia or South Africa...” India considers itself as some owner or Clamping down maritime piracy around the privileged proprietor or naval and military Somali area and descending down the guardian of the Indian Ocean. Whatever East African shores and strengthening fail to see any evidence that such actions claim to play a vital deterrent and defensive the geopolitical issues we have to consider regional cooperation against maritime pira- and coordination have had any effect in role in safeguarding security in the after- in this zone, such a simplistic storyline runs cy and drug trafficking has been another. preventing the Wakashio digressing from math of the Iraq-Kuwait invasion and the counter to history and simple facts. There Again, as summed up in Doha, “We under- its Southern Ocean route to head for a di- generally volatile Middle East and as a key are indeed several major countries, line our strong condemnation of terrorism saster on our coral reefs. stabilizing force for ensuring safety in the North Indian Ocean Sea Lines of Com- whether from a population or GDP stand- and extremism in all its forms and manifes- Unfortunately, then, the IOR has munication (SLOCs) in a zone through point, that border the Ocean that colonizing tations and reaffirm the solidarity of Mem- remained low profile, even though the which vital oil supplies are routed. powers termed Indian. Australia, Indonesia ber States’ in combating terrorism.” It organization is headquartered in Ebene, and Malaysia on the eastern front, South remains a threat despite the cooperation of Mauritius which also provides all the sup- It is neither a secret that France, Africa, Madagascar and our brotherly several navies operating in the region. port and secretarial staffing. But the geopo- through its overseas departments and “ter- ocean-bordering African states are neither The floods, monsoons, cyclones, earth- litical scene has evolved considerably in ritoires outre-mer” inside the Indian Ocean, mince-lings nor just pieces of cake for quakes and tsunamis to which the region's the past two decades and this may have notably Reunion, Mayotte and a string of some type of pressure politics or maritime bordering states are prone, as evidenced contributed to the fact that the shared small islands further south, has legitimate law imposed by a towering ogre, India. by several recent tragic episodes, are cer- Indian Ocean Rim concept and initiative claims to have its fleet, submarines or Narratives should not obscure facts nor run tainly still another area of greater coopera- has not fully delivered on its initial expecta- nuclear-powered aircraft carriers patrolling counter to them. tion and rapid information sharing. The tions. this Ocean, and, in particular, the pirate- infested areas off the Mozambique channel Diplomats will know better what factors Indian Ocean is a climactic and seismolo- Security in the Ocean were behind the floundering of the IOR- gic area of concern. To quote from the IOR and up the Somali coastline. ARC, but we can take note of both the website: “The year 2018 and 2019 saw It is no secret that either in 1997 or For much of our post-independence guiding intentions at birth and their rele- tsunamis and earthquakes in Indonesia, today, the USA remains the most formida- period, these two Tier-1 superpowers vance after a quarter of a century of geopo- severe droughts in Madagascar, floods and ble Western military and naval presence in (those five countries with veto power in the litical evolution. We can recall here that the landslides in India, seasonal cyclones in the Indian Ocean, most notably through its UN Security Council) have in a way pro- IOR had identified six priority areas name- the Islands of the Indian Ocean, and many Fifth fleet based in Bahrain, its military base vided the shield and umbrella under which ly: more calamities. The 2008 Super Cyclone in Djibouti known as Camp Lemonnier, most trade and maritime traffic could flou- guarding the Red Sea, and, of course, l maritime security, in Myanmar and the December 2004 rish unhampered by conflicts elsewhere. Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami through its aero-naval base in Diego Both were riverine powers through their l trade and investment facilitation, have forever been etched in public memo- Garcia, leased as we know by a UN-con- bases and possessions although France l fisheries management, ry.” In the IORA Action Plan 2017-2021, the demned subterfuge from the excision ope- only decided to join the IOR and was development of Disaster Risk Manage- rated by the British prior to our indepen- l disaster risk reduction, admitted in late 2020. ment in IORA has been given focused dence. Although, being a non-Indian l academic and scientific cooperation, direction, adds the website, although we Ocean bordering state, it had legitimate * Cont. on page 7 Qs & As Mauritius Times Tuesday, May 25, 2021 5 The Integrity Reporting Services Agency “It appears the Integrity Reporting Services Agency has so far tracked down one individual in great fanfare: Navin Ramgoolam”

l ‘Though the Agency can act on a report, that does not mean that it can or should remain passive and wait for reports from the other investigative agencies to act’

n important requirement in the fight against unexplained wealth or illicit A enrichment is the efficacy of the institution/s tasked to investigate and take action against those found culpable. The crucial point of relevance is that such an institution must be totally independent and not be subjected to the influence or control of the Executive, not even by perception. Further, too many institutions pursuing the same objective can result in confusion and overlapping of roles that affect the delivery of expected outcomes. LEX puts these issues, especially the tracking of unexplained wealth, in perspective. LEX Let us not mince words and be blunt. The removal of the DPP from the Recovery of Assets was a “ purely political move aimed at clipping the wings of the present DPP. It was not the aim of the * Snide comments have been made about the track government to strengthen the mechanism for recovery of illicit assets. Remember the Prosecution record of the Integrity Reporting Services Agency Commission Bill, that was destined to place the DPP and by extension the decision to prosecute or (IRSA), which was set up under the Good Governance not to prosecute under the Executive...” and Integrity Reporting Act 2015, and which costs the public exchequer more than Rs 30 M annually. We have weapon? Maybe individuals are being tracked and assets control over the institutions in charge of the fight two foreign nationals with undeniable experience seized, but we do not get to hear about them. Why? against corruption is strengthened? heading the Agency - Lord Phillips as Chairperson of The Integrity Reporting Board, and Paul Keyton as * During debates on the Good Governance and Let us not mince words and be blunt. The removal of director and who comes with an impressive CV. Could Integrity Reporting Bill, Paul Berenger had besides cri- the DPP from the Recovery of Assets was a purely political there be something fundamentally wrong with the sys- ticizing several measures proposed in the Bill as well move aimed at clipping the wings of the present DPP. It was tem in which the IRSA operates that does not allow it to as the amendments to the Asset Recovery (Amend- not the aim of the government to strengthen the mechanism deliver? ment) Act and the Constitution, questioned the need for recovery of illicit assets. for such a bill. His point was that our existing laws Prior to the Good Governance and Integrity Reporting Remember the Prosecution Commission Bill, that was could have been amended to fight illicit enrichment. He destined to place the DPP and by extension the decision to Act 2015 (GGIR), there already existed legislations to deal might have been right, it would seem? with illicit wealth, like the Prevention of Corruption Act 2002 prosecute or not under the Executive. Since Recovery of in the case of ICAC, and the Financial Intelligence and Anti Paul Berenger was perfectly right. The existing laws Assets has come under the purview of the FIU, we have not Money Laundering Act (FIAMLA). It would appear in the would have been enough or could have been improved with heard much about its performance on that score, unless public perception that the bodies established under these some amendments. So why create this white elephant action has been taken of which we are not aware. legislations have not been delivering. Whether this is true or called the Good Governance and Integrity Reporting Act * The IRSA may well be shielded from Executive/ not, it is for these bodies to reassure the public about their that established two bodies - the Integrity Reporting political interference, but how much can it do with a record of delivery. Services Agency and the Integrity Reporting Board? skeletal staff of apparently 4 executives - a far cry from Instead of beefing up these institutions, the Government The weakness of these and other existing institutions the team of forensic accountants, auditors, lawyers and in 2014 with the then Minister of Good Governance Roshi lies in the fact that either those at the helm are not capable former senior civil servants, as advertised by the then Bhadain in the lead decided to amend the Constitution on of delivering, as pointed out by the European Union that has Good Governance minister Roshi Bhadain when the the protection of property and enact the GGIR. What was blacklisted our financial sector, or could be at the beck and Agency was in the process of being set up in 2016? Do the aim? To track down those who cannot explain their call of the government of the day - that's at least the per- the authorities want it to succeed in its mission? wealth or sources of their wealth. ception. If after three years of existence the track record of the It appears the Integrity Reporting Services Agency, * It would seem that the tracking of illicit enrich- institutions under the GGIR have failed to deliver, one would established under the GGIR, has so far tracked down one ment/unexplained wealth was better taken care of when have expected those at the helm of these institutions to sug- individual in great fanfare when the former Prime Minister asset recovery fell under the purview of the Office of gest and advise on reforms that could be undertaken to give Navin Ramgoolam was arrested for having a substantial the DPP. But the law has since been amended to bring more powers to the GGIR institutions. You do not stay put amount of money in a safe at his place. We have not heard it under the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), which falls when the machinery is getting rusty. under the Ministry of Financial Services and Good of any other case where the Agency has acted with such * Cont. on page 11 fanfare. Why? Is the law itself - the Good Governance and Governance - that is part of the Executive. Is the public Integrity Reporting Act 2015 - being used as a political interest best served when the Executive's power of Spotlights Mauritius Times Tuesday, May 25, 2021 6 US Congressional committee passes unanimous resolution to express solidarity with India key Congressional committee on work to deliver additional, urgently needed AWednesday unanimously passed a medical supplies to India, including oxygen resolution that expressed solidarity with generator plants and cryogenic oxygen India during the Covid-19 crisis and urged tankers and containers. the Biden administration to facilitate Recognizing the efforts of the adminis- private, in-kind medical supply donations to India. tration to deliver urgently needed medical supplies and vaccine raw materials to The resolution "Recognizing the devas- India, the resolution calls on the President tating impact of Covid-19 in India and and the Secretary of State to work with expressing the sense of the House of partners around the world to quell the virus Representatives with respect to Covid everywhere it persists. assistance to India," was passed with unanimous consent by the House Foreign The resolution comes in the backdrop Affairs Committee, reports PTI. of a sustained outreach at Congress by Introduced by Congressman Brad India's Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Sherman and Steve Chabot, the two Singh Sandhu, and senior Indian diplo- Co-Chairs of the Congressional India mats. Introduced by Congressman Brad Sherman and Steve Chabot, the two Co-Chairs of the Caucus, the resolution has 24 co-sponsors Congressional India Caucus, the resolution has 24 co-sponsors including 13 members of the Among top American Senators who including 13 members of the House House Foreign Affairs Committee. Pic - Reuters have come out in support of India are Dick Foreign Affairs Committee. Durbin, John Cornyn, Mark Warner, Bob far to help other countries with Covid-19 Indian-American community in response to Menendez, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie The resolution recognizes the help vaccines. the situation in India, the resolution urges Sanders, Jeff Merkley, Ed Markey, Jim offered by India to the US in the early part the administration to facilitate private, in- Commending the response of the Risch, Dianne Feinstein, Chris Van Hollen, of the pandemic, India's important global kind medical supply donations to India and role in vaccine production and its efforts so administration, private sector and the Cory Booker, Amy Klobuchar, Gary Peters.

