«The world is a dangerous place. Not because of the people who are evil ; but because of the people who don?t do anything about it. » Albert Einstein.

I wish, through those few lines, to contribute to make the Mauritian population realize that our country is slowing but surely going down the drains. The problems that were paralyzing development in our island ten years ago are not yet solved and they are now playing a more acute role in holding back the country.

We have big dreams. We aim to reach the development stage of Singapore and become the tiger of the Indian Ocean. However, by simply looking around us, we realize that the basic amenities present in our socio-economic system to render the life of the common man agreeable and easy have not evolved at all and are in a deplorable state.

We have to admit it : our country is being grossly mismanaged. Standard of living is declining drastically leading to numerous hurdles in life of the common man. It is public knowledge that our transport and road traffic system is still the same. It is a pain to move around the island during peak hours. Everyone realizes it. The numerous consultancy reports advising us on potential solutions testify of the good intention towards change.

But where are the actions and why is it taking so long ?

Our public officers have the same mentality of postponing for tomorrow things that can be done today.

Our public health system is still horrible. The law and order situation has not improved (I am not saying that it is gone worse?) Our Police Department has reached a sate of total demotivation. Are we conscious of its impact on the security and comfort of our citizens and on the 2 million tourists expected in 2015 and also on the image of our country as a place to invest?

The problem of hawkers in major cities such as our capital are uncontrollable. Our welfare state no longer caters for the needs of the citizens. Assume we forget about this aspect of our welfare state for a moment, are we being proactive enough to think seriously about its sustainability ?

Our electoral system needs urgent reform and nothing is being done. Our level of education is getting from bad to worse. In the tertiary, we are having the brilliant idea of making three students produce a thesis ! Our country does not even have a policy as regards sports. Our cases lying in front of the Courts of Justice take years ? we must remember we are a population of only 1,2 million. We lack sign boards on our roads, nor are parking coupons available for sale and dustbins are a rare feature of our island. Where are we heading ? Is this what we want ? We are all being taken for a ride, a long ride? indeed.

V. T.