<B>By Deepa BHOOKHUN</B>

It occurred to me as I was reflecting on the fact that Mahatma Gandhi was born 137 years ago yesterday, on how sad it was that this little man with the powerful mind has failed to inspire people.

All the battles the Mahatma fought, all the lessons he taught, living by example and forever trying to keep up his sense of values, principles and brotherhood, even at the cost of his life, have left people cold as they continue to embark on the path of violence, racism, intolerance and arrogance. In the name of religion and of service. Two examples will suffice.

Sitting through the general assembly of the Air Mauritius shareholders, the other day, I was struck by the arbitrary nature of the questions many shareholders - or those pretending to be - had to pose. But the sense of the ridiculous heightened when Krit Manohur, self-proclaimed voice of the Hindus (my goodness!) demanded that the catering contract Air Mauritius had with a particular company be simply terminated.

Those of you who have been following the activities of the Voice of Hindu will know that, a couple of months ago, the people of this dubious organization demonstrated because the catering company that provides food to Air Mauritius had forbidden its employees to wear the red band that many people of Hindu faith wear on their wrists. For a very simple reason. It is called health and safety regulations. But obviously, the matter was taken completely out of context and proportion and was presented as a threat to the practice of religion and an insult to the people of Hindu faith. Which it blatantly was not.

Anyhow, after having asked a few mind-numbing questions, Mr Manohur was succeeded by his fellow comrade-in-arms Navin Unoop, who introduced himself arrogantly as the “voice of Navin Unoop” and also demanded the termination of the contract of Plaisance Catering Service, saying that they must “lev pake ale”.

This latest display of arrogance of this group of people with more muscles than brains, who have decided that the end justifies the means in their “mission” of speaking on behalf of the people who have chosen Hinduism as a way of life - (can’t people think for themselves regardless of the religion they practice in the privacy of their homes?) - is very worrying.

What is even more worrying is the fact that people of different faiths recognise this organization and others advocating extremism and racism as ones they should go to when they feel cheated or victimised. Obviously groups of this sort are responding to a need, a void, a disease in society.

Gandhiji has died. And, with him, his values.

Forget about religion and peaceful cohabitation. It seems the Mahatma’s lessons concerning service to the people have also left cold the people who have been elected to do precisely this. Just look at the way minister Sinatambou is managing his ministry and treating competent people. Pride comes before the fall, says an age-old adage. Etienne Sinatambou would do well to meditate on this.

But, through the darkness, there is still a glimmer of light shining somewhere. Shining weakly admittedly but shining nonetheless. It would be fitting therefore to say hats off to Sanjit Teelock and the way he has steadfastly held on to his principles regardless of political pressure.

Gandhi is dead. So it seems are his values. Well, almost.