Canadian Tamil Congress. "The worldwide First ever chair of Tamil community is interested in both ancient and modern Tamil literature. There are also Tamil studies to be expectations that the Tamil chair will include interdisciplinary studies, cultural studies, established at a classics, sociology, political science, anthropo- logy, geography, linguistics, literature and fine Canadian university arts. We expect there will be teaching and research in these areas," he said. he Canadian city of Toronto will be the Ilangko pointed out that Tamil is among the venue for the first ever chair in Tamil studies T oldest surviving classical languages with a tra- The UK Home Secretary will announce the plans in parliament today as part of a wider to be established at a university in the country. overhaul of the country's immigration system. Pic - Reuters dition that is more than 2,000 years old. It is The project, launched by University of was quoted as saying in the also a modern language spoken by over 80 mil- UK home secretary Toronto along with Canada-based Tamil groups lion people in numerous countries. 'Observer'. in 2018, is now a reality with sufficient funds UTSC principal Tettey felt that institutiona- "Our new approach will make it having been raised to endow the position that Priti Patel to unveil lising Tamil studies will attract those even easier to identify potential threats will be located at the university's US-style digital before they reach the border. The Scarborough campus. British people will have confidence Canada has the largest Tamil visas to 'count' that the strongest controls are in population outside the Indian place to keep them safe," she said. subcontinent, numbering over migrants The UK Home Office hopes to 300,000 and with roots in India, make entry to the UK fully digital by Sri Lanka, and other nations such K Home Secretary Priti Patel is the end of 2025. as Singapore and Malaysia. Uset to unveil a new US-style It means people wanting to come The chair will foster scholar- digital visa regime at the country's into the UK without a visa or immi- ship and research into the lan- borders in order to measure immigra- gration status will have to apply for an guage and as well as its cultural tion levels in and out of the country, Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), aspects. according to UK media reports on The groups that participated similar to the US system, with 30 A performance during Tamil heritage celebrations at University Sunday. million applications expected to be in the initiative included of Toronto's Scarborough campus in 2019. Pic - UTSC The senior Indian-origin Cabinet processed every year. Canadian Tamil Congress and minister is to confirm the so-called As well as launching her latest Tamil Chair Inc, and among its supporters was beyond the Tamil community. "Tamil studies "sweeping changes" to the UK's immigration plans, Patel will also the government of the Indian state of Tamil have different components - from language immigration policy to "streamline" the focus on failings in the asylum Nadu. studies, to history and culture. As an institution way in which people come into the system and the need to crack down A total of $3 million has been raised for the with a global remit and perspective, the interest country on Monday, reports PTI. on people smugglers. Earlier in the endowment to begin the process of formalising will be from a wide range of people around the The post-Brexit changes will week, she was filmed accompanying the programme. world with different motivations," said Tettey. include the border being managed police as they arrested suspected Wisdom J Tettey, principal of University of "The chair's work in the context of Toronto, digitally, which the government says ringleaders of a people smuggling Toronto's Scarborough campus (UTSC) told HT which has a huge community of Tamil origin will be easier to navigate for busi- gang that used minicab and lorry that the university will now embark on a global with global connections, will support our vision nesses and allow for the first time to drivers to move migrants in and out of search to appoint the chair. of inspiring inclusive academic excellence and accurately count people in and out of the UK. He said they will seek an "outstanding repu- enriching our multicultural society by studying, the UK. The British government has said tation and who can undertake research and promoting, and sustaining Tamil culture and heritage around the world," the UTSC principal "Our new fully digital border will that in the past 10 days, more than connect with the community in ways that ensure said. provide the ability to count people in 140 foreign criminals have been co-learning and reciprocal interaction". and out of the country, giving us con- removed from the UK, totalling more Among those who welcomed the move was trol over who comes to the UK," Patel than 700 so far this year. accountant Sivan Ilangko, also president of * Contd on page 7 Spotlights Mauritius Times Tuesday, May 25, 2021 7 US waiting to see if Geopolitical Arena of North Korea wants to engage in diplomacy the Indian Ocean .S. Secretary of State Antony UBlinken said on Sunday the * Cont. from page 4 United States is waiting to see if What has changed is China's stupendous economic North Korea wants to engage in diplo- growth since the nineties with an insatiable demand for macy over the denuclearization of the massive oil and raw materials from Africa and the Middle- Korean peninsula. East, to be necessarily routed through the Belt and Road U.S. President Joe Biden and Initiative and the Indian Ocean. That is the core of Chinese South Korean President Moon Jae-in anxiety: that its economic powerhouse might be throttled up on Friday injected fresh urgency into by any other superpower through its exposure to the SLOC attempts to engage North Korea in in northern Indian Ocean. It may have been one reason it US President Joe Biden on Friday said he would meet North Korean leader leased Djibouti land for its first overseas military and naval dialogue over its nuclear weapons, Kim Jong Un under the right conditions. Pic - Reuters with Biden saying he would meet its base, allowing its naval fleet, including aircraft carriers and, leader Kim Jong Un under the right program. "The ball is in their court." North Korea has rebuffed U.S. reportedly nuclear-powered submarines, to offer some patrolling capacity towards international security in trade conditions. "The best chance we have to entreaties for diplomacy since Biden took over from Donald Trump, who routes so vital to its own needs. The base was officially "We are waiting to see if achieve the objective of total denu- launched around September 2017. Pyongyang actually wants to clearization of the Korean peninsula had three summits with Kim and engage," Blinken said on ABC's "This is to engage diplomatically with North famously exchanged "beautiful let- ters" with the third-generation leader. It is no secret that either in 1997 or today, the USA Week with George Stephanopoulos" Korea," Blinken said. “ remains the most formidable Western military and naval presence in the Indian Ocean, most notably through its "We have informed the Trump Organisation that our Fifth fleet based in Bahrain, its military base in Djibouti investigation into the organisation is no longer purely civil known as Camp Lemonnier, guarding the Red Sea, and, of in nature," said Fabien Levy, a spokesman for the attorney course, through its aero-naval base in Diego Garcia... It is general's office. "We are now actively investigating the Trump Organisation in a criminal capacity, along with the neither a secret that France, through its overseas Manhattan DA." For two years, the civil investigation has departments and “territoires outre-mer” inside the Indian been probing whether the Trump Organisation manipula- Ocean, notably Reunion, Mayotte and a string of small ted property values to secure loans and obtain economic islands further south, has legitimate claims to have its fleet, and tax benefits. submarines or nuclear-powered aircraft carriers * * * patrolling this Ocean..."

New York AG's office opens criminal probe into Trump Holidaymakers in the UK are set Organization. Pic - NBC News to defy government orders NY Attorney General's Office Millions of holidaymakers in the UK are set to defy government orders not to travel to "amber list" countries "actively investigating Trump despite warnings that trips should only be made in excep- tional circumstances, reports The Independent. Boris Organisation in a criminal Johnson has been told to expect a flood of bookings if the capacity" EU opens its doors to fully vaccinated Britons without the need for Covid-19 tests or quarantine - a decision expec- he New York Attorney General's Office has said it is ted this week - amid mounting confusion over the rules. It is worth noting that China is the only power which is expanding its civil probe into former President Donald T The Independent calculates 5 million UK holiday entirely non-bordering of the Indian Ocean without such Trump's business empire and that it is now "actively inves- makers are booked to travel abroad to "amber list" desti- naval expeditions eliciting alarm of the level and toxicity tigating the Trump Organisation in a criminal capacity". nations for the summer, which includes France, Greece, being arraigned here against India, a legitimate Indian Attorney general Letitia James's office, which was already Spain and other holiday hotspots. The British travel Ocean country, much as Australia or South Africa. conducting a civil investigation of Mr Trump's company, industry has already reported a boom in bookings China, India and traditional allies in the IOR or wider in suggested that the probe is in conjunction with an following the lifting of restrictions on international travel Europe, remain essential to our security and development. ongoing criminal investigation on him by the office of that came into effect on Monday. They are indispensable partners if we are really intent on Manhattan district attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. maximizing opportunities offered by the Blue Economy or manage and safeguard the security and defense of our vast Israel reopens borders to small groups of foreign tourists expanse of territorial waters. However, it should be understood that friends and allies understand each other's srael reopened its borders to Sunday's target date for starting the conditions. sovereign concerns, and this in itself pleads for far greater Iforeign tourists on Sunday after a plan. Israeli authorities believe that transparency in our government's dealings with India over fall in Covid-19 infections but said it Tourism in 2019 hit a record high initially limiting tourism to small Agalega. The PM's answers in Parliament are reassuring: would take time for visitors to start of 4.55 million visitors, contributing 23 groups is the best way to monitor and No military base, no long-term lease and a PMO control arriving and to revive the tourism billion shekels ($7.1 billion) to Israel's contain the spread of Covid-19, over all operations, but they sound standard, perfunctory industry. economy, mainly via small and mid- especially new variants. The plan is and extracted. Secrecy and confidentiality ends up being Under an easing of coronavirus sized businesses. to boost the number of groups in the object of amalgamation, accusations and suspicions on restrictions, the government went June and allow individual tourists to real motives. Under a pilot programme due to ahead with a plan to start letting in start visiting in July. The league of India-bashers, some of whom haunt our continue until June 15, Israel gave small groups of tourists from coun- Visitors will need to show negative shores, we suspect will continue to fret. But secrecy has the green light to visits by 20 groups tries using vaccines it has approved. PCR tests before flying and to under- given it fuel and it continues to blur the larger picture of what of between 5 and 30 tourists from Foreign airlines are also resuming go further tests on arrival. should have been a cardinal meeting of both Mauritius and countries including the United States, flights they suspended when Israel has fully vaccinated about India needs in common maritime security enabling peaceful Britain and Germany. Palestinian militants began rocket 55% of its population and Covid-19 development of our outer islands and our potential in the attacks on Israel this month. A cease- Another 20 groups were chosen cases have dropped sharply. future prospects of the Blue Economy. fire has now halted the fighting, to be on standby if any of the first 20 Jan Arden helping the government meet tour operators did not meet Israel's Compiled by Doojesh Ramlallah Social Media Mauritius Times Tuesday, May 25, 2021 8 TikTok and geopolitics: how ‘digital nationalism’ threatens to entrench big tech If we want to decentralise power online, governments will have to overcome their nationalistic impulses.

