COVER STORY

The government’s road map to 2030: What the economists make of it

The prime minister’s 45- minute speech on Saturday contained a number of objectives that the government has committed itself to achieving. But how realistic are some of these objectives? Weekly speaks to economists for their take on the government’s plan.

INTERVIEW

“My life with Barack Obama was a wasted life”

Weekly sits down with a special guest this week: Ruth Ndesandjo Obama, the president of the United States’ stepmother. While on a visit to the island, we managed to have her talk to us about her life with Obama’s father and her relationship with the president. The exclusive interview Weekly managed to obtain reveals a lot of realities about the man in the White House, his father and his family.

EDUCATION

Mauritian education 2.0: Will the children play?

The minister of education wants to “give kids back their childhood” and seems to envision an island where 11-year-olds play outdoors in the afternoon instead of spending every waking hour stressing over an exam that partly determines their future. Admirable – but are the changes to the education system really going to achieve that?

THIS IS MAURITIUS

Rakhi: When a tradition travels the world

Hindus all over the world will be celebrating Raksha Bandhan –Rakhi – on 29 August by praying and vowing to protect their beloved sibling in an ancient ritual involving blessings and the exchange of gifts and sweets. Today, the festival takes on a new life form as families are spread across the globe and as non-Hindus have come to learn about the ritual. Rakhi can now be celebrated in ways that are all but conventional.