It so happened that I loved someone. The lady was a chirpy beauty who had the misfortune of choosing me. She genuinely cared. I did too. Only, my timing was irremediably flawed. I started truly loving her only after we parted ways. Only now do I understand that it was on the wrong side of breaking point to realise one’s true feelings.

In the initial months, we were happily inebriated in each other. So much so that I found shopping expeditions with her endurable and she dismissed my ego issue as some form of curable pathology. Successful relationships are mostly about tolerance. Occasionally I listened to her. I felt the more we talked the less words meant. At least I thought so.

Then things changed. She wanted us to get married. I was happy merely being with her. The nuptial ceremony was mapped out by her during one of our one-way conversations. I was afraid. But love being what it is, I duly informed her of my disapproval by acquiescing with her. Our parents hated their progenies’ choices. I thought that maybe it was simply not meant to be.

With time, I grew meaner; cruelty to others the quick solution when overtaken by one’s own confusion. It was Je t’aime, Moi Non Plus from thereon. To the point where it hurt us to be together. We broke up.

Then there was love. I remembered the moments we shared, from the finer details of our unilateral and two-way conversations to our fights. Memories of her face made the fabric of my melancholic insomnia. The last few months have been a cathartic yet soulful experience.

For, I found love.

Of the many cases of quiproquo that we have witnessed in politics, the present situation might be the most glaring of them all. In a year scarred by scandals, where the dearth of integrity of our governing leaders became so apparent that even highly politicised institutions finally started acting, talks of the introduction of the PR system sound sorely out of place.

For most of 2011, people have vehemently denounced the misuse of power. Clear in their rejection of the opaqueness surrounding the Medpoint issue. The latter, the culmination of years of shadiness in political spheres confirmed that power was effectively centralised in the hands of a few. Then, how could it be that instead of empowering citizens through direct democracy and counter the hegemony of parties, we find ourselves trapped in a debate on the need for Proportional Representation. Somehow, the right message never got to those wielding power…

Issues with Proportional Representation
What we should ask ourselves is whether the introduction of the proposed amended electoral system would cure the most pertinent ills of the present one. Would greater accountability from MPs be gleaned out of it? Would it boost the number of competent figures and ensure that local concerns are taken into consideration? Would it help severe ties between corporate powerhouses and political factions? David Cameron, in an article for the New Politics series in The Guardian, highlighted that;

“Proportional representation takes power away from the man and woman in the street and hands it to the political elites. Instead of voters choosing their government on the basis of the manifestos put before them in an election, party managers would choose a government on the basis of secret backroom deals.”

Electoral Reform, the one which is needed, would scrap the BLS system, cure the political funding mess and ensure a greater balance between the Legislative and the Executive. PR is certainly not at the heart of pressing concerns for it would further subdue voter representation to party representation. Farcical it has been these last few weeks; People and parties with dimming political futures managing a last hurrah by making allegations of all kinds and belittling their former colleagues. And what about the people of this country? Should we leave buzz-seekers to cater for their needs or should serious members of parties finally own up to their responsibilities?

The case for direct democracy in Mauritius
The need for greater involvement of voters in the democratic life of our country is a must. If referendums on an occasional basis are a sign of a healthy democracy, then Mauritius as a democratic state has been in the coma for long enough to be declared dead. The ideal model would be one in the lines of the Swiss system where citizens are empowered enough to have their say on non-recurring expenses above a certain sum of money and can initiate new legislations and have the authority to amend laws.

Even more importantly, an open society would stimulate public discussion and would offer citizens the platform where they can vigorously debate government policies. This contrasts with the superficial democracy we presently have where involvement is limited to one voting expedition every five years and decisions are in the hands of a few political leaders. This greater participation can only be the harbinger for a country where there are effective checks and balances and corruption would sizeably reduce.

Politicians want an à la carte electoral reform. The people need control over their collective destiny.

Citoyen Engaz Toi!

