Covid-19: Afterlife

“Stay at home” “Rest ou lacaz”: these words make the hashtags of Facebook posts, and they are making the buzz on daily news channels.

I can see how people are fed up of this confinement. “Ah quand nu pu cav sorti pual aster ene bon dholl puri dewa?” I can see the frustration, I can see the anger on people’s face when they cannot go to visit their relatives or their girlfriend! I can see the demotivation on the ado’s expressions and through the memes. I can see how people are complaining about not having enough food at home, how even prayer halls have been closed, how economic activities have come to a halt, how people were afraid of losing their jobs and not having their salary. I can also see teachers crying for help when it comes to adapting to online learning apps and I can see front liners risking their lives every day. I can see it all. And upon immediate reflection there is absolutely no good in this situation.

But I know that these things, you can see it too. We can all witness that. The wrath of this pandemic is like a tainted glass pane. And unfortunately only a few of us can lookthrough it. Can you see what’s hidden behind? Well, of course you will not, because you need a good pair of googles to do that and you know what’s that pair of googles? It is called positivity and new mindset.

If you wear positivity and new mindset as your pair of googles, you will be able to see through the tainted glass pane. You will be able to see through the wrath of coronavirus. You will see how the world will change, how our life will change.

I wore that pair of googles and you know what it showed me?

It showed me a different bunch of people who no longer being selfish. It showed mepeople abiding by the proverb sharing is caring. I saw people valuing their neighbors. I saw people satisfying themselves with a small piece of bread and only a spoonful of curry. I saw people being happy with simple non-branded clothes. I saw our rivers being clean again, the plants and flowers flourishing again, people being able to breathe the fresh non-polluted air again and climate change activists finally smiling. I saw people being patient rather than losing tempers, working hard at the office and knowing the value of their job. I saw people being satisfied with the amount of money they have in their pocket. I saw all of us being hygienic in all walks of life,respecting others and accepting one another with no racial or social status distinction. I saw people being treated equally, being self-sufficient and standing on their own feet. I saw the highest valued assets as improvisioning skills and creativity. I saw arts and crafts century reviving and cottage industries emerging. Above all, I could see people who survived, became stronger and living in a whole new world while starting a whole new life, modestly yet happily. Yeah of course, I couldn’t ignore the shopping malls packed, the long queues in the food courts and the shortage of cinema seats- this is normal because we missed that! But the mindset itself, will tell a whole different story.

You know why? Because during this pandemic, we have learnt the value of not having a piece of bread at home and going to bed with an empty stomach. We have learnt the pain of other people who experience this daily. We have learnt that we can lose our family at any point in time. We have learnt that the first people to come to our rescue for a pocket of flour are our neighbors. We have learnt that even if we are rich or poor, we are humans and are equally at risk of anything and that sometimes our money and power holds no value but our prayer does. We have learnt how it feels not going to work and sitting at home idle. And on top of that, we have learnt to appreciate every moment of this life because we understood that this world was never meant to be forever for us anyway.

Indeed, an economist’s perspective would be well different given the negative growths that will emerge. People stopped spending and many huge sectors have been shaken. But if we are heading towards a better future, are these losses still a high price to pay? Redirecting and restarting a new economy with new human values and mindsets as well as new ways of handling production, isn’t really that bad but still requires a lot of insight and audacity! And it is not impossible- either we adapt or we perish.

Dear all, we have now come to a cross road where we have to choose turning left and choosing the old ways or turning right to bid adieu to old habits and start writing on a blank canvas. If we succeed in giving birth to a new world after this confinement, we will indeed be winners.

For the first time since I was born, I lived without McDonalds, I lived without Jennyfer, I lived without Oreo, I lived without cinema. It was hard. It was depressing. But I made it. And this is when I realized that I wouldn’t die without these but what I really needed to survive was a piece of bread and butter. And to be honest, I feel grateful to have been in this mode because it was an excellent teacher to me.