da articulated by others within the administration. On June 24, 2020, US national security advisor Robert O’Brien spoke publicly on the topic of the Chinese government’s “ideology and global ambitions”. He warned China posed a threat to US citizens and explicit- ly implicated TikTok. Two weeks later, on July 6, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo suggested TikTok should be treated like Huawei, the Chinese telecommunications company that is effectively banned in the US. Joanne Gray On July 31, 2020, Trump announced he was planning Queensland University to ban TikTok. of Technology Several days later, Microsoft released a statement explaining that its representatives had spoken to Trump directly regarding the acquisition of TikTok. When ques- he massive digital tioned about his talks with Microsoft, Trump stated: platform market Thas until recently […] it can’t be controlled, for security reasons, been dominated by a by China. Too big, too invasive, and it can’t be. handful of US-based com- panies such as Facebook Protesters in America opposed the planned TikTok ban. Pic - STRF/STAR MAX/IPx/AP On August 5, 2020, the US Department of State and Google. However, as announced an expansion of its Clean Network program, government had intercepted TikTok data. foreign governments and competing platforms try to which has the stated objective of “guarding our citizens’ erode this domination, platforms are becoming a new TikTok’s Chinese origins can be used to oversimplify privacy and our companies’ most sensitive information sphere of geopolitical manoeuvring. the platform’s actual territorial connection to China. from aggressive intrusions by malign actors, such as the The European Union wants to gain more control over ByteDance was founded in China but it is incorporated in Chinese Communist Party”. the Cayman Islands and operates as a multinational with international tech companies and achieve more inde- Expansions to the program included five policies subsidiaries in Australia, the US, the UK and Singapore. pendence in the digital arena. India has banned 177 aimed at reducing the presence of China in the US. Chinese apps on the grounds they are “prejudicial to the Platform geopolitics These policies limited the use of Chinese telecommuni- sovereignty and integrity of India”. The backdrop to Trump’s stance towards TikTok was cation carriers, applications sold in app stores and pre- And in 2020, the then US President Donald Trump an intensifying contest between the US and China over installed on devices, cloud services and undersea spent months attempting to ban the Chinese-made the strategic value of the digital environment. Who gets to cables. video-sharing platform TikTok or force its sale to an extract economic value from the platform economy? Who The following day, Trump issued an executive order American owner. While some claimed Trump was piqued gets to exert ideological influence through vast socio- forcing the sale of TikTok to a US company on the by a supposed prank against him by teenage TikTok technical systems? Who enjoys strategic advantages grounds that TikTok posed a threat to “the national secu- users, a look at statements from US government officials from control over and access to data and infrastructure? rity, foreign policy, and economy of the United States”. over the course of the year shows geopolitical concerns were the main driver. As today’s global tech platforms have developed, they Ultimately Trump’s executive orders were blocked in have largely mirrored the shape of classical geopolitics: the courts and the ban and forced sale never imple- If governments are continuing to be driven by “digital the US has dominated. Recently, however, Chinese tech- mented. nationalism”, the US-based big tech companies are like- nology firms have flourished, expanding China’s eco- ly to continue to dominate. nomic and strategic capacities. The rise of digital nationalism TikTok is the first major non-US platform Trump’s TikTok challenge TikTok provides welcomed competition to the platform TikTok is the first social media platform born outside incumbents. If real competition in the sector were to TikTok teens may have successfully pranked Trump, increase, requiring the incumbent platforms to compete the United States to become a significant rival to Silicon but his actions and rhetoric fit within a geopolitical agen- Valley incumbents such as Facebook and Instagram. The for users, we might see further innovations in the platform short-form video platform rose to prominence in 2019 market and a less concentrated tech sector. and, by early 2020, was the most downloaded app glo- So far, however, the US government has explicitly bally. focused on the geopolitical implications of the rise of a Since its rise, TikTok has come under intense criticism Chinese platform. Whether the Biden administration will from governments around the world, who question continue this approach remains to be seen. whether ByteDance, the company that owns TikTok, suf- Both the US and China have a long history of shiel- ficiently protects users’ data against access by the ding strategically important industries. For those con- Chinese state. cerned with increasing competition and diluting the con- However, the way TikTok treats user data is not very centrated power of the dominant technology firms, the different from what its US counterparts do. There is little rise of digital nationalism is a new obstacle. to suggest the platform poses any singular national secu- Moving forward, policymakers may need to overcome rity threat. nationalistic impulses if they are to increase global com- The company releases transparency reports similar to petition in the international platform market. And both US those of Google and Facebook. A CIA assessment and Chinese rule must be rejected if we are to decen- reportedly concluded there was no evidence the Chinese Pic - micky.com.au tralise power within the digital environment. Media Cover-up Mauritius Times Tuesday, May 25, 2021 9 BBC Diana 'cover up' - why Lord Dyson's report is a body blow for broadcaster Critics of the UK's public broadcaster will be sharpening their knives over the latest scandal error. Owning up Given its scale, ambition and age, the BBC's major errors are not numerous. It worked too closely with the government during the General Strike of 1926. Panorama's 1984 documentary "Maggie's Militant Tendency" claimed Conservative MPs had links to far-right organisations and cost the BBC £290,000 in damages and costs. Tim Luckhurst BBC reporting of the US bombing raid Principal of South College, on Libya in 1986 created fresh tension with Durham University Margaret Thatcher's government. More recently, the Jimmy Savile sexual abuse he BBC is among Britain's most scandal inflicted deep wounds. George Tvaluable cultural exports, representing Entwistle resigned as director general soft power at its most effective. following Newsnight's false implication that Newcomers including Netflix and Amazon Lord McAlpine had been involved in the have deeper pockets, but the BBC has set abuse of children at Bryn Estyn children's Martin Bashir’s interview with Diana, Princess of Wales was watched by millions when it aired in 1995 enduring standards in British radio and home in Wales. television production. Executives at Sky, Prince Charles. She admitted having an than existed in 1995. Today, the BBC's humiliation coincides ITV and Channel 4 acknowledge its role as affair herself and explained that Charles' Those of us who retain our affection with acute hostility from Boris Johnson's a benchmark that has enhanced the affair with Camilla Parker Bowles (now his reputation of British broadcasting. Long a and respect for the BBC will hope he is Conservative government. The Financial wife, the Duchess of Cornwall) had made proved right - not least because the BBC's Times reports that an influential group of trusted source of news for the discerning, her feel worthless. it has a global reputation for accuracy and critics and foes are circling. Their argu- authors, academics and film producers honesty. Falling short ments have been strengthened by this believes a government advisory panel may most deplorable mistake and by the regret- The interview provoked enormous recommend substantial cuts in the BBC's So, we should not be astonished that table fact that it has gone uncorrected for debate and controversy. I was a BBC income. the BBC is ridden with intense angst about much longer than was necessary. editor in 1995. I believed that a flagship Lord Dyson's report into the corporation's Newspapers, notably the Sunday Times, Intense competition from wealthy programme transmitting such a significant now infamous interview with Princess the Daily Mail and the Mail on Sunday, streaming services that have secured story must have checked and checked Diana, in which she detailed the break- drew attention to the allegations that have loyalty from young viewers increases the again the accuracy and integrity of its jour- down of her marriage to the Prince of now been shown to be correct. BBC's vulnerability. It needs friends today Wales. The report found that the BBC's nalism. The real shock at the core of the Such watchdog reporting by others more than it has needed them at any time reporter, Martin Bashir, "used deceitful Dyson report, is that it had not. Still worse, in its history. Enemies are circling - and the behaviour" to obtain the interview, and the BBC had not compelled it to do so. also identified the sad truth that BBC managers were more concerned about Dyson report has added blood to the that the BBC knowingly "covered up" Bashir got away with his schoolboy having whistleblowers than in investigating water. The BBC cannot afford to alienate what it subsequently learned about this trick, in part, because his editor, the late their evidence. Such failure may now its friends with any further evidence that its behaviour. Steve Hewlett, wanted his reporter's story mean that the BBC will be more extensive- journalism, the jewel in its crown, is less to happen. That said, Dyson's report cate- The process whereby Bashir, then a ly harmed than by any previous editorial than entirely reliable. reporter for the Panorama documentary gorically cleared Hewlett from the subse- series, got the interview every competitor quent cover-up, writing that "his writ did wanted was a mystery when it aired in not run beyond the programme" and that Commerce Division Staff 3. Statement by Auditor 1995. It is a scandal now that Lord Dyson, his wife, Rachel Crellin had offered "a 4. Approval of expenditures and refund a senior retired judge, has found that the detailed and strong response" to accusa- Welfare Association of members where necessary 5. Election of new managing committee corporation "fell short of the high standards tions that he was aware or involved in Level 2, SICOM Tower, Wall Street, 6. Change of name of association of integrity and transparency which are its Bashir's behaviour. Ebène Cybercity, Ebène 72201 hallmark". 7. AOB Tony Hall, meanwhile - the BBC's Tel No: 460 2500 It is now established as fact that Bashir director of news at the time, subsequently In strict observation of sanitary commissioned fake bank statements and director general - gave Bashir the benefit Registration Number: 15733 protocols, a limited number of members showed them to Diana's brother, Earl of the doubt. Now Lord Hall, he has will be able to attend the meeting Spencer, in order to secure his trust and acknowledged that his 1996 internal Notice is hereby given that the Annual physically. The Secretary shall provide gain access to his sister. That Bashir sub- inquiry that cleared both Bashir and General Meeting of members for the the Zoom login details to members in due sequently lied to his employer does not Panorama "fell well short of what was above association will be held on course. mean that blame attaches to him alone. required". Lord Dyson puts it more bluntly. Wednesday 09 June 2021 at 12.00 hrs This is a very dark day for the corporation, He says that investigation was "woefully Members interested to form part of in the Conference Room, Level 2, not just for one disgraced former reporter. ineffective". the managing committee should send SICOM Tower, Ebene via the Zoom their letter of candidature through Princess Diana's appearance on It is to the BBC's credit that is has Platform. registered post to the Secretary on the Panorama was a colossal coup for the pro- accepted the Dyson Report unreservedly. above address at latest by Tuesday 08 gramme and, ostensibly, for the BBC. Tim Davie, the director general, adds that Agenda: June 2021. More than 20 million viewers watched it on it should have made "a greater effort to get transmission. Many more saw it later. It to the bottom of what happened at the 1. Welcome address by the Ag. President N. Jeetun was the moment when Diana spoke of time". He confirms that it now has "signifi- 2. Treasurer's Report Secretary 21 May 2021 there being "three of us" in her marriage to cantly better processes and procedures" History Mauritius Times Tuesday, May 25, 2021 10 From the Pages of History - MT 60 Years Ago 4th Year No 163 MAURITIUS TIMES Friday 20 September 1957 l Our deeds determine us, as much as we determine our deeds. -- George Eliot Revision of The Education Code vide for parents of non-Christian children to be able to withdraw their children from the periods of denominational religious instruction, and to withdraw their children from the annual examination, of course. This power of withdrawal exists in the UK, of course, for the Education Act of 1944 expressly states (remember that in the UK a "county school" corresponds to a Go- Peter Ibbotson vernment school in Mauritius, and a "vo- luntary school" corresponds to an Aided school) that "If the parent of any pupil in he current revision attendance at any county school or any of the Education voluntary school requests that he be whol- TCode affords the ly or partly excused from attendance at opportunity for justice to be religious worship in the school, or from done to the teachers of attendance at religious instruction in the Mauritius. As a matter of school, or from attendance at both reli- equity and principle, all gious worship and religious instruction in teachers should enjoy the the school, then, until the request is with- same conditions of service and the same to head teacher; but their colleagues in the the Education Department and the opportunities, whether they teach in a Government schools, perhaps junior as Education authorities; the Public Service drawn, the pupil shall be excused from Government or an Aided school. regards seniority and perhaps also less Commission Interviews Government such attendance accordingly." At present there are 76 Aided schools: efficient teachers, have not so long to wait teachers seeking promotion, and the Where a pupil is withdrawn from reli- 52 Roman Catholic, 17 Church of for promotion. There are teachers in the Education Authorities Promotion Board gious instruction, he can (providing certain England, 5 Hindu and 2 Muslim. That Muslim schools with over 25 years service sees Aided school teachers due for pro- conditions are fulfilled) be excused from means there can be only 76 head teach- who are stagnating; promotion is passing motion. There should be a common pro- the school during such periods as are rea- ers; and the present policy of the them by. At the same time, there are motion list, drawn up and handled by the sonably necessary for purpose of enabling Government prevents the Education Government primary school teachers who Public Service Commission, a body whose him to receive religious instruction of a Authorities from building any new schools. have been promoted First Class teachers impartiality is respected by teachers and kind acceptable to his parents. after only 7 years' experience. public alike. So the number of head teachers in Aided Such a provision in the new Education schools is fixed at this total of 76. Teachers are governed by the same Another facet of education in the Aided Code would satisfy the parents of those Only the Government can build new Government Orders as regards pay, leave, schools also deserves attention in the revi- non-Christian children who for any reason primary schools. A big (and let me remind sickness, pension, discipline, etc. Why on sion of the Education Code - the matter of attend a Christian school where religious readers, long overdue) programme of earth cannot they also be governed by the religious instruction. At present, all children instruction of a particular Christian deno- attending Church of England primary expansion in educational building is under same orders as regards promotion? mination is compulsory. way. That means the number of schools have to undergo religious instruc- The Education Code, when it is being I have known personally of the right of Government school head teachers will tion according to the tenets of the Church revised, ought to try and settle the discon- withdrawal being exercised by Catholic steadily rise as new schools are opened. of England. All children - whether Chris- tent that is rife among the primary school parents whose child attended a county The Government Gazette announced on tian, Hindu or Muslim. There is a syllabus teachers; especially among those who, not school, by Jewish parents of children June 29 that from July 1, the establishment of instruction and an annual examination. having been sponsored by the Education The examination consists of two parts: attending county schools, and by Metho- of Government school head teachers authorities, have none the less been would be raised to 109, and this number is written and oral, and all pupils must sit this dist parents of children attending Church posted to teach in Aided schools. Many of examination. The new Code should pro- of England schools. provided for in the Estimates 1957-58 (see such teachers are asking to opt for Aided Appendix E) as against 95 the year before. status; they can surely be afforded justice The same Gazette announced the without having to take this drastic step. increase from 190 to 226 in the establish- ment of First Class teachers in Govern- I suggest that the new Code should ment schools; while from 1956-57 to 1957- provide for the best teachers, irrespective 58, the establishment of Second Class of the type of school (Aided or teachers has gone up from 874 to 1090, Government) in which they teach to be and the establishment of Third Class promoted. The corollary would be for a teachers from 425 to 566. Yet the total safeguard that teachers would not be increase in the staffs of the Aided primary posted to a school where the Education schools is only 9 - from 1133 to 1142. Authority had objection on religious grounds. Such a scheme would help to In other words, increased opportunity unify a profession which is still disunited for promotion is given to teachers in despite the efforts of the Primary Teacher's Government primary schools, while for Union to awaken its members' conscious- Aided primary school teachers the status quo is maintained. Naturally, this is leading ness to the need for one united profession. to much dissension among Aided school Another advantage would be the elimi- teachers. They have to wait long years for nation of the dual handling of teachers for promotion to First Class teacher and then promotion; at present there is handling by Qs & As Mauritius Times Tuesday, May 25, 2021 11 The Integrity Reporting Services Agency “It appears the Integrity Reporting Services Agency has so far tracked down one individual in great fanfare: Navin Ramgoolam”