Chetan Ramchurn

Reflexion


Depi mo lizier cynik…


Ban la apel sa politik
Kot to bisin fort dans fer coustik
Accepter gagne titre comik
Telman ena fois to archaique
Lindi to prend ban airs mistik
To denonce dan Maurice tous ban malefik
Ban voler, accaparer, corrompus ek sadik
Mardi matin ban financiers ki pna sens civic
Lor telephone pik toi kuma moustik
Dir toi ” Pas essay al declar sympatik “
” Dan to parti mem tone soutir tas diabolik “
” Pou nou ena ene sel ord economik “
” Pas bisin al bouskil sa, nec faire critik “
” Ler ban la pose toi questions caustik “
” Nec declare amnesik “
” Ou rode ene plas dan to clinique “
” Si to pas resi, nec invok ene clause juridik “
Mercredi to dan ene forme olympique
Tone gagne ene cheque avec ene som astronomik
Pou montrer toi concilliant ek garde ene relation idyllik
Avec ban lobbies ek certains clik
Jeudi to realiser ki sitiation bordelik
Morisyen p tourne en bourik
Li plorer sak fois li al la boutik
Ban prix ti siposer baisser in rest statik
In ariv lheur pou imper relations publik
Donc Vendredi to lance ene nuvo pik
Cont ban malad ki servi tou antibiotik
Alor ki to mem to parcours toxik
Ek to ban actions tou sauf angelik.
Lindi to prend ban airs mistik
To denonce dan Maurice tous ban…
CHETAN RAMCHURN

The Answers

The way forward

CHETAN RAMCHURN
(JEUNESSE MILITANTE)

No point in dilly dallying. Mauritius is sinking. Some will retort that
profits are on the rise, the standard of living in terms of GDP per capita
has bettered and the number of graduates is the benchmark at African level.
And still, I stand firm. This country is diseased. Indifference is gnawing
at this Nation’s Fabric. Solidarity and trust have gone missing from our
collective psyche, replaced by indifference and division. Lest, we become a
country where “One could not hear the cries of another”, there is the
need to renew our faith in change.

Our inability to be bold has logically dampened our resolve to attempt any system alteration. And since we were not courageous enough to fight against the capitalist doxa and corruption, we chose to embark on flimsy battles for quotas in an age crying for equal opportunities. The New Mauritius we need to federate around is one that is founded on truly empowered citizens.

What we need in today’s darkness is a new vision for this country, sustained by capable leadership. Not of the kind that talks left and walks right. But one that has the mettle to put its ability to test by displaying flawless transparency. One that is not obsessed with power and hides behind tinted windows in the air-conditioned limousines or cowers behind bodyguards when facing the public.

Starting with the mainstream political class…
Something is inherently wrong with a country when the quality of a politician is gauged solely on the ability to get buses filled to the brim with populist means rather than the profoundness of one’s thoughts and one’s ability to translate them into reality. Getting the black sheep out of this sphere should be the first of our objectives. Sieving out those that have plundered and continue to profiteer starts with the disclosure of assets by all those that are or have been candidates for elections at local and national levels.

attacks and the ban of racist innuendos with severe penalties if infringed. The incestuous relationship between private and public spheres would thus be finally put to rest. This moratorium would then come to an end in 2020. The latter would be the first general elections after a long time where parties would have to finance their campaigns solely with donations from individuals. Transparency could be greatly enhanced by finally tackling the political financing issue. 2015 could be the starting point of a new era with parties financed by the state. A watchdog organisation could be set up to set the rules that all parties have to abide by to be funded. This would ideally include the refraining from

The new public sector
Taxpayers need to ensure that they no longer settle for the minimum level of service offered. This can only be achieved through greater transparency on behalf of public bodies. As citizens of this country, we need to know how the police force is dealing with our respective localities. We need to know what is being done to tackle crime. With greater interaction and access to information, the opaqueness associated with public bodies would be curbed. In the same vein, the health care services need to go through some serious rethinking. The sole concern of most people has been the obtaining of free medicines whereas the overarching ambition of such services should be to ensure the wellbeing of citizens at large.

With the same philosophy in mind, the state’s role as protector of the people demands further efforts to break monopolies starting with the basic needs of people. This never materialised in the past due to lack of planning and foresight. But the motive behind such an intervention is a noble one and should be pursued by current and future governments.

The education sector should be revamped so as to reap individuals that can go beyond book knowledge to find creative solutions to issues. A more human view of education consists in having students stay in the same classes for as long as possible which would allow beings to cultivate a greater sense of bonding with their peers. Fewer hours in classes would undoubtedly do no harm to young souls in a land where memorised learning has been the norm for too long. Educators need to be at the forefront of this new movement and need to be given their due role in carrying out this task.

Wealth in the hands of the many…
Socialist parties cannot escape the debate on a more just redistribution of wealth. Would this involve additional levies on those that are at the higher echelons, or does this refer to constitutional reforms to reclaim land to achieve self-sufficiency in terms of food? Or on the Singaporean mode, should the State seek to have control over the most important firms of our island? Before pushing forward any such agenda, there is the need to educate people on why this is being done. Without resorting to division, with the help of thinkers and historians to understand why such an agenda is healthy for a nation that seeks to achieve growth for each and everyone, this battle for fairness will be won.