All this time we have been saying we don’t have time: Our children asks us for a story telling time, we say we don’t have time; our mother tells us to stay a bit longer after the dinner, we say we don’t have time; our sister tells us to play with her, we say we don’t have time; our wife tells us to watch a movie together, we say we don’t have time. Let us look back- how was our life before confinement? How busy were we, how selfish were we, how blinded were we and how harsh we were to ourselves? This is the time. It is your time to spend with yourself, your family, your children and your parents. Although pathetic how we needed a small virus to bring us closer to our family, isn’t it a blessing in disguise? Reflect. It’s day 26 of confinement while I am writing this. Confine yourself but not your thoughts.

For me, sure it is.

Special love and gratitude to doctors, officers working from home, nurses, midwives, police, journalists, scavengers, teachers, shop owners, our government as well as each human being who are doing a great job and sticking together while staying apart.

Stay safe, stay blessed.

Hurry up! It’s call back time.

Hello people. Did you hear that ringtone? I bet many of you didn’t, because if you did, why are there still so many missed calls?

 

Since the 1800s, our world has started dialing your number for help. You didn’t pick up because you were so busy in your self development; industrialization. You were so busy trying to plan for a perfect future, making inventions to make your life easier. You found a way called deforestation to build houses, you found a way to make money by burning fossil fuels and building big industries, you found many ways for YOUR welfare.

 

The world waited, and did not call back. It waited for so long; for, patience is said to be virtue. You kept it on the waiting list, and it sacrificed a lot for you, because it loved you. But decades after, it started to become difficult for it to shoulder those burdens. The blanket around it, began to be compressed with abnormal heat and soon, the world was diagnosed with a disease called Global Warming.

 

The doctors, so called scientists, researched a lot about this new disease and they discovered that, this was caused mostly by some careless, if not selfish individuals, which kept on making an abuse of their power and intelligence. Smoke from cigarettes and industries, pollutants from big cars, burning of fossil fuels for electricity and excessive deforestation for thirst for more infrastructure and big apartments, were the main causes of this disease. And all the causes had something in common; the presence of the virus called Carbon Dioxide.

 

The world kept on calling, several times but only a minority picked up, which was not enough. The world needed all of you to pick up, but you did not and still have not. The disease is spreading at an unprecedented rate, the world is about to breathe for a last time soon.

 

Recently the world has collapsed; its so called lungs known as Amazon, making up 20% of the world’s oxygen, was on fire. The doctors say that the same selfish and careless individuals are to be blamed. Now Amazon will not only stop giving 20% of oxygen or absorbing 20% of carbon dioxide, it is going to release 20% of carbon in the atmosphere, worsening the disease.

 

If you think that you are living your best life while ignoring the call because you get your food, drink on the table and 8 hours of sleep every day, reality check; this perfect life is going to crumble soon because the world which is allowing you live your perfect life, is going to let go in the near future. You people, you are always choosing the easiest way, you don’t care whether this is an efficient way or not. You think only about yourself right? Well, stand up, look for solutions, pick up the call and help the world fight the disease, because if not, you alone are going to suffer. You are the one with power and with intelligence, so you are the one with the antidotes. Show the world that you care and you are not selfish. Show the world that it did not make a mistake sheltering you for centuries. Show the world that humanity is still alive.

 

‘There was a worldwide outcry when Notre Dame Cathedral was on fire. Why is there not the same level of outrage for fires destroying the rainforest?’ The era of #prayforamazon, #prayforthis #prayforthat is over now people, this time it is #prayforyou because the world will stop calling you forever soon and this will be your greatest loss ever. It’s now or never.

 

So, don’t wait for it to ring again, call back yourself!

 

*Want to know how to call back? First press the Google button, second click on the “solutions for Global Warming” button and lastly, click on the “implement everyday” button. You see? Aussi simple qu’un bonjour!

Stay blessed World and get well soon…

Making a heart-to-heart call to the youth

Dear youngsters,

It’s time for a wake-up call, it’s time for a change.