* Cont. from page 5 them and at times there may be an overlapping of powers. * We have lately seen the IRSA take the unusual The taskforce, if ever it came into existence, is either dor- route of dragging another State institution - the ICAC - mant and may wake up when it would be too late. Or, it to court for allegedly failing to fulfil its statutory obliga- could even be as extinct as the Dodo. tions, as prescribed by the law, to submit detailed * Notwithstanding the IRSA's court action, the reports instead of summary notes on suspected cases Good Governance and Integrity Reporting Act 2015 of unexplained wealth. Does this point to a breakdown allows for the Agency ''to investigate on its own initia- in the system put in place to fight fraud and corruption, tive'' cases of unexplained wealth. It appears there is a or don't we want the IRSA to fulfil its duties? huge underground economy lying down there. Does it Under the GGIR the Board can request another agency seem that we are being able to grapple with this parti- to investigate. It appears that the ICAC true to its image has cular issue? not lived up to the expectations of the GGIR, hence the It is clear that the Agency can take the initiative to court case. But it must be added that the Agency has wide require a person to furnish particulars of his assets. Though powers under the GGIR. If after three years of existence the track record of the institutions under the GGIR have failed the Agency can act on a report, that does not mean that it * One wonders how the EU, which has blacklisted “ can or should remain passive and wait for reports from the to deliver, one would have expected those at the helm the Mauritius jurisdiction, would react to the fact that other investigative agencies to act. the IRSA has had to apply to the court in the tussle with of the institutions to suggest and advise on reforms ICAC? that could be undertaken to give more powers to the * The leader of the Labour Party has challenged the Good Governance and Integrity Reporting Act and the All this will not look well in the eyes of the European GGIR institutions. You do not stay put when the constitutional amendments preceding the introduction Union and this may delay our removal from the blacklist. machinery is getting rusty...” of the law on the ground that this would violate the Ghana also was having issues with the EU, and surely it has taken corrective measures to the satisfaction of the EU principle of the separation of powers between the ruption or drug trafficking. Does it also explain why we Executive, the Parliament and the Judiciary. Is he which explains the removal of this country from the black- have not heard much from the taskforce, set up in the list. In Mauritius, we hear every day that corrective mea- right? wake of the Lam Sham Leen Drug Commission report, sures are being taken or will be taken. It appears that these It will be for the Supreme Court to determine whether which was mandated to adopt a coordinated approach so-called correctives have not had any impact on the EU so Navin Ramgoolam is right or not. But nothing prevented him with a view to implementing the measures recom- far. from challenging the constitutionality of the legislation. The mended by the Commission? * There seems to be a problem of effective - or even right of any citizen to challenge the constitutionality of a resistance to - collaboration between investigative That's the difficulty when too many institutions are pur- piece of legislation is guaranteed by the Constitution. agencies operating in the fight against fraud and cor- suing the same objective. The same powers are wielded by LEX

change opinions even on important sub- jects, which I once thought right, but found Talking politics in 2021: Lessons on humility and to be otherwise.” “It is therefore that the older I grow,” he added, “the more apt I am to doubt my truth-seeking from Benjamin Franklin own judgment, and to pay more respect to the judgment of others.”

