?Je désirerais que mon départ ne soit pas pour ceux que j?aime une souffrance. Je voudrais qu?il ne fût pas pour eux une cause de regrets, de lamentations, de larmes. J?aimerais que ma femme et mes enfants pensent à moi comme à quelqu?un qui les a beaucoup et tendrement aimés, qui les aime encore et qui est parti un peu avant pour le pays de vie, de lumière, de paix et d?amour où il les attend ! Que leur vie terrestre continue paisiblement jusqu?au jour où, pour eux aussi, la porte s?ouvrira. Je voudrais qu?ils acceptent ma mort comme une chose très simple, très naturelle.? Rabindranath Tagore

These words were quoted by Dr François Darné in his letter to me in November 1997 when talking of the death of his wife, Denise. Less than six years later, the door has opened for him. ?Comment me résigner à accepter le départ comme une chose très simple, très naturelle ??

To have been associated with him is a matter of personal pride and distinction. Looking back on my personal association as diplomatic adviser in the Paris embassy from 1979 to 1981 brings back many memories, all equally nostalgic and pleasant. Dr Darné was a refined and courteous person with the old-world charm and elegance of his generation. A genuine man of many parts, endowed with qualities of mind and heart in many climes.

Mauritius was fortunate to have a person of the calibre, dedication and vision of Dr Darné, agrégé of the Royal College of British Surgeons and Mauritian ambassador to France from 1972 to 1982. As a diplomat, he was outstanding. He re-presented Mauritius at the behest of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam in se-veral international conferences and was the most senior member of the Commonwealth Group of ambassadors in Paris.

François Darné vindicated the trust and confidence placed in him. The country owes him a debt of gra-titude. He showed exemplary leadership and commitment during the years of consultation, representation and interaction, which strengthened the silken bonds of friendship between Mauritius and France ? a strong and undying one.

In 1970, he launched the Franco-Mauritian Association, under the impetus of Michel Debré, the Prime Minister of Général de Gaulle. Earlier, during WW2, when bombs were falling over London, he was at the operating table for three to four days non-stop trying to alleviate the sufferings of the sick and wounded. He became the first Mauritian to be appointed Registrar of the University College London. He has invented a variety of new toothbrushes from his research during retirement and his ?brevet? has been deposited.

His compassion knew no bounds. One example is when a lorry-load of sugarcane overturned labourers, he and his team treated them free of charge at the clinic he founded and bearing his name.

Voltaire wrote that ?every man is a creature of the age in which he lives and very few are able to raise themselves above the ideas of their time?. François Darné did. He chartered a new path and forged a different life.

How often he went hunting with President Giscard d?Estaing and came back covered in business after having shared the foie gras at the Palais de l?Elysée! The Minister of Cooperation, Mr Gallet, stood godfather to his son.

In Mauritius, he was viewed as a key figure in the field of medicine and his surgical expertise commanded respect. He became the accredited doctor of Air France and the Messageries Maritimes. When SSR was on medical treatment in Europe, François was always by his side as a guardian angel.

He was also a lover of horses. His presence at Champ de Mars never went unnoticed. But he gave in his notice to the MTC when he found his favourite horse, No Name, was involved in a rigged race. He never returned to the pelouse.

Dr Darné passed away peacefully but his departure does not leave any empty space. The memories of a great man who could ?puzzle sensitive minds and savour the succulence of the written word or the spoken one? are too vivid in the heart and mind of one waiting for? the door to open.

Vijay C. Joypaul, C. S. K.