We live in a world where it’s okay to bottle ourselves up and put on a disguise.

We live in a world where we need to follow instructions, and act like another individual other than us, yet in our own skin.

What is happening to our young generation of today?

Where every day we switch on the radio and hear about youngsters like us being aggressive at schools.

 

Dear youngsters,

Why is it this case today?

Look around us, people are pointing fingers at our generation. But it’s not their fault, it’s ours. We are giving them the opportunity to, so what else do we expect?

We are promoting violence instead of promoting peace.

We want to be respected? Okay, so let’s be respectful and show respect first.

 

Dear youngsters,

Why are we rebelling?

Why are we showing the society a bad facet of ours that we actually are not?

Why give others the opportunity to talk?

Why do we have to do certain actions on purpose that tarnish our whole generation’s reputation?

 

 

Dear youngsters,

I know, we all know it’s difficult to cope with the fierce competition in the world of education today.

I know, we know that it’s difficult to cope with those problems we face at home.

But that’s life.

Let’s ask ourselves a question; is suicide the only solution?

It’s just insane to hear every day news about young people like us trying to end their life because they have lost 5 marks or did not get the result they expected.

 

Dear youngsters,

What’s happening to us, are we in our senses?

People in some parts of the world are losing their families in violent attacks, some don’t even have a drop of water to sip and some are starving to death. And we are here, making up our minds to attempt suicide?

No, no, no. Pressure is not an excuse. Stress is not an excuse. Work overload is not an excuse. Family problems are not an excuse. Suicide is not a solution, it is pure satanic manipulation.

Talk, speak, communicate, seek help, go out, do plenty of activities. That’s the solution.

Schools and society are here to help, not only to say “This generation is sick, it’s a bad one”.

Appoint psychologists at school, appoint security officers in institutions which can apply a brake to this generation’s “sickness”. Use your power for good, dear authorities, and help us out.

 

Dear youngsters,

We live in a world where we are taught to love who we are but at the same time, hide what makes us special;

Where we need to copy others, compete with others, to strive for perfection and not to say:” I want to be me and no one else”;

Where the quality of our words are no longer considered until these words become like others;

Where we are judged by the length of dress we wear, by the piercings and tattoos on our body or by the tightness of our jeans.

 

Dear youngsters,

I know, wars are being fought around the world but the real war is within us.

We lose this fight when we say, bowing down, “I can no longer do it, I give up, I cannot be unique”

Instead, we become voiceless ordinary specks of dust, merely existing in a lonely desert.

Our freedom is lost at that particular moment when we refuse to think outside the box and stay in our comfort zone.

 

Dear youngsters,

Social media has become the puppeteer of the world which manipulates lives and creates illusions; illusions which say we have no right to have flaws and we need to absolutely be perfect.

It’s a world where fake is the new real;

Where we are supposed to wake up with our hair perfect and our face flawless;

A world where we show happiness but hide the pain that peeks upon the cracks;

A world where if we cry, we are looked upon as weak;

A world where if we hold tears that are so desperate to come out, we are considered as uptight;

A world where if you fight, you are a thug and if you don’t you are a punk;

A world where pleasing everybody is impossible, yet that’s what we are expected to do other than please ourselves.

 

 

Dear youngsters,

We are not perfect; nobody is perfect.

We all have flaws and make errors, sometimes errors which are difficult to be forgiven.

But we cannot allow ourselves to bully others; making a person feel bad about himself while he may be repenting, is the worse crime that one may commit in the books of humanitarian laws. It’s a sin.

We are all one; it’s not the youth against the youth, it’s the youth against the virus killing the latter’s vibes.

 

Dear youngsters,

We have to realize that the most important kind of freedom is to be who we really are.

Because without it, we trade in our reality for a role.

We trade in our sense for an act.

We give up the ability to think and feel.

Our voice becomes voiceless and our power has no effect.

In exchange, we put on a mask, a mask of falseness.

 

Dear youngsters,

Did you know snakes nowadays don’t hiss anymore?

