PM Navin Ramgoolam will be in New Delhi for an international conference in January to talk on Peace, non-violence and empowerment, Gandhian Philosophy in the 21st Century. He and opposition leaders have been invited to India by the president of the Indian National Congress, Sonia Gandhi.

This conference has been organised in the context of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Satyagraha movement - launched on 11th September 1906 by Mahatma Gandhi in South Africa. It also coincides with the 59th anniversary of Gandhi’s assassination. Among the guests will be Nobel Prize laureates, political figures and NGO leaders involved in the battle to eradicate poverty and the construction of a peaceful society.

This conference has come at a very crucial time in the history of the world. Humanity is witnessing all forms of cruelty and violence. There is no dignity even in death. Corruption and violence in India itself is rampant. Mauritius, for its size of population, is also passing through a difficult time of violence despite the fact that many well-meaning people and organisations are striving hard to contain the situation. Mauritius is no stranger to the teachings of the Mahatma who set foot on our island many years ago. The presence of the Mahatma Gandhi Institute (MGI) and the constant coming and going of Indian top personalities to Mauritius ensures the perennial philosophy of non-violence is ever in the forefront of our citizens’ minds.

Still, our country is facing violent crimes daily. We talk peace and non-violence and yet we fail ignominiously to practise them in daily life. One wonders whether the presence of our political leaders at this international conference will have any impact on our citizens. It is good to see our leaders for once sharing this journey to this great country. We hope they will be inspired to work together for peace and progress in the interest of the islanders.

The Mumbai Sarvodaya Mandal along with Shri M D Shah & Smt T S Bafna Women’s College conducted a Gandhi Peace Exam based on the Mahatma’s book. I understand only women took this exam. Why not men also? Violence is perpetrated mostly by men; it would have been a credit if men too had shown their commitment to the Gandhian philosophy.

“If Mahatma Gandhi saw the examination hall filled with aspiring Gandhians, he would surely be a happy man today.” Says another student Madhura Prabhu, “We should understand that his ideas are important and relevant to our age and we should not just learn them, but practise them as well.” (Nafisa Islam,CNN-IBN). Yes, he died a violent death while trying to educate his people; his influence has gained world dimension; and yet, in his own country, greed and poverty among many other social evils have not allowed his teachings to take deep root.

I wonder if Mauritius is doing any such things to educate the masses in the life and teachings of the Mahatma by way of marking this special event. The initiative by The Mumbai Sarvodaya Mandal Gandhi test could be copied by our Education minister to get something started using the same exam paper involving all schools and colleges. In this way, our countrymen and women could benefit from the message of this super Indian. Possibly, it might help to cut down, if not eradicate completely, the degrading situation on the island. By being engaged thus all Mauritians would participate in this international event. Would our leaders consider undertaking this worthy task? I realize our PM and all concerned individuals would be willing to be engaged in such a cause. Blessed are the peace-makers, for they shall inherit the kingdom of God.

Dr David B. LINGIAH</B>