* Cont. from page 2 Today, scientists have shown that peo- dren in their ability to learn. Near the end of the speech, he implored others to adopt this same humi- “Wherein consists the Happiness of a ple are susceptible to mere exposure He wound up changing not only his rational Creature?” effect, a preference for information we mind but also his essay when he reprinted lity: “On the whole, Sir, I cannot help ex- The goal of these discussions, as have encountered multiple times and con- it almost two decades later, changing the pressing a wish that every member of the Franklin explained, was not victory – as it firmation bias, an inclination toward infor- passage that said that most slaves were Convention who may still have objections apparently had been for Franklin and his mation that aligns with a person’s current thieves “by Nature” to say that they were to it, would with me, on this occasion friend years earlier – but something far beliefs. In an essay he published in the thieves because of slavery. doubt a little of his own infallibility, and to more valuable for all concerned. Franklin 1730s, Franklin wrote of the effect of make manifest our unanimity, put his Near the end of his life, Franklin explained that the discussions were to “Prevailing Opinions” on the individual name to this instrument.” became president of the Pennsylvania take place “in the sincere Spirit of Enquiry mind and observed, “A Man can hardly Society for Promoting the Abolition of As these words and experience testify, after Truth, without fondness for Dispute, forbear wishing those Things to be true Slavery and submitted to Congress a peti- political polarization and dispute are no- or Desire of Victory.” Anyone who spoke and right, which he apprehends would be tion to abolish slavery and end the slave thing new. But Franklin managed to rise too confidently or contentiously had to pay for his Conveniency to find so.” He added, trade. above the discord, biases and close-min- a small fine. “That Man only, who is ready to change dedness that are common in any era. This preference for pursuing truth over his Mind upon proper Conviction, is in the ‘Obliged by better information … He spoke and wrote in ways that, if seeking victory found expression in a Way to come at the Knowledge of Truth.” to change opinions’ taken up now, could begin to erode the question that initiates were required to Franklin lived up to this principle. In At the Constitutional Convention of polarization of the current era: with mo- answer: “Do you love and pursue truth for 1751, he published an essay expressing 1787, Franklin expressed his belief in desty, diffidence, sincere consideration of its own sake?” Franklin did, and the reprehensible, racist views that were all intellectual humility. As James Madison others’ positions, doubt in his own infalli- results speak for themselves. too common in his era. Years later, how- recorded his words, Franklin said, “For bility and love of truth for its own sake. Franklin also had a prescient under- ever, he helped found schools to educate having lived long, I have experienced standing of biases that color humans’ black children and, after visiting one, saw many instances of being obliged by better understanding of reality. that the students were equal to white chil- information, or fuller consideration, to Mark Canada - Indiana University Wellness Mauritius Times Tuesday, May 25, 2021 12 Thirty minutes' exercise won't counteract sitting all day, but adding light movement can help - new research Choosing the right "cocktail" of light activity, exercise and sitting, can improve health and decrease risk of premature death sit for eight hours or more a day. But when Sebastien Chastin you get home, exercising for one hour and Professor Health Behaviour Dynamics doing light activities for a few hours in the of People, Places and Systems, evening (such as housework or yard work) Glasgow Caledonian University could still yield health benefits. If you're a stay-at-home parent who's typically too Keith Diaz busy to get to the gym, moving around Assistant Professor of Behavioral throughout the day while doing essential tasks (such as playing with the kids or Medicine, Columbia University putting away groceries) can also improve Medical Center your health. t's recommended we do at least 30 The caveat, however, is that our study Iminutes of exercise a day - or 150 found that six minutes of light activity was minutes a week - to stay healthy. But 30 equivalent to one minute of moderate to minutes accounts for just 2% of the day. intense exercise. So you would need to do And many of us spend most of the rest of early death by up to 80% for those who spend around ten hours a day sitting. They three hours of light activity to yield the the time sitting. also spent less than seven hours a day would have the same risk of death as same benefit as 30 minutes of exercise. Research shows that sitting can be bad sitting. But it didn't have the same effect for someone who exercised 55 minutes daily, While our study adds important new for our health in many ways - with some people who spent between 11 and 12 moved throughout the day for about four insights about the ideal balance of move- even suggesting it's as bad for us as hours a day sitting. In other words, it's not hours, and sat for about 11 hours. In other ment, we are missing one ingredient: smoking. And our new study has revealed as simple as checking off the exercise box words, different combinations of exercise sleep. It's unclear if the health benefits of that 30 minutes of daily exercise is not on the to-do list. A healthy lifestyle requires and movement can be used to offset the exercise and movement are the same if enough to overcome the health risks of more than 30 minutes of exercise if you harms of sitting. you don't get enough sleep. As well, key sitting too much. But we also revealed that spend a lot of time sitting. questions on how to spend your day - like with the right balance of time spent Personalised recommendations For those who sat a lot, 30 minutes of whether you should wake up 30 minutes exercising and moving, it may be possible daily exercise would only lower risk of Our findings provide new insights on earlier to exercise - still need to be studied. to counteract the negatives of sitting. what constitutes a healthy and active early death by 30% if combined with four to Ultimately, our findings show that a lifestyle. For decades, scientists have We combined data from six different five hours of light movement a day (such healthy and active lifestyle is more than studied the health benefits of exercise - but studies from the UK, US and Sweden, as shopping, cooking, or yard work) - just exercising for 30 minutes, and that this research has largely ignored the fact looking at a total of over 130,000 adults. spending less than 11 hours sitting total. there are many different ways of achieving that how you spend the rest of the day also Each of the studies used a physical We can think of this mixture of light activi- better health and longevity. While exercise matters. Instead of the recommendation activity monitor (like a Fitbit) to measure a ty, exercise and sitting as a "cocktail". And still provides the best "bang for your buck" person's movements and sitting time that everyone should strive to achieve 30 when it comes to living an active lifestyle, in terms of the amount of time required, throughout the day. Each study then minutes of daily exercise, our results show there are different recipes you can choose our findings are still good news for people followed the participants for an average of to to get the same benefits. physical activity recommendations can who may not have the time, ability or four to 14 years to track whether any been more personalised. People can For example, one person might exer- desire to exercise. The road to an active participants died. adopt a mixture of activity that works best cise daily for 30 minutes, move throughout lifestyle is more accessible and achievable As expected, we found that 30 minutes the day for about six hours doing activities for them. than we thought - and is not just for gym of daily exercise decreased the risk of like housework or walking to work, but For many of us, our jobs require us to regulars. Life's Lessons He sat there quietly, and the expected plea for money Those three little words still ring in my ears till today. never came. No matter how much you have, no matter how much Don't we all? As the silence between us widened, something inside you have accomplished, you need help too. me said, "Ask him if he needs any help." No matter how little you have, no matter how loaded parked in front of the mall sitting inside my car waiting I was sure that he would say "yes", but I held true to you are with problems, you can give help. Ifor my son to get few items from the supermarket. the inner voice. Even if it's just a compliment, you can give that. "Do you need any help?" I asked. Coming my way from across the parking lot was what You never know when you may see someone that the society would consider a tramp. He answered in three simple but profound words that appears to have it all. They are waiting on you to give I shall never forget. From his looks, he had no car, no home, no clean them what they don't have: A different perspective on life. clothes, and no money. There are times when you feel We often look for wisdom in great men and women A glimpse at something beautiful. A respite from daily and we expect it from those of higher learning and generous but there are other times that you are just not chaos, that only you through a torn world can see. in the mood and don't want to be bothered. accomplishments. I expected nothing but an outstretched Maybe the man was just a homeless stranger This was one of those "don't want to be bothered grimy hand. wandering the streets. Maybe he was more than that. times." He spoke the three words that shook me. Maybe he was sent by a power that is great and wise, to "I hope he doesn't ask me for any money," I thought. "Don't we all?" he said. minister to a soul too comfortable in themselves. He didn't. He came and sat on the curb nearby but he I was feeling high and mighty, successful and impor- Maybe God looked down, called an Angel, dressed didn't look like he could have enough money to even get tant, until those three words hit me like a twelve-gauge a good meal. shotgun. him like a tramp, then said, "Go minister to that man inside the car, that man needs help." After a few minutes, he spoke. "That's a very nice car, Don't we all? you got there" he said. I needed help. Maybe not for bus fare or a place to Don't we all? He was ragged but he had an air of dignity around sleep, but I needed help. Help somebody, you are only a custodian of him. I reached in my wallet and gave him not only enough whatever you possess. I said, "thanks," and continued listening to the car for bus fare, but enough to get a warm meal and few We come; we go; the in-between defines who we truly radio. other things for the day. are. Unwind Mauritius Times Tuesday, May 25, 2021 13

with a very strange-looking animal, a length. Dachshund that was 10 feet long! It's like a human jumping the length of Everyone at the dogfight arena felt sorry a football field. for the Israelis. No one there seriously thought this weird, odd-looking animal The catfish has over 27,000 taste stood any chance against the growling buds. French beast. All the bookies took one What could be so tasty on the bottom look and predicted that the Frenc dog of a pond? would win in less than a minute. As the Hilarious story cages were opened, the Dachshund Some lions mate over 50 times a day. slowly waddled toward the centre of the I still admire the pig... quality over ring, watching the French dog. The quantity. French dog leaped from its cage and about British and Butterflies taste with their feet. charged the giant wiener-dog. As he got French dogs to within an inch of the Israeli dog, the Something I always wanted to know. Dachshund opened its jaws wide and The strongest muscle in the body is he British and French realized that, if swallowed the French beast whole in one the tongue. Tthey continued fighting, they would go! There was nothing left but a small someday end up destroying the whole puff of fur from the French killer dog's tail Hmmmm... world. So, they decided to settle their dis- floating to the ground. Right-handed people live, on average, pute with an ancient practice: a duel of The stunned crowd of international nine years longer than left-handed two, like David and Goliath. This "duel" vaccination: her husband left her for a people. would be a dog fight. The negotiators observers, bookies and media personnel 25-year-old unvaccinated nurse. agreed each side would take five years to let out a collective gasp of disbelief and If you're ambidextrous, do you split the develop the best fighting dog they could. surprise. After reading this news, a plumber difference? The dog that won the fight would earn its Eventually, the French along with the George took three shots of Pfizer vacci- Elephants are the only animals that nation. people the right to rule the disputed areas. press approached the Englishman, mut- cannot jump. The losing side would have to lay down its tering and shaking their heads in disbelief. But the wife never left... arms for good. "We do not understand," said the French, Still... the pig * * * The French found the biggest, "Our top scientists and breeders worked A cat's urine glows under a black light. for five long years with the meanest, meanest Dobermans and Rottweilers in I wonder who was paid to figure that biggest Dobermans, Rottweilers and A Mind Block the world. They bred them together and out? then crossed their offspring with the Siberian wolves, and they developed an he human heart creates enough pres- meanest Siberian wolves. They selected incredible killing machine of a dog! What Tsure when it pumps out to the body to An ostrich's eye is bigger than its only the biggest, strongest puppy of each did you do?" squirt blood 30 feet. brain. litter, fed it the best food and killed all the The Englishman replied. "We gave a O.M.G.! I know some people like that. other puppies. They used steroids and team of our plastic surgeons five years to A pig's orgasm lasts 30 minutes. Starfish have no brains. trainers in their quest for the perfect killing make a crocodile look like a dog." machine. When the five years were up, 30 minutes. bloody pig! Can you I know some people like that too. they had a dog that needed steel prison * * * imagine? Polar bears are left-handed. If they bars on its cage. Only expert trainers Alarming reports of Pfizer vaccine side A cockroach will live nine days without switch, they'll live a lot longer could handle this incredibly nasty and effects continue to be received, this time its head before it starves to death. ferocious beast. from US state of Virginia. Humans & dolphins are the only Creepy. But I'm still not over the pig. When the day of the big dog-fight The disaster happened to a 40-year- species that have sex for pleasure. finally arrived, the Britisher showed up old woman, just a week after the first The flea can jump 350 times its body What about that pig?