Yeah, they call you “bro, babe or friends”.

In this world we live in now, it’s difficult to find a true friend who won’t backstab you but fake ones are easier to be found.

They are always here to guide you, yeah guide you to the wrong path.

They are always here alongside with you, yeah with you only during moments of happiness not failure.

They will teach you lots of things, yeah teach you not mathematics but narcotics.

Choose your friends well or else you’ll experience the venomous bite.

 

 

Dear youngsters,

It’s undeniable that we all need an escape, a haven.

But why choose ephemeral happiness from something that fades to ashes?

It’s no lie, drugs will make your mama cry.

 

Dear youngsters,

This frivolity won’t bring us anywhere apart from painting our youth in red.

This phase of life is irretrievable.

We need to love ourselves first, for, self-love is primordial.

It’s got to happen inside first, one where you decide to be you, the person hidden deep inside,

The one with all those imperfections because in reality, imperfections are what define us.

There can’t be any change in the world until there’s a personal change on individual level.

 

Dear youngsters,

We need to remove the chain of illimitable competition around our neck before it strangles us so hard that we find it difficult to breathe.

Sometimes a certificate brings us to our dreams but sometimes it’s not the case.

Sometimes, a piece of paper makes no difference.

One may have graduated but waited for years to get a job, while the other may have no education but became a millionaire at 25.

Sometimes, all this means nothing, we need to prove ourselves to ourselves and not to society.

We should do things WE like the most.

 

Dear youngsters,

Click the refresh button in your minds and freshen up this mentality.

Let’s stand up against this spreading virus of “bad youngsters” and make our own good identity.

We are the future and a better future is what we all want, right?

Dear youth of today,

Wake up,

Make a change,

So that when the youth of tomorrow comes, they don’t need to.

 

Dear youngsters,

Are you with me?

Prostitution: A choice or a requisite?

She comes with her heels, makeup and attitude. Waiting for the next client, no one knows what’s behind those eyes.

We say that prostitution is the selling of sex. Prostitution is and has always been viewed from a different perspective. Rather, negative. We may be noticing that day by day the number of prostitutes is increasing. Late at night we may see lots of prostitutes in places like, Rose Hill and Jardin De La Compagnie. Prostitutes are most of the time called sex slaves and they eventually leads to disrespect towards women. These prostitutes are referred to as “tools”. Everybody is talking about one advantage which is money. This money is the root of all evil. Legalizing prostitution is biblically wrong and ungodly. Some religions do not accept prostitution and its concept itself. It is called “the dirty job” because those women are literally selling sex and giving their body for a pay in return. The reputation of the gender itself will be regarded with lack of respect. There exist also high class prostitutes.

But have we ever thought outside the box? Why does prostitution exist? We have the tendency to look at those prostitutes with disgust, but let’s think for one minute, if those prostitutes did not exist? Those men starving for pleasure, where would they go to satisfy themselves? That’s the main concern. If those types of people did not exist, there would have been more crimes and rapes.  Yes, they are getting paid for it, but why have they chosen this path only? We are living in a world where there is an almost infinite gap between the rich and the poor. In a house where the father is a drug addict and the mother has no work, what would be the choice left to pay for the education of their child or for their living? People who are uneducated won’t have any paid job. What can be the next best alternative? This could be a major factor of prostitution. If man knew how to do it, they would not have to pay for it. Prostitutions happen to you because you have troubles. In reality, I bet no women would chose to do that. They surely have an obligation somewhere. No one would love to be a slave and to be hurt. Perhaps, due to helplessness, the only means to get money is prostitution.

It doesn’t come to any conclusion that we should be for job.  If some are doing this by their own will, it would then be considered as ungodly. However, this job must be taken as last resort for those with no means at all. This was an only idea of prostitution.  An idea of how some women are treated in the society. Should we be somehow thankful to them? Should we clear this “nightmare” and make their lives better? What if “Coin Ideal” becomes really a “coin ideal”?

You people are wise enough to judge.

