Racism goes political... in Mauritius.

Small island. Big ambitions? Huge political fiasco? Mauritius?. of course.

Dear World beyond these Indian Ocean shores, today I am in transit but I am not alone!

So where the hell is Mauritius, what?s its street cred?

Last November, I asked the same question! I responded to an internationally advertised posting, to become General Manager of an estate, known as Domaine Les Pailles, and the newly inaugurated Swami Vivekananda International Conference Centre. I thought an island that could build a supposedly multipurpose venue and stage a major event for the United Nations, in a remarkably short space of time, was worth working with.

But how wrong can you be, never believe the rose coloured tourist publicity. This is an island economy on the brink, with a sugar industry in rapid decline, a textile industry under severe commercial pressure from the emerging new economically strong in the region AND a tourism industry greatly under valued and under resourced.

Nothing unusual about that? Add to the mix a new sworn in Government hell bent on a manifesto policy of what can only be termed ?Political Ethnic Cleansing?

Brought in to power on the 4th of July, just winning a hard fought election, based on a wide range of promises of change, plus the usual vote winners of, free transport to schools, free transport for the aged. plus new anti corruption measures and a new office of fair-trading and, would you believe, a new policy of open transparency. Coupled with some other interesting promises waiting to be fulfilled, the prospect of ?Equal Opportunities? for all.

It is going to need more than a little imagination to see how this country?s new leadership will become a respected force for change. To deliver and generate new investment potential to feed the islands ambitions, support from the global community will be needed. This will only be achievable through partnerships that can be trusted.

Enough said.

Me! Well, my heart goes out to all the communities of the southern United States. If I was to invest in any rebuilding of a community, I would prefer to invest in one that truly deserves it; and one that could be trusted.

If the convention and business tourism industry need my skills, I?m in temporary transit but free to take up any new serious challenge. Good-bye Mauritius? Hello World.

Michael J MORRIS

P.S. And they are all in New York to celebrate at the United Nations. With their begging bowls again! And get some return on their investment in BMW?s for a UN congress?

Problems regarding free transport

On Saturday 17th September 2005, around 8:00 a.m, I was verbally harassed and extremely humiliated in front of all passengers in the bus Island links, plate no. 26 JN 02, from Mahebourg to Port-Louis, Route No.198. I was intimidated up to a point that I merely collapsed and even failed to focus on my lectures on that day. In fact I was on my way to the university and I am eligible for free transport as my university bus pass issued by the NTA is valid. After much verbal torture, I was urged to pay the full fare.

It is not the first time I am receiving suspicious and hostile remarks from bus conductors since we are benefiting from free transport facilities. It is also very important to point out that I have countless number of friends that have been harassed in almost the same way, particularly on Saturdays.

The government has taken a good initiative to provide us with free transport and we should be very thankful. However, I have witnessed several times that some unprofessional, poorly educated and evil-minded bus conductors and ticket examiners are seizing the opportunity to derive pride and honour while humiliating students and senior citizens as if we were travelling illegally. I must admit that I appreciate the performance of the government so far as it is more people-oriented. However, the authorities should see to it that government plans are implemented in the best way so that they are beneficial and not detrimental to Mauritian citizens.

I would appreciate if immediate actions could be taken against the bus conductor concerned and adequate training along with strict measures enforced on the people involved in the public transport system to ensure that these problems do not recur .

S. A.