Historians where have you been all these years? As past generations, we still remember the consequences, which have plagued our daily lives since we demobilized. During WW II, the British army recruited over 30,000 youngsters of both sexes in our then colonial island. Now only 6,000 ex-soldiers, about 1,200 widowers/widows, are registered with The Mauritius ex-Services Trust Fund Board (MESTFB), operating under the aegis of the ministry of Finance. We do not forget that the budget last year allocated to the MESTFB was integrated into that of the Social security, National solidarity and Senior citizens? welfare. Well and good!!!

Set up in July 2000, the MESTFB has no right to submit to the authorities any meritorious claim(s) from any ex-services associations? except keep registered records up to date, carry out monthly payment of the (meager) financial assistance to two categories of ex-soldiers and refund claims submitted for a yearly limited sum for medicines?

Other benefits, such as doctors? fees no longer exist. Registered widows can claim the yearly sum of Rs 400, not enough to buy a loaf per day.

Everyone who served during the two WW and is still alive, knows many ex-service soldiers have struggled for years for a meritorious monthly permanent pension but in vain. Did we not contribute to the safeguard of the democratic and free world in which we are all still living?

At the annual general meeting of our 1st Association on 14.02.04, a new executive committee was elected. Here are certain antidemocratic decisions taken recently with the authorities? approval.

(1) The outgoing president, who does not represent anybody, was called to sit on the MESTFB to the detriment of others?

(2) The association had its seat for more than 59 years in Port-Louis, together with the MESTFB and the latter has caused systematic obstruction towards the new committee, after refusing them access to their office simply by the say of the present MESTFB chairperson.

(3) The Board Secretariat is keeping all movable property and office materials belonging to the association at the above place, in a go-down.

(4) Our association has occupied the said ex-servicemen home since 1946, through constant efforts of Ackbar Gujadhur and Raoul Rivet and other donors up to its expulsion without any legal step.

(5) Our association was in charge of the said ex-servicemen home for years.

(6) Our 1st association was the representative of British ex-servicemen until last year when, with the government?s approval, it was transferred to the custody of the MESTFB.

(7) The Mauritius Trust Fund Act 6. 2 000, governing the MESTFB should be amended.

All our complaints are contained in our memoranda. The last one in last April was sent to each member of Parliament, every political party leader, every editor in chief of daily newspapers, private, public radios and TV.

Our memorandum, in two different parts, explained what we need (1) appropriate and substantial aid and assistance and (2) the historical background such as a gallery/ library etc? We insist that our ex-servicemen?s home, at 3, Church Street, Port-Louis be classified as national heritage on the same footing as Aapravasi Ghat and Mandela Centre for African Affairs. Let us quote: ?A country that does not know its history is like a ship without a rudder.?

L.B. Botte

(Ex-servicemen spokesman)