They were looking for simple pleasures like sharing a little of the lives of their grand- Facts and Observations about children. They leave without disturbing; they will "Playing Cards" always be those who disturb the least, they leave without farewell. id you know that the Traditional being the days in a year. Deck of the playing cards are a They die! So, for those who complain all the time of D Is that a mere coincidence or a strikingly coherent form of a calendar? being confined at home, because their hair- greater intelligence? he best of generations is dying. dressing salons, nail salons or even their There are 52 weeks in the year and Of interest is the sum of the letters in T gyms remain closed... that they cannot party, so are 52 playing cards in a deck. all the names of the cards; e.g. add up Those who, without having long studies, nor go on vacation and always demand more There are 13 weeks in each season the letters in "one, two, three, four, five, have given everything for their children. money from the State... and thus there are 13 cards in each suit. six, seven, eight, nine, ten, Jack, Those who without great resources have Out of respect for this generation which is There are 4 seasons in a year and 4 Queen, King" = 52! helped them and have gone through financial leaving us silently... but with dignity, learn to suits in the deck. The Spades indicate ploughing/- crises. be grateful to our elders. There are 12 months in a year so working. They are dying. there are 12 Court Cards (Those with The Hearts indicates love thy crops. They have known times of war, faces namely Jack, Queen King in each The Clubs indicates flourishing and restrictions, and settled for little. suit). growth. They had pain and suffering The Red Cards represent the day, The Diamonds indicate reaping but did not say it. while the Black Cards represent the wealth. Sometimes they worked like night. Also, in some card games, 2 Jokers beasts. If you let Jacks = 11, Queens = 12, are used. Indicating the leap year. They were said to be more vul- and the Kings = 13, then add up all the nerable than anyone. sums of 1 + 2 + 3 +… to 13 = 91. There is a deeper philosophy than just merely a game of playing cards. As it was for their life, in silence Multiply this by 4, for the 4 Suits, there- they die. fore 91 x 4 = 364, Add 1 that is the Joker The mathematical perfection is and you will arrive at the number 365 mind-blowing. Wellness Mauritius Times Tuesday, May 25, 2021 14 Lack of sleep: First, it's harder to also more likely to develop dementia, recall things when you haven't slept. Healthy Aging though scientists don't yet know exactly Second, sleep strengthens the bonds why that happens. Talk to your doctor or between brain cells that help you remem- therapist if anxiety or depression interfere ber for the long term. Third, it's harder to with your enjoyment of normal daily life or form memories in the first place when your Reasons for you think of harming yourself. Therapy and mind is wandering because of a lack of medication can help. sleep. Good "sleep hygiene" can help: Memory Head injury: A hit to the head (trau- Shoot for 8 hours a night, exercise daily, matic brain injury) can affect short-term stick to a regular sleep schedule, and memory. You might forget appointments or avoid alcohol and caffeine late in the day. Loss feel unsure of what you did earlier in the Medication: Drugs that sedate you, day. Rest, medicine, and medical rehab like sleep aids and tranquilizers, can can help you recover. Repeated hits to weaken your memory, as you might your noggin, as in boxing or football, imagine. But so, can less obvious culprits, raises your risk for dementia later in life. like blood pressure meds, antihistamines, Get to the hospital if you hit your head and and antidepressants. Plus, you may react then pass out or have blurry vision, or if differently than someone else to the same you feel dizzy, confused, or nauseous. pill or combination of pills. Tell your doctor Obesity: If your body mass index about any memory issues when you start a (BMI) is over 30 in middle age, you have a new medication. They may be able to higher risk for dementia later in life. And adjust the dose or prescribe an alternative. extra pounds anytime make heart disease Diabetes: People with the disease are more likely, which also sometimes leads to more likely to develop memory problems brain decline and memory problems. You including dementia. It may be that high genes play a part in why this happens, but al if you smoke and want to quit. can calculate BMI online with your height blood sugar damages tiny blood vessels so do things like diet, exercise, social life, Heart disease: Plaque builds up in and weight. Talk to your doctor about the called capillaries in the brain. Or it may be and illness like diabetes, high blood pres- your arteries and slows blood flow to your right weight for you. You may be able that high insulin damages brain cells. sure, and heart disease. brain and other organs. This is called to improve yours with a healthy diet and Scientists continue to study the issue. You Stroke: A stroke stops the flow of blood atherosclerosis. It can make it harder to regular exercise. might be able to slow this memory decline to part of your brain. Afterward, damaged think clearly and remember things. It also Lack of exercise: Regular exercise if you try to prevent or at least control your brain tissue can make it hard to think, could lead to a heart attack or stroke, lessens the risk of brain decline, memory diabetes with medicine, exercise, and a speak, remember, or pay attention. It's which both also raise your chances of problems, and dementia. It also seems to healthy diet. called vascular dementia. This can also dementia. And even if you don't yet have improve brain function in those who Genes: Genes -- traits you got from happen with a series of small strokes over heart disease, possible causes -- smoking, already have dementia. You don't have to your parents -- help determine when and if time. Things that raise your risk of stroke diabetes, high blood pressure -- make go out and run a marathon or take up pole your memory starts to fade and whether like high blood pressure, heart disease, dementia more likely. vaulting. Just get out and garden, walk, you get dementia. But it's not simple. and smoking may also cause this type of High blood pressure: Also called swim, or even dance for 30 minutes on Genetics seem to matter more in some dementia. If you think you're having a hypertension, it raises your risk of memory most days of the week. types of dementia than others, and a gene stroke, remember FAST: Face drooping, problems, including dementia, most likely Bad diet: Unhealthy eating can lead to that affects memory in one person might Arm weakness, Speech problems, Time to because it damages the tiny blood vessels heart disease, which can cause brain have no effect in another. A genetic test call 911. in your brain. It also can lead to other con- issues including memory problems and from your doctor might have some useful Smoking: Smoking seems to shrink ditions like stroke that cause dementia. dementia. That's why the heart-healthy information. parts of your brain that help you think and People who control their blood pressure Mediterranean-style diet is good for your Age: Memory tends to get worse as remember things. It also raises your risk of with diet, exercise, and medication seem brain, too. It stresses whole grains, fruits, you get older. Doctors call it dementia dementia, possibly because it's bad for to be able to slow or prevent this brain vegetables, fish, nuts, olive oil, and other when it starts to interfere with daily life. your blood vessels. And it definitely raises decline. healthy fats like avocado, and keeps the The number of people with Alzheimer's, your risk of stroke, which can damage the Depression and anxiety: It's often red meat to a minimum. the most common form of dementia, dou- brain and cause vascular dementia. Talk to harder to concentrate or recall things if Hansa D. Bhargava, MD, WebMD bles every 5 years after age 65. Your your doctor or a mental health profession- you're anxious or depressed. Plus, you're

