At his press conference that signified the end of the countdown, prime minister Ramgoolam sought to dot the Is and cross the Ts… What he actually meant by the 100 days time frame was that his government would create a new climate conducive to the new type of government he wishes to put in place. And, to a large extent, he has lived up to his promise.

His government does not believe prosperity can be achieved if the down-trodden are not taken care of. And, to show the measure of his convictions, Navin Ramgoolam implemented three controversial measures straightaway, regardless of concerns that the state might not necessarily be able to sustain them. Students now travel free to school on public transport; the elderly travel free without restriction and the old-age pension has been restored to everyone over 60.

The 4th and most controversial measure took many by surprise: the price of some essential commodities will be controlled in an attempt to rid the market of monopoly. This is a way, according to the government, to encourage competition in the long run.

Have people started to feel the impact of these measures on their lives? Many have, it seems. “It is real cash that remains in the pockets of the poor; money that they need,” says Ramgoolam. Many people agree. But more importantly, the government has succeeded in creating the “feel-good factor”; perception being always more important than reality. The image of a “caring government” has been successfully created.

Added to this, the image of a government that listens to the population has been carefully built up. After announcing that he was stopping work at Ferney, the country went through many weeks of uncertainty as hopes started to die down when the PM gave the impression he had changed his mind concerning the salvation of the last endemic forest of the country. Until a much-publicised visit to the valley where Ramgoolam declared himself so impressed by its beauty that he ordered work to stop until he had made his final decision. And on the 99th day, the decision came via a cabinet decision: the valley was saved!

<B>The days of “lev pake ale” (take your stuff and go

• to put it nicely), the incident with President Jugnauth at the swearing-in are now things of the past.</B>

This impression of a government that cares about public opinion, if not genuine, has been masterfully planned. And it serves the purpose of contrasting with the previous one. “We have the best team, we are here thanks to the people, we govern for the people, humility is our guide…” are but a few of the catch-phrases repeated in many of the PM’s speeches. And they have served their purpose, it seems. But, at the same time, towards the end of the 100 days’ deadline, the PM started to put more emphasis on something he had been saying during the electoral campaign. “We need discipline to make progress,” he has said several times.

In his last press conference, Ramgoolam gave an example: “People cannot keep throwing wrappers on the streets after having eaten their gato pima,” he said with a smile while announcing that measures will be taken “a bit like in Singapore… because we have duties and responsibilities as well as privileges”. During his electoral campaign, Ramgoolam put much emphasis on how Mauritians should work harder and with more discipline. Is it a hint of things to come? In any event, the message is bound to be received in a more positive frame of mind once the people have been convinced that, whatever the government does, it does it with their best interests at heart.

The days of “lev pake ale” (take your stuff and go - to put it nicely), the incident with President Jugnauth (swearing-in ceremony) are now things of the past. They characterized the first few days of government’s intention to impress its authority after five years of absence. The strategy is now different as shown by the Gayan affair when government sacked the wife of former minister Anil Gayan and afterwards showed signs of relenting in the face of pressure from public opinion by saying alternative employment would be given to the lady. The government will now speak in a soft voice while carrying a stick – in any event, that’s the impression one gets from Ramgoolam.

Tough times are ahead and this is the way the prime minister has chosen to deal with them. Is he right? After having passed with flying colours the first 100 days- meant to set the stage, will he manage to implement his vision of a better - and more prosperous Mauritius? The bets are on…