Didier, Dehors!

It is said that, a parliament is a place where the government takes a decision in favor of a country as well as consider the opposition’s opinion. But is it really the case in Mauritius?

Well, hard to believe but 2017 is a year to remember in the history of Mauritius. Maybe because it’s the first time that there has been a woman as a Speaker or maybe because of something else. We all know that each Tuesday there is a parliament session to be held. This national assembly has been present in Mauritius since 1992, when the country became a republic. Since, everything was done respectfully and smoothly, as per the rules and regulation. However, we say that with time men become more intelligent, but I don’t remember if it’s said that they become more excitable. It’s such a shame for our paradise island when we see people, every member of the parliament, is using villainous words, cursing and swearing. Big round of applause for them though! However, I may say they are tarnishing their own image. They have already made fake promises and also doing things which are moreover making this country an official zoo. How disgusting. If you want to fight, so please, go to a battlefield or whatever. In a parliament, this is not a way to talk or to act. Even the illiterate know how to behave in a formal assembly. Come on, you are not illiterates; you possess high degrees, right? So, why making such a mess when you know you are being watched life. Remember that respect is earned. On the other side of the hand, we are not in a class of 70 where there is always favoritism. We are living in a democratic country and the national assembly is a place where every decision is taken for the country, for it to be a better place. Nevertheless, we all enjoy our little home cinema every Tuesday, don’t we?

“Miss Shaistah, I order you out!” Oups…

It’s no lie, Drugs will make your Mama cry!

We say that a drug is any substance which when taken into the body has an effect on the way the body and brain work. Harmful drugs are substances which when taken into the body produce harmful effects.

Drugs themselves are defined as poison. They are man-made, that’s why they are called “synthetic drugs”. Heroine is a very harmful drug. It is an illegal, highly addictive drug processed from morphine, a naturally occurring substance extracted from the seed pod of certain varieties of poppy plants. It is typically sold as a white or brownish powder. Impure heroin is usually dissolved, diluted, and injected into veins, muscles, or under the skin. Cocaine is a drug that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. It gives rise to what has been described as a euphoric sense of happiness and increased energy. Side effects can include twitching, paranoia, and impotence, which usually increase with frequent usage.

Mauritius has been suffering from an epidemic of drugs. Children, most precisely adolescents, are being exposed to drugs whether in schools or at home itself. And all we can say as reason is “peer pressure”. Literally, this is not a valid reason at all. Peer pressure? Then ask yourself, where do these children get drugs from? Maybe they buy or steal from their parents. Then again, ask yourself from where do those merchants get the drugs? See? There’s always a connection. It’s like a puzzle and you must solve it. Youngsters are more likely to be affected as these scenes of drug consumption are seen in films and youngsters want to act similarly. Social problems include stealing money to buy drugs, neglecting families and spend too much money on drugs.  The drugs Traffickers are protected and there are masterminds who are protecting them. Ironically, their target market is the youngsters mostly. Our youngsters are being affected due to these drugs. Overdose of drugs like “synthé” are killing our adolescents. We cannot sit doing nothing. We must raise our voice and let them hear us. We are losing our citizens and they are not to be blamed. Fingers must be pointed to the law as the government must enforce the laws for those drug traders. However, the government is doing a great job by tracing some of them. Nevertheless, another villain has been introduced as Rambo and which has caused the death of a teenager yet. We really got to fight against all these and join the manifestations organized by the youngsters. Save our youth for a better future!

What about another way to solve this problem, Ganja maybe?