kilos, dieting is equally important. Rigorous exercising they worked out hard. Besides, all of them had oil-free Weight Loss may help you lose weight initially, but you will soon hit food, without any specific changes in their diet. a weight loss plateau. That too depends on the kind of Researchers tracked the exact number of calories Can we lose weight by exercise you are performing. each woman burned. In the end, it was found that exer- According to a 2018 review of research, published in cising did not help the women shed kilos. They did not 'Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases', a person can lose lose an inch from their waist, regardless of how many only exercising? 0-1 per cent weight by resistance training, calories they burned. Moreover, 70 Unfortunately, things do not work like that 0-3 per cent by aerobic exercise, 0-3 per per cent of the participants gained cent by combining aerobic and resistance weight during the study. osing weight is basically about creating a calorie training and 5-10 per cent by combining The right way to shed kilos deficit - eating less and burning more calories. dieting and aerobic exercise. L If you exercise and indulge in the Theoretically, it makes complete sense to exercise for an What research suggests same unhealthy food habits, all your extra hour while taking the same diet as it will help you As per a 2014 study carried out by the efforts to shed kilos will go in vain. You create a calorie deficit and shed some kilos, right? researcher of Arizona State University study, will end up eating high-calorie food People who find it incredibly easy to spend an extra exercising can increase the fitness level, but and that would balance out the num- hour in the gym, but cannot resist the craving of eating extra exercise cannot help you lose weight. ber of calories you burned while exer- their favourite food often wonder if they can lose weight by This was concluded as a result of a cising. This way you will gain weight or only exercising. Unfortunately, things do not work like that. study in which 81 healthy but overweight at least won't be able to shed kilos. Two important factors necessary for shedding kilos women living a sedentary life were asked to When we talk about weight loss, Dieting and exercising are cornerstones of any suc- do 30 minutes of treadmill walking three exercising and dieting go hand in cessful weight loss plan. By neglecting any one of them, times per week for 12 weeks. Every time hand. Only by following one, you won't these volunteers exercised at 70 per cent of be able to reach your weight loss goal. you won't be able to shed kilos effectively. Exercising can their maximum endurance, which means certainly improve fitness, but when it comes to shedding Entertainment Mauritius Times Tuesday, May 25, 2021 15 Taapsee Pannu speaks about her break in the Hindi film industry aapsee Pannu has opened up on her break in the Speaking on her films and the characters she THindi film industry and her acting roles in films. The plays, she said, "People now expect my work to actor has said that had she needed to struggle for roles in be interesting and worth their time, so I can't do the cinema, she 'wouldn't have lasted' for so long. four films a year and look and sound the same in In a recent interview, Taapsee also spoke about get- all." Taapsee also added, "Being a female actor I ting her first Hindi film Chashme Baddoor, directed by cannot afford to do just one film a year. I wish I David Dhawan. While she made her acting debut in Hindi had that luxury. But I cannot turn my life upside films in 2013, she had signed the Telugu film Jhummandi down for a role. I bore quickly, so new roles and Naadam in 2010. Her Tamil film Aadukalam in 2011 won new places help. Fame is not important... I am the six National Film Awards. modern young woman. My roles represent that. People should be able to relate to my character." Speaking to Vogue India, she said, "If I had to struggle for roles, I wouldn't have lasted in this field for so long." On In the last few years, she starred in several getting signed on Chashme Baddoor without an audition, films such as Pink, Badla, Thappad, Naam she said, "Thank God I wasn't auditioned. I haven't learnt Shabana, Saand Ki Aankh, Mission Mangal, the craft formally, my training is all on-set. I would have Manmarziyaan. failed miserably. I was known as the girl who has the The actor will also be seen in Looop Lapeta, 'Preity Zinta vibe' which is why I even got a Bollywood slated for a theatrical release in October, and break." Haseen Dillruba, which will premiere on Netflix. From Rekha to Madhuri Dixit Deepika Padukone reveals some details Ageless beauties of Bollywood who look much about her education younger than their real age! Age is just a number' - we finished my 12th and I tried to do one year of my ‘have often read and heard degree. I couldn't do that, I then tried to do dis- that adage. But there are few tance education, I couldn't complete that as well Bollywood actresses who truly so I'm just a 12th pass." epitomize 'ageless beauty'. She also added, "My parents back then had a They may be in their 40s or big issue with that because they always wanted 50's but still manage to look me only to start working after having a basic much younger than their age. college degree. The very conservative Indian way From Madhuri Dixit Nene and of looking at it is that you need to have something Tabu to the elegance personi- to fall back on." fied Rekha, these actresses Deepika's parents Prakash and Ujjawala from the '80s and '90s still Padukone have since, presumably, made their manage to rule hearts. Janhvi peace with Deepika's decision, given that their Sharma of Bollywood Life elder daughter is the highest-paid female star in paints a profile of Bollywood's the film industry, allegedly charging a fee of Rs 'ageless' actresses who are 120 million per movie. aging gracefully. On the work front, Deepika has an exciting Rekha line-up of projects in the pipeline, including '83', The evergreen actress Baiju Bawra with Ranbir Kapoor, Fighter with Rekha is 67 years old and is Hrithik Roshan, Sanki and Pathan with Shah still winning hearts with her Rukh Khan, Shakun Batra's next, Prabhas 21 charm. She is one of the most with Pabhas and the Indian adaptation of 2015 hit versatile actresses who is considered the finest one in Bollywood. The Hollywood film The Intern opposite Amitabh actress is aging like fine wine and her pictures are proof. One can easily Bachchan. say that Rekha has not aged for the last 20 years and continues to remain ageless. Bhagyashree The actress gained a lot of attention with her performance in Maine Pyaar Kiya alongside Salman Khan. She became an overnight sensation but vanished from films. Bhagyashree who is now 52 years old, looks as graceful as ever. eepika Padukone once opened up about her Tabu Dpast life and education at the launch of veteran actor Hema Malini's biography 'Hema The critically acclaimed actress Tabu has always given exceptional Malini: Beyond the Dream Girl'. During her inter- performances on the big screen. Be it in Andhadhun or A Suitable Boy, action with the audience and media, the actress Tabu has always managed to look graceful and how. She knows how to said that she found it difficult to finish her 11th and turn heads with her beauty, charm. 12th grade in her hometown of Bengaluru Madhuri Dixit Nene because of her modelling assignments. She was a successful model back then, and ultimately Dance Deewane judge Madhuri Dixit Nene is a stunner at 54. Her s abandoned attempts to complete her college artorial choices will surely make your heart go Dhak Dhak. She carries education. herself with utmost grace and elegance. This is what she said, "Even my 11th and 12th, Sangeeta Bijlani I struggled to finish. I was already a very We all know that Sangeeta Bijlani was a huge sensation in her 80s and successful model, and I was based in Bengaluru continues to be one. The former actress is now 54 and we cannot take our but I had to keep travelling to Delhi and Mumbai eyes off her beauty. for work. I couldn't keep up. Then I ultimately Entertainment Mauritius Times Tuesday, May 25, 2021 16 Ruhaanika Dhawan Neena Gupta plays ‘I was looking for an mother to Kanjwaljit inspirational character, Singh's character in found it in Rama’ 'Sardar Ka Grandson' ere Sai - Shraddha Aur Saburi has always Mhighlighted relevant topics that matter to society and after the two famously played a are aimed at instilling a positive message to its viewers. Yet again, the show will focus on a very important topic married couple in Saans pertaining to gender equality, reports Times of India. n Sardar Ka Grandson, Neena plays the matriarch to a In today's day and age, equality between a man and a IPunjabi family. Kanwaljit plays her son, and the father woman is the need of the hour and women have time and of Arjun Kapoor's character. Neena and Kanwaljit worked again proved their mettle by excelling in every course of together on the television show Saans. life. Focusing on the same, talented and popular child actor Ruhaanika Dhawan has been roped in to play the role of a brave girl named Rama. An independent personality with a never-give-up attitude, Rama is on the lookout for her biological parents and is leaving no stone unturned in doing so. Due to unfortunate incidents, her biological parents abandoned her outside a temple but Rama was given another chance at life when a lady who she lovingly calls Ajji adopted and nurtured her. Through the ongoing track, be a part of such a prestigious show is no less than a the show aims to teach viewers that gender should not blessing to me. Moreover, I am very inspired by my on- pose a barrier when it comes to children. Be it a boy or a screen character, who looks at the brighter side of life, girl, a child will always remain a child and both deserve even in the roughest times. I can say that I was looking for equal and unbiased amount of love and affection. an inspirational character and I found it in Rama. Sharing her thoughts on her role, Ruhaanika Dhawan "More than enjoying my role, I received the chance to aka Rama shares, "I have been watching Mere Sai as my learn a lot and I hope through this show, we are able mother is an avid viewer. There is so much to learn from to impact many minds and bring in a positive change in every episode as it imparts great wisdom and learning. To society and give each individual the right they deserve."

In an interaction with Bollywood Hungama, a fan's Himani Shivpuri rues the absence of any provident observation was posed to Neena. The fan had written, "Don't tell me Kanwaljit Singh is Neena Gupta's son in the fund for actors, as many face financial crisis movie? They were co-stars in the 90s. SMH." Neena responded with a laugh, "Bhaiya yehi toh acting ka maza have any income to fall back on at the hai. Kal jo aapka lover tha woh aapka beta hai, yehi toh time of such a crisis, reports Juhi maza hai (That's the joy of acting; someone could play Chakraborty of Hindustan Times. both your lover and your son. It's fun)." "It's very tough. We actors, especial- Saans revolved around married couple Priya Kapoor ly the older ones, earn only when we (Neena Gupta) and Gautam Kapoor (Kanwaljit Singh), work. But now, with work happening, it's their teenage kids Akul and Mithi, and an extra-marital a struggle. We have nothing to fall back affair that threatens their relationship. on," she rues, adding, "They call this an In a 2017 interview with Hindustan Times, Kanwaljit industry but it hasn't given the status of had said about the show, "I had always played an honest, film industry nor does it function like positive guy which people expected from me. But I also one. Our income now is zero as there's wanted to try a new role. Despite that, I ensured that no work, but is it our fault?" Gautam wasn't shown as a villain but as a grey character, Calling it a "struggle" for the past who loved his kids and felt responsible for Priya." one year, the 60-year-old shares, Sardar Ka Grandson, directed by Kaashvie Nair, also "Income has been very sporadic for features Soni Razdan, Rakul Preet Singh, Kumud Mishra, people in our industry for the past one and others. The film opened to poor reviews on Tuesday. year now. It's really a bad scenario. Yes, we actors are probably not in a situation as bad as many others but struggle is struggle." "We don't have a provident fund, we don't have any care fund or something Himani Shivpuri says the stress is much more on many that we can draw money from during these difficult situations. We don't have older actors as they do not have any income to fall back pension. What do we do?" she raises a on at the time of such a crisis pertinent question. The actor, however, isn't losing hope he stalling of shoots and work coming to a halt in the just yet. "Now what we can do is keep healthy and survive Tentertainment industry yet again, has taken a toll on this pandemic. Only when we survive, we'll be able to go the livelihoods of many. Himani Shivpuri points out that out and earn our livelihood again," she says. the stress is much more on the older actors, as they don't Watch’s On Mauritius Times Tuesday, May 25, 2021 17

