A new hotel school in Pamplemousses

New courses in hospitality and hotel management are now available at the Hotel and Tourism Training Centre (HTTC). Indeed, this institute located in Pamplemousses will work in close collaboration with the Swiss International Hotel Management Institute. Those who would like to follow those courses should have at least an Advanced Level. Moreover, they will cost around Rs 75 000. If ever the trainee is asked to continue his studies in Switzerland, he will have to spend some Rs 400 000. In the context of the launching of those courses, a ceremony was held last Thursday at the HTTC, under the patronage of personalities such as the minister of Education, Dharam Gokhool.

Investigation into the spread of AIDS

Last Friday saw the end of a workshop on the causes of the spreading of Aids in the region at the Institute of Health of Pamplemousses. The main conclusion of the workshop was that there are common factors between four countries - Madagascar, Seychelles, Comoros and Mauritius - a bad distribution of wealth and the globalization of a certain youth culture. Professor Brooke G. Schoepf carried out the investigation. This American anthropologist is linked to the Institute for Health and Social Justice and to the Harvard Medical School.

Tragedy at Gris-Gris

Two fishermen from Riambel, Marc Perle, 52, and Hakill Ramjhol, 68, died last Friday when their boats capsized. The body of Hakill was found a few hours later by other fishermen while the coast guards are still looking for Marc Perle?s body. The two fishermen?s relatives say that the coast guards should have acted more quickly. The reason for their failure to do so was that their boat was out of order. The Black River coastguards had to come and help in the search for Marc Perle's body.

Corruption denounced in municipalities

The charge of ?conflict of interest?, against Tirat Moossun shows that reprehensible practices could be current in municipalities. The Icac reproaches the ex-lord Mayor for having given a stall to his sister Vimla and husband Raj Kumar Callichurn at the central market without any official application. Appearing in the Port-Louis district court, Tirat Moossun was bailed out for Rs 10 000. These practices, explains Paul Lemière, a municipal councillor in Beau-Bassin/ Rose-Hill, have been possible because of the lack of proper control. ?The municipalities can?t work properly with the amendments made in 2003 to the Local Government Act of 1989.?