Marijuana refers to the dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds from the hemp plant, Cannabis sativa. It is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States. Its use is widespread among young people. According to a yearly survey of middle and high school students, rates of marijuana use have steadied in the past few years after several years of increase. However, the number of young people who believe marijuana use is risky is decreasing. This herb is a green, brown, or gray mix of dried, crumbled leaves from the marijuana plant. Marijuana can be rolled up and smoked like a cigarette (called a joint) or a cigar (called a blunt). It can also be smoked in a pipe. Sometimes people mix it in food and eat it. Marijuana can make you feel silly, relaxed, sleepy, and happy—or nervous and scared. It may change your senses of sight, hearing, and touch. Weed can make it hard to think clearly. It makes you feel like time is slowing down. Minutes can feel like hours. At the same time, everyday sights, sounds, and tastes may seem really interesting or funny. Cannabis can make you feel very hungry. You want to eat lots of junk food. Marijuana smells good… those who have tried it say that it has a perfect aroma and smells way better than cigarette. Indeed once you are tempted to taste that marijuana, most of the time it’s difficult to quit.

Why do people smoke cannabis? To get a feeling of euphoria, to feel relaxed, to kill boredom and to escape from problems. Of course, the ones who consume it are definitely unaware of the side effects of cannabis. Whether it is a drug or a herb, the problems to be faced are the same. Maybe, you won’t feel how it is affecting your health. The side effects include; feeling dizzy and laugh for no reason. Even when you are trying to quit you will be in a bad mood and hereafter feel the need of the marijuana. But, just like everything has its pros and cons, marijuana also has its “advantages”. It was found in a study published in the journal Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, that “Cannabidiol” has the ability to stop cancer by turning off a gene called Id-1. Analysis proves that marijuana prevents Alzheimer, kills cancer cells, decreases anxiety, and protects brain after stroke.

According to a recent article of Huff post Politics, agree or not, marijuana is way better than drugs like heroin. It’s different. Marijuana is a herb and a natural plant. On the flip side of the coin, we have cultures which implies drug dealing or to be more precised, herb dealing. Marijuana is not a bad thing either. It is a herb and it is natural. It is not like drugs. Moreover, marijuana or cannabis form part of the Abraham cultures who are the Rastafarians. For these people, Marijuana is a “good thing” and not considered as a drug. In fact, it is not a drug. In a way or another we must understand and respect their respective cultures just like others. For the Rastafarians, they perceive that depenalizing Ganja is their rights and will be fair enough towards them. Indeed there is a huge difference between legalization and depenalization.

It is said that people should be educated to the fact than marijuana is not a drug. It is a herb and a flower but Drugs take you to hell disguised as heaven. Drugs are a waste of time; destroy your memory and self-respect and everything that goes along with your self-esteem.

Herb is the healing of nation and alcohol is the destruction said Bob Marley.

I say that you don’t need heroin to be a hero!

Maurice, sapes comme jamais!

What’s democracy? It is the government of the people, by the people and for the people. Democracy is when the fools have the right to vote and dictatorship is when the fools have the right to rule. We all live in a democratic country. People vote for a person as PM when they have confidence in him that he will be able to govern the country. This can also be called meritocracy as they have elected someone as per his merit and know that he is eligible to take right decisions for the population. What if a political party has a majority of politicians and the PM choose to offer his seat to one of them? Yes, he can. Legally speaking, he can. What about morally and meritocratically? It’s true that people have elected someone else as PM and it’s the population who will have to decide if they agree. Elections must be given before taking such big step even if it’s not in the political party’s benefit. That’s how a democratic country proceeds. Now, should politicians search for own benefits or the benefit of the country for it not to sink? If that man is really doing politics, he will surely let the country sink because politics nowadays has a new meaning; power! If we need to characterize politics, then surely, it will all be about power, money and bribing. But you know what the bitter truth is; politics is when our leader puts his nation first and does all for their benefits. Our country’s politics is more of a political revenge and a political greed. And let the countdown begin!

There was once an old buddy and his money. He got elected by the nation and eventually obtained the most powerful political title. He carried with him his both faithful and disloyal pets that probably had knowledge of politics. A little introduction of his pets; they were of different races, chiwawa whose passion was to meditate, the one SSS who was rather Saudi race, the other one, KGB, who was the favorite and the old buddy’s agent, the Tam-Tam one and the “razoir” and the last one in and as sabse bada rupaiya! Not to forget the buddy’s junior, Pinocchio.