Mardi 25 Mai - 21.10 A Ghost Story

MBC 1 MBC 2 MBC 3 Cine 12 Bollywood TV 07.00 Dessin Anime 10.00 Serial: CID 06.00 Mag: Eco@Africa 01.26 Film: Contract Killers 08.00 Film: U R My Jaan 10.35 Serial: Open Heart 10.48 Serial: Ye Vaada Raha 06.52 Mag: Voa Connect 03.04 Serial: L.A.’s Finest 12.04 / 19.54 - Sanjivani 11.00 Mag: Le Saviez Vous? 12.04 Film: Haqeequat 07.27 Mag: In Good Shape 03.53 Film: Storm Et La Lettre De... 12.26 / 20.11 - 11.10 Tele: Soleil Levant Starring: Asrani, R. Babbar, 07.53 Doc: Amazing Gardens 05.33 Tele: Muneca Brava Radha Krishna 12.00 Le Journal B. Banerjee, Jeetendra, J. Pradha 08.19 Mag: Future Mag 06.58 Film: Le Secret Du Grand... 12.48 / 20.32 Agnphera 12.25 Tele: Le Prix Du Désir 15.00 Serial: Ek Deewana Tha 10.08 Mag: Global 3000 09.00 Serial: Chicago Fire 13.09 / 21.09 - 12.50 Doc: L’art Et La Matiere 15.25 Serial: Aamhi Doghi 10.34 Doc: Can Green Investment.. 09.45 Tele: Daniella Bade Acche Lagte Hai 14.15 D.Anime: The Hive 15.45 Serial: Bava Maradullu 11.00 Mag: Eco@Africa 10.35 Tele: Tanto Amor 13.31 / 21.24 - Zindagi Ki Mehek 14.23 D.Animes: Dragons 16.08 Serial: Apoorva Raagangal 11.29 Mag: Arts And Culture 11.01 Serial: L.A.’s Finest 13.51 / 21.59 - Naagin Season 3 14.44 D.Anime: La Famille Blaireau 16.29 Serial: Suno Chanda 11.55 Mag: Voa Connect 12.00 Film: Storm Et La Lettre De... 14.33 / 22.25 - Ikyawann 14.56 D.Anime: Spongo, Fuzz and... 16.49 Serial: Imtihaan 12.56 Doc: Amazing Gardens 13.34 Tele: Muneca Brava 15.11 / 22.56 - 15.08 D.Anime: Pet Alien 17.13 Kullfi Kumarr Bajewala 13.22 Mag: Future Mag 14.15 Mag: Hollywood On Set Mere Sai - Shraddha Aur 15.45 Film: Comme Des Bêtes 17.34 Telugu - Premabhishekam 13.51 Doc: Tresors Oublies De La.. 14.45 Film: Le Secret Du Grand... Saburi 17.05 Serial: Backstage 18.00 Serial: Colourful Bone 15.12 Mag: Global 3000 16.41 Serial: Chicago Fire 15.36 Film: Angel 18.00 Live: Samachar 18.30 DDI Magazine 15.38 Doc: Can Green Investment.. 17.23 Serial: Absentia Starring: Nilesh Sahay, 18.30 Serial: Jijaji Chhat Par Hain 19.00 Zournal Kreol 16.04 Mag: Eco@Africa 18.05 Tele: Daniella Maddalsa Sharma, Aruna Irani, Manoj Joshi, Vaishali Thakkar mardi 25 mai 18.56 Local Prod: Charcha 19.30 DDI Magazine 16.30 Mag: Arts And Culture 19.00 Tele: Tanto Amor 19.30 Journal & La Meteo 20.00 Local: Tamil Programme 18.02 Mag: Rev: The Global Auto... 20.05 Tele: Sinu, Rio Des Pasiones 18.00 Live: Samacher 20.35 African Film Festival 2021 20.30 Film: Raja Jani 19.00 Open Univ: Student Support 20.30 Serial: Absentia 18.30 Kundali Bhagya 21.20 Film: Dylan Dog Star: Dharmendra, Hema Malini, 19.31 Mag: Made In Germany 21.15 Film: A Ghost Story 18.52 Serial: Ek Rishta 23.10 Le Journal Prem Nath 20.40 Doc: Ville En Fête 23.46 Tele: Muneca Brava Saajhedari Ka

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Jeudi 27 Mai - 21.15 jeudi 27 mai 18.55 Local: Tirth Yatra 20.36 Local: Evasion - Petra 19.30 Mag: Tomorrow Today 19.00 Tele: Tanto Amor 18.30 Kundali Bhagya 19.30 Le Journal 21.06 Local Prod: Profil 20.05 Mag: Science Ou Fiction 20.05 Tele: Sinu, Rio Des Pasiones 18.51 Ek Rishta Saajhed Ka Avec: Wesley Snipes, Anne Heche, 21.19 Film: Amazing Grace 20.30 Local: News (English) 19.16 Serial: Bhakharwadi Dave Annable 20.15 Film: Kalank 20.30 Serial: 19-2 Stars: Varun Dhawan, Alia Starring: Ioan Gruffudd, Albert 21.32 Doc: The Miracle Of Hearing 22.04 Film: Armed Response 19.38 Serial: Siddhi Vinayak Bhatt, Madhuri Dixit Finney, Michael Gambon 22.14 Doc: Starting Strong 23.37 Tele: Muneca Brava

Mercredi 26 Mai - Star: Akshay Kumar, Asin, Jeudi 27 Mai - Stars: Varun Dhawan, Alia Bhatt, 15.20 Mithun Chakraborty 20.15 Madhuri Dixit Spirituality Mauritius Times Tuesday, May 25, 2021 18 Tree of Knowledge Glory of Narasimha

towards the Lord removes fear. The Lord is patient when He is attacked but He can't tolerate when His bhakthas are tortured. In this article, we shall look at the three Simhams. Narasimham Hriyanyakashipu was chiding Lord Niranjana Karthigairajan Narayana for thousands of years. But the Lord appeared ferociously in the form of Narasimha only when His bhaktha Prahlada was assaulted. Moreover, when n this Narasimha Jeyanthi, let's Hriyanyakashipu pointed out a pillar and understand the philosophical implica- O asked Prahlada if Narayana is present in it, tion of His incarnation. As stated in the Prahlada asserted that Narayana is sloka, "ugram veeram maha vishnum omnipresent. Narasimha came from the jvalantam sarvato mukham," Narasimha very same pillar - to make Prahlada's assumes varied forms as Ugra Narasimha, words come true. Veera Narasimha, and Yoga Narasimha. The paradoxical half-man and half-lion Raghava simham form of Lord Vishnu emphasizes the In Ramayana yuddhakanda, there was importance of co-existing with the dualities a steady exchange of arrows between and differences one faces in life. For Rama and Ravana. At the moment when life, but if you are challenging me as a The Lord wanted to give him a chance instance, situations like actual v/s expec- Ravana was about to shoot an arrow at warrior then I will fight until my last breath." and sought for any signs of the following ted skills at the workplace, disposable Hanuman, Rama got furious and immedi- Then Arjuna intervened and stopped regrets in Hiranyakashipu's mind : income v/s mounting expenditure, and ately slayed Ravana in his chariot. Such is Krishna from making his vow go wrong 1. Out of ignorance - Whether (Arjuna vowed that Krishna won't take differences of opinion in a family. In such the love for the Lord towards His devotees. Hiranyakashipu felt wrong for saying arms during the war ). Again, the Lord Narayana doesn't exist even after he proved that He is bound to His devotees. appeared before him. When Krishna is confronted by His 2. Out of doubt - Whether he thought divine qualities of satyavaakyan (truth- that though being a mighty asura, he speaking) and aashritha vatsalan (hum- couldn't kill Prahlada and so there ble to His devotees), the later takes the must be something that protects him. precedence in front of His devotees. He even goes to an extent of giving up His 3. Out of fear - After looking at the own vow in order to fulfil that of His ferocious nature of the Narasimha. devotees. Reflecting on this, Andal (only 4. Out of guilt - Of not heeding female Azhwar among the 12 Azhwar Prahlada's advice. saints ) hails Lord Krishna as simham. 5. Out of helplessness - Even for Heart-melting Hymns on Ravana, Rama said "Go now, and Narasimha come tomorrow" in the battlefield. But Hiranyakashipu didn't even have Narasimha might sound to us a ferocious incarnation of Narayana, but it is any other way out as he lay in the lap not so for the azhwars. In Periazhwar of Narasimha. Thirumozhi, Periazhwar takes up the 6. Out of realisation - That in spite of emotions of mother Yasodha and on his entire boon that he must be seeing baby Krishna's tiny nails in those lit- indestructible by man or animals or tle fingers , wonders whether those tiny by any weapons, the Lord had defied nails tore apart the chest of Hiranya- everything and appeared in a half- kashipu? man and half-lion form. circumstances, one has to accept things Yadava simham And looking at the thighs of baby The overall message here is that the as they come without any lament, even as Krishna she says that she could see the Lord gives every one of us an opportunity one strives against all odds, much like the In Mahabharatha, Krishna was certain mark of Hiranyakashipu being slayed on to correct our mistakes. As we celebrate surfers ride on the waves and make the to end the Kurukshetra war in two days His thighs. Narasimha Jeyanthi let's take oath to recti- hurdles a stepping-stone to go higher. and had vowed that He wouldn't pick up In Thiruvaimozhi, Namzhwar admires fy our bad habits or deeds and surrender Worshiping Lord Narasimha and reciting any arms. On the other hand, Bheeshma the beauty of Narasimha, surprisingly! ourselves unto His lotus feet. His slokas relieves us from the stresses of pledged that he would make Krishna break Such is the compassion towards Sriman such demanding circumstances. his vow. Narayana in spite of His ferocious nature Namazhwar (one of the twelve Tamil- The battle continued for days, as Lord Narasimha. poet saints of Tamil Nadu, India) in one of unhurried, until Bheeshma aimed an arrow his hymns (Thiruvaimozhi 2.8.9) "Iraniyan to strike Arjuna. On seeing this, ferocious Opportunity to correct mistakes thoonpudaipa * Angu appozhuthe avan Krishna got down from His chariot, took Did you know that Narasimha laid viyath thondriya en singappiraan" hails His Sudarshana chakra to annihilate Hiranyakashipu on His thighs and rubbed the greatness of Narasimha as how the Bheeshma (and broke his vow). his chest with His hands before slaying furious Lord was unfearful for Prahlada, Bheeshma prostrated and said to him ? The reason being, to check whether while even Brahma was terrified. Thus fear Krishna, "Oh Lord, if you are approaching Hiranyakashipu's heart has changed at for Him emanates only if we seek Him for me as Lord Krishna, then you may take my least in the last moment and whether he mere worldly attainments. True devotion felt guilty of his misdeeds.