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Lighting the way to hope and tolerance!
Mauritius awakened from its usual indifference towards the HIV/Aids virus on Sunday evening. It was the time to remember those who have died from the disease and support those who have to live with it everyday. Mauritius has decided not to close its eyes to the disease but rather face the facts: 2,295 people have been registered HIV-positive and 921 have died of AIDS.
The presence of the prime minister, Navin Ramgoolam, and the minister of Social Security, Sheila Bappoo, was an encouraging sign that the authorities are willing to fight not only the disease but also the indifference and intolerance those affected with the disease have to face everyday. With this in mind, the PM announced that the government would soon launch a special national plan.
Beyond the official ceremony, the International Aids Candlelight Memorial, celebrated in 104 countries worldwide, was much more of a solidarity movement. The march from Place Margéot to the Plaza of about a thousand people holding their candles was only the beginning of an evening full of emotion.
The four radios – Radio One, Radio Plus, Top FM and MBC radio – were present on stage with the spokesperson of Pils, Nicolas Ritter. The evening’s events were broadcast live on each radio to remind everyone that solidarity was the leitmotiv of the evening.
The most intense moment was the litany of names. One after the other, each presenter called out the name of one Mauritian victim of the disease. All candles were slowly put out so that everyone present at the Plaza could meditate on them. The 921 names of the victims were called out on that Sunday evening to make sure they would not be forgotten. Tears in Heaven and Goodbye my Lover concluded that highly emotional episode.
But the evening could not end on such a sad note and it had to be shown that there is still hope. Kaya’s Sime la limier — sung by Eric Triton and Yannick Nenette — could not have put across a better message on that Sunday evening!
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