So that was the buddy and his pets but what about their politics? This politic was a game of promises which finally turned out to be a lavatorial joke. With lots of hope for a major change for development in the country, the population elected buddy and his pets. What happened next was really disappointing. Calamities occurred frequently and news of accidents accompanied us every morning while doing our breakfast. Our paradise island was suffering from a forceful drought and regular blackouts that the candle company was surely making great profit. Instead of looking into those matters concerning the country, Macarena seemed to be more interesting to them.  That was surely not a “nettoyage” of the country but a “nettoyage” of the other political records.  Buddy really showed us how much he cares for Macarena! However, the only one who had was voicing out was Raymond. Although his opinions were not taken into account, he kept talking and talking and as usual will keep talking.  And also, Buddy liked being sarcastic towards the media.  After some time, some of buddy’s loyal pets left him and he was quite shocked about that.  Maybe the pets sensed a danger or were looking for their own benefit.  Little by little, there was an utmost change which was announced by buddy; Pinocchio’s status drastically changed from junior to senior!

Now, where’s the democracy? Remember that everything is politics and that the ballot is stronger than the bullet. I have finally understood that the greatest power is not money power but political power.  You want your child to progress in life? Do politics! And if you know who is Buddy, hats off, you’ve learnt politics!

Asta la vista CPE

CPE- the small word which when taken before children, spook them in a way or another. Or I personally describe CPE as “Cauchemar Pour Enfant”. The stress that CPE brings along with it is like a tradition in Mauritius. The pressure that the children experience is really unbelievable. So many homework and class works are given and need to be completed daily that they must even stay awake till late at night. But along with their children, parents also are under a lot of strain. Each and every candidate gives his best to pass his exams with flying colors. We must still not forget the great efforts made by parents. They provide private tuitions for an extra. Efforts and sacrifice are made by both parents and students but teachers are the backbones of their pupils. Without them, nothing would be done. Their sacrifice and effort must be rewarded at the end of the day. Along with those efforts, children develop a competitive spirit instead of working together. Each student wants to perform better than his or her classmate during the exams. Children don’t have a leisure time and spend day and night revising and working harder and harder. For them, CPE is such a big deal indeed. The most stressful part of the CPE chapter is the day when children sit for Math exams. Not only the children but the parents as well are scared. Oh, that famous last question of the paper! Once the exams are over, another strain is on. Results! Parents early in the morning go to fetch their children’s results. Some parents are proud of their children while some are disappointed with their children’s performance. The children are placed as per their performance, merit and potential in respective schools. In a way, this could discourage or even encourage children to work better. CPE has always been something fancy in Mauritius. Started from the episode of ranking, CPE is now being abolished. With the invention of nine-year schooling, children will now be relieved and freed from the tension of CPE. They won’t experience this stress, competition and pressure. They will be equal and they won’t be labeled as per their school. However, I believe that everything has its pros and cons and I hope that the government succeeds in their project of nine-year schooling. Indeed those who have experienced CPE, know the drill! Congrats to the last generation of CPE. Nevertheless, those who have not achieved what they expected, then let me just tell you that it’s not the end, the best is yet to come.

After 40 years, it’s not just the end of an era but the beginning of a legend! Now that it’s the start of a new philosophy, let us wish those children all the best in the future.

So, Astalavista CPE!

