?We are, whether we like it or not, the standard bearers of difference, of diversity. Interbreeding, past, present and future are part of us. We carry in us, juxtaposed, the different worlds. It is our wealth but it also gives us an immense responsibility ? that of being relentless fighters against those who don?t like differences and who want to standardize thoughts and culture.?

Those words are from our Prime minister, Navin Ramgoolam, and were spoken on Tuesday at the 180th session of the Executive Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Paris. The PM chose to speak mainly about the Mauritius, sustainable island, project but he then went on to describe the country as the land of cultural diversity that had a lesson for the world.

Interestingly, Ramgoolam?s words to the international community about our culturally and religiously diverse nation are pretty much the same ones he uses here, save a few instances of excesses, best not recalled.

For the colours of the rainbow are not always in harmony in our ?rainbow nation? regardless of what perceptions foreigners may have or our political leaders may want to give to the world. But, regardless of its fragility and despite attempts by some to endanger the social fabric, Mauritians have managed to live together, if not completely at peace, then reasonably so.

«No nation can be built on historical lies and it is primordial that each and every component of the Mauritian society be at peace with its history so that they can move on.»

It has repeatedly been said that it is politicians (and religious zealots, of course) who occasionally find that it?s worth their while to divide in order to rule better. True enough. And we usually view ?unity? discourses with much scepticism; after all, they are usually mere words ? empty at that ? uttered by politicians when they want to be politically correct.

Despite this, Ramgoolam?s discourse on unity at UNESCO is interesting in that it could just as easily have been a speech delivered at home. The usual subtle threat that has become Ramgoolam?s trademark is present ? that ?we? (presumably Ramgoolam is talking about himself and like-minded people) have to be ?relentless fighters against those who don?t like differences and want to standardize thoughts and culture?.

This is reminiscent of the PM?s regular telling-offs at home whenever he comments on people?s criticisms of his policy. It is worth noting that Navin Ramgoolam privately feels he is misunderstood and disliked by the same people he accuses of wanting to ?standardize thoughts?.

Talking about the decision to set up a Truth and Justice Commission, the Prime minister said: ?The commission will have for objective to go back to the history of slavery, scrutinize it and enlighten us on slavery?s implications in today?s society. (?) No nation can be built on historical lies and it is primordial that each and every component of the Mauritian society be at peace with its history so that they can really move on.?

The fact that Ramgoolam talks openly about the ?lies? ? whatever they are ? is also interesting. And this need to always go back to the past, all too often expressed at home, is also part of Ramgoolam?s speech at the UNESCO. He seems convinced that to live ?happily together?, one must preserve the ?memories? ? to each community their own.

For the descendants of indentured labourers, it is Aapravasi Ghat and for descendants of slaves, it is Morne mountain; the PM expressed his pride and gratitude that those two sites have been inscribed on the World Heritage List by UNESCO. He also mentions the slave route project initiated by UNESCO and talks about a monument that will be built in commemoration of this slave route as Mauritius is ?considered by historians to have been strategically located on the slave route?. And true to the Mauritian politician that he is, Ramgoolam says his government has also suggested that an ?indentured labourer route? project be set up as well.

The rest of the speech on the matter of cultural and ethnic diversity is very politically correct, presumably because the Prime minister doesn?t want to wash our dirty laundry in public. For dirty laundry there is and piles of it. In any event, the Prime minister goes on to say he is convinced that ?Mauritius has an important part to play in the building of a world that?s more open to cultural realities and more open to differences? . He believes that Mauritius can show the way but adds that one needs to always be vigilant. ?Our land is home to all the cultures, all the religions and all the languages.?

This goes back, Ramgoolam recounts, to history . ?Our ancestors came from the four corners of the world and they forged us all a common destiny. A destiny that we have built on solid foundations based on the acceptance of one another and the richness that stems from our differences. We have carried in our immigrants? luggage our different cultures, our different languages and as years and centuries went by, we have leant how to live together.?

Beautiful words. That we need to commit to memory. Irrespective of politicians and of whether they mean them or not.