Blog: Unpatriotic Mentality

Part of the written media built up a huge publicity around the broadcasting of a feature on Mauritius by channel M6 that is broadcast by MC vision. Those behind that publicity relished with glee the fact that the feature would focus on the negative aspects of life in Mauritius.



Some bloggers added their voice to that joy and glee and were clapping that joy to the roof top. One wonders whether these people who live in Mauritius, who enjoy all that the State provides free of charge, who enjoy a freedom rarely seen in many countries of the world, who have reached a certain status in life thanks to the development of the country and the benefits it confers on them are conscious to what extent their unpatriotic behaviour disqualify them as worthy citizens of this country.

If these people are not happy they should just leave or better still join politics and openly come up with solutions that they believe would transform Mauritius into what they want it to be instead of hiding behind anonymity to pour senseless and vulgar criticisms on politicians and other people. These people pretend they are purer that the Vestal virgins of ancient Rome and find fault only with others. While criticisms and comments are an essential feature of any democracy an abuse of this freedom may itself contain the germ of its destruction.

At the end what M6 show us? Nothing more than what we know. We are fully conscious that there is poverty in Mauritius. M6 depicted that. It also focussed on a particular ethnicity. Is it the fault of all the governments that this country has known that this particular ethnic group is still struggling whereas other ethnic groups have made gigantic progress? Is it the fault of all the governments whether headed by Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, Sir Anerood Jugnauth, Paul Berenger or Navin Ramgoolam that this particular ethnic group breeds large families on account of a revulsion to well accepted birth control practices that are abhorred in the name of religion. Did M6 mention all that?

M6 also focussed on the wealth of a particular family. Is that fair? For historical reasons certain families have acquired immense wealth. Governments since 1948 have tried and are still trying to bring about a more equitable distribution of wealth. The Truth and Justice Commission is looking at aspects of how lands were unjustly taken away from the weaker sections of the population years ago. Is it a sin for Mr. Eric Guimbeau to be seen on a speed boat because he is a Member of Parliament? Recently a mentality has reared its ugly head and it consists in saying that a Member of Parliament, especially one belonging to the majority or a minister has no right to enjoy any luxuries of life. Some leader writers even refer to the blue label whisky  allegedly consumed by Navin Ramgoolam. Is it the business of anybody what a journalist or a stupid blogger consumes in his /her home or how he/she behave in the intimacy of his/her bedroom? When will that perverse mentality change?

M6 also mentioned the drug problem we face. That is the truth. Mauritius does not hold monopoly in either drug consumption or drug peddling. M6 should also look at what happens in Marseille where the mafia rules the drug world. Did M6 mention the fact that even the French bring drugs in Mauritius and that when they are caught they escape back to France without facing trial and that France let them go scot-free? M6 seemed blissfully unaware of the fact that we have a specialised unit of the police that track dealers and consumers and that help is extended to consumers? No doubt the task is a daunting one but the authorities are not sitting idle as some public writers who have all the leisure in the world to write a few words every now then after mulling over the next strategy to pillory the government.

The tragedy of the country is that many are complicit with foreigners to give a bad name to Mauritius. The problems we face are not unique to Mauritius. One guy wrote in le Mauricien of 14/03/11 of the following: "We love our Paradise Island, but we elect Governments who make Life Hell for us". One wonders where the hell is.

This is what the world renowned American Economist Joseph Stiglitz wrote on Mauritius on 7 March 2011:

"Suppose someone were to describe to you a small country that provided free education through university for all of its citizens, transportation for school children, and free health care-including heart surgery-for all. You might suspect that such a country is either phenomenally rich or on the fast track to fiscal crisis.

After all, rich countries in Europe have increasingly found that they cannot pay for university education and are asking young people and their families to bear the costs. For its part, the United States has never attempted to give free college for all, and it took a bitter battle just to ensure that America's poor get access to health care-a guarantee that the Republican Party is now working hard to repeal, claiming that the country cannot afford it.

But a tropical island nation of 1.3 million people off the east coast of Africa, is neither particularly rich nor on its way to budgetary ruin. Nonetheless, it has spent the last decades successfully building a diverse economy, a democratic political system, and a strong social safety net. Many countries, not least the United States, could learn from its experience.

In a recent visit I had a chance to see some of the leaps Mauritius has taken-accomplishments that can seem bewildering in light of the debate in the United States and elsewhere".

Of course neither our experts at pontificating in the written media with the assistance of their own particular brand of bloggers nor M6 are or care to be aware of such comments.