<B> ?They have helped us to blossom? </B>

?For my primary education, I used to go to Champ de Lort primary school. Indeed, there were Messrs Sanghili and Thancanamootoo who were my mentors for the Junior scholarship. I must also pay tribute to Mr Umanee, who gave me private tuition. But the teacher who really marked my primary education is Mrs. Husson. I must underline that her performance was nothing else than exceptional. I best remember her, as being the one who made me realise the importance of education in one?s life.

In addition to this, she pulled a trigger within my mind by inculcating into me this notion of ?always be at the top?. That must have been either when I was in Standard III or IV. Ever since, I have always tried my best to be among the top. Without priding myself, I believe that, in every thing I have done, I have managed to be ?at the top? as Mrs Husson wanted me to be. She was a strong character and knew how to make herself respected.

Thereon, I moved to Royal College of Port-Louis between 1967 and 1974. In those days, there were a lot of students who have ended up as laureates or who occupy various positions of responsibility in our society and some both. Taking into consideration that I was really opened, I must admit I really liked to make friends with others irrespective of whether they were younger or older. Just to name a few that come to my mind: Sanjay Buckhory, Jean-Claude Bibi, Ashraf Caunhye, Gaëtan Siew and many others.

There are many teachers who impressed me during my time at Royal College. However, the two who most influenced me were Messrs Allken and Bancilhon. The first one was teaching physics, while the other was teaching English literature. They were always very receptive to our questions and encouraged exchange of ideas between us (students) and them. Once, I asked Mr Alken: ?How come light can go through a window pane?? To reply to me, he opened a debate, where I had to think a lot before reaching any conclusion. But, usually, whenever he answered our questions, he was straightforward.

Mr Alken always managed to demonstrate that physics was a subject which demanded logical and Cartesian thinking. He developed a logical way of thinking within all of us.

Coming to Mr Bancilhon, the first thing that comes to my mind about him is the fact that he knew his literature texts on the tip of his fingers. In Form IV, I studied Chaucer, I never understood what the text was about. But, when I studied it with Mr Bancilhon, I understood everything! I can still visualize the way he was explaining Animal Farm to us. While he was explaining, it was as if I was seeing the movie of the play in front of me. He made us almost fall in love with literature. As a result, when I was in Form V, the whole class got a distinction at SC level. I am talking about a class of 30 students!

To be honest, I believe that, in the eyes of people, I was considered as a good boy. Nevertheless it happened that I was involved in some incidents and had to bear the consequences of the famous detention. As an example, once we closed the class and exploded a stinking bomb just to tease the teacher.

I have to say that I have only memorable souvenirs of my time at Royal College of Port-Louis, as far as my education is concerned. I have been lucky to have been able to get the school-mates and teachers I had. It was wonderful! I owe a lot to the teachers I mentioned, especially to Messrs Allken and Bancilhon, for having contributed enormously in making me the man I am.?