Our country’s destiny is in our hands. Let us be bold and brave in crafting its future.

From the poem ‘Biko The Greatness’ by Benjamin Zephaniah

The way forward is an endeavour by the Jeunesse Militante that seeks to create greater awareness on a number of progressive thoughts, views and ideas. We welcome your comments on nouvo.maurice@gmail.com

Depi mo lizier cinik/le mauricien 19.04.11

Reflexion


Depi mo lizier cynik…

Ban la apel sa politik
Kot to bisin fort dans fer coustik
Accepter gagne titre comik
Telman ena fois to archaique
Lindi to prend ban airs mistik
To denonce dan Maurice tous ban malefik
Ban voler, accaparer, corrompus ek sadik
Mardi matin ban financiers ki pna sens civic
Lor telephone pik toi kuma moustik
Dir toi ” Pas essay al declar sympatik “
” Dan to parti mem tone soutir tas diabolik “
” Pou nou ena ene sel ord economik “
” Pas bisin al bouskil sa, nec faire critik “
” Ler ban la pose toi questions caustik “
” Nec declare amnesik “
” Ou rode ene plas dan to clinique “
” Si to pas resi, nec invok ene clause juridik “
Mercredi to dan ene forme olympique
Tone gagne ene cheque avec ene som astronomik
Pou montrer toi concilliant ek garde ene relation idyllik
Avec ban lobbies ek certains clik
Jeudi to realiser ki sitiation bordelik
Morisyen p tourne en bourik
Li plorer sak fois li al la boutik
Ban prix ti siposer baisser in rest statik
In ariv lheur pou imper relations publik
Donc Vendredi to lance ene nuvo pik
Cont ban malad ki servi tou antibiotik
Alor ki to mem to parcours toxik
Ek to ban actions tou sauf angelik.
Lindi to prend ban airs mistik
To denonce dan Maurice tous ban…
CHETAN RAMCHURN

But the blame cannot rest upon you by Chetan Ramchurn on behalf of La Jeunesse Militante/ Le Mauricien 21/03/11

Dear Prime Minister,

This correspondence is merely our way of showing our appreciation of your actions over the last years. Humbled as we are by the magnitude of your body of work. Akin to that of Da Vinci’s collection where masterpieces stand next to each other…The Last Supper next to the Mona Lisa itself standing to another magnum opus in The Battle of Anghiari. Your répertoire being as rich as the Italian Renaissance Master, our concern is to do full justice to your numerous accomplishments.

2005 would be a good starting point. How you managed a tour de force return to power, surfing on talks of a new Mauritian society with less divide between the rich and the poor. And then, the culprits were judiciously found. Not profiteers that have plundered our island and continue to do so irrespective of colour or religion but the very niche segment that you referred to as “l’oligarchie sucrière”. Historically, the ravages of colonialism meant that you had solid ground to make your case. Still, it amazed us how you the Unifier of People would choose to part us. But it would be impudent on our behalf to question your strategy to create a more equal society.

When in power, democratisation took a whole new definition under your liberating influence. Progressives had dreamt of a society where the wealth in a few hands would be transferred to thousands of them and those suffering in our society would get to breathe. Still, the balance of power has not shifted as of yet…But the blame cannot rest upon you. We believe that the former Minister of Finance must have worked in opaqueness, not bothering to inform you of the overtly liberal nature of his measures. For, thou cannot be wrong…at least not in the eyes of the socio-cultural organizations that back you vehemently.

Another of your great successes lies in how you managed to create a dependent society with the offering of freebies to the population. How the empowerment of the people was often best aligned with its silence and passiveness. And it is best this way…For what would the masses know about hedging (truth be told, even experts in leading domestic organizations fail to master it as of yet) or sustainable development, or what would they know about the education system. The children of Mauritius are formidably equipped to learn by heart and not think too much. For thinking is no small matter. And there have been great thinkers during your rule. Too many to list in one article only.

Can we ever be grateful to you, the pride of Mauritius in Africa, for having done so much for the parastatal bodies? Placing only the finest candidates at the head of the country’s vital organisations. The CEB, Air Mauritius and STC to name but a few. Your greatness must have inspired them to perform so diligently, no doubt boosted by the spirit of patriotism to turn these organizations into modern, transparent and efficient ones.

But let us stop here. Lest we cannot contain our praises for too long.

God Save Mauritius.

CHETAN RAMCHURN

La Jeunesse Militante

* Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam GCSK, Saviour of the People, Our Enlightened Guide, Personal Friend of World Leaders, Proof Reader of The Minister of External affairs’s speeches and so much more.