Asta la vista CPE

CPE- the small word which when taken before children, spook them in a way or another. Or I personally describe CPE as “Cauchemar Pour Enfant”. The stress that CPE brings along with it is like a tradition in Mauritius. The pressure that the children experience is really unbelievable. So many homework and class works are given and need to be completed daily that they must even stay awake till late at night. But along with their children, parents also are under a lot of strain. Each and every candidate gives his best to pass his exams with flying colors. We must still not forget the great efforts made by parents. They provide private tuitions for an extra. Efforts and sacrifice are made by both parents and students but teachers are the backbones of their pupils. Without them, nothing would be done. Their sacrifice and effort must be rewarded at the end of the day. Along with those efforts, children develop a competitive spirit instead of working together. Each student wants to perform better than his or her classmate during the exams. Children don’t have a leisure time and spend day and night revising and working harder and harder. For them, CPE is such a big deal indeed. The most stressful part of the CPE chapter is the day when children sit for Math exams. Not only the children but the parents as well are scared. Oh, that famous last question of the paper! Once the exams are over, another strain is on. Results! Parents early in the morning go to fetch their children’s results. Some parents are proud of their children while some are disappointed with their children’s performance. The children are placed as per their performance, merit and potential in respective schools. In a way, this could discourage or even encourage children to work better. CPE has always been something fancy in Mauritius. Started from the episode of ranking, CPE is now being abolished. With the invention of nine year schooling, children will now be relieved and freed from the tension of CPE. They won’t experience this stress, competition and pressure. They will be equal and they won’t be labeled as per their school. However I believe that everything has its pros and cons and I hope that the government succeeds in their project of nine year schooling. Indeed those who have experienced CPE, know the drill! Congrats to the last generation of CPE. Nevertheless, those who have not achieved what they expected, then let me just tell you that it’s not the end, the best is yet to come.

After 40 years, it’s not just the end of an era but the beginning of a legend! Now that it’s the start of a new philosophy, let us wish those children all the best in the future.

So, Astalavista CPE!

slumdog millionaire

“A poor man is not the one without a cent. A poor man is the one without a dream.” Ladies and gentlemen, there are only two types of people in the world; the one who serve, and the one who is being served. Mankind’s two divisions are the rich and the poor. The gap between the two has stretched into its widest level. Typically, it refers to inequality among groups and individuals in the society and it can also refer to inequality among countries. The question is, “Is it still possible to break this growing barrier? I have seen so many people asking, “Why do the rich get richer, and the poor get poorer? And if you are one of those asking, let’s see if I can answer your question. I want you to know the major differences between the rich and the poor. What really makes the rich get richer and the poor get poorer?
First is their belief. The rich and the poor have different ways of thinking. Rich people believe that they can succeed even when no one else believes in them while poor people don’t believe they can. They depend on other’s opinion. Rich people can stand on their own but poor people can’t. Second thing is their plans. Rich people have their plans and everything they do is just part of the plan. They think before they do something and that is what poor people lack. Poor people don’t know what they want. They don’t have a target; they don’t have goals and just do something aimlessly. And when rich people face problems, they find solutions. They make decisions and adapt to changes easily while poor people will just find excuses for their problems. Rich people are not afraid to take risks. They don’t just accept opportunities; they create them, while the poor will just wait for some kind of miracle. They depend on winning the lottery, or getting a promotion when in fact, they are doing absolutely nothing. And I think the major reason why the rich get richer is because they want more. The major factors that are seen to affect the growing gap include innate ability, culture, education, globalization, labor markets, policy, taxes reforms, technological changes, racism, gender, inequality in salaries and wages.

Poor people are filled with hope and the desire to help others that are in need of
help. They are consumed with goodness and are always seeking to help out those on class.
The Mexican revolution is very good example of how, when in tough times, poor families
and friends stick together and help each other out. The people were searching for work,
money, and happiness, but were faced with many hardships along the way. Those who
were able to make it to their destination were not met with their fulfils but with the feeling of
being unwanted. On the other hand the poor welcomed each other and tried their best to
assist those in need of help.  Being rich causes individuals to abandon their values and be blinded by the fact that there are others in this world who are not that wealthy as you and who are in need of
help. Eventually people reach a point in which they believe that money should be obtained
regardless of the cost.

When we look in another perspective, we may say that rich people need poor people to work for them. Without the poor, most probably the “maids” as we say, the household chores would not be done. Sometimes, they exploit the poor and use them. But one thing that must be crystal clear is that we are not in the 18^th century when there was slavery. Make sure, you know that slavery has been abolished centuries ago… poor people are human beings and not our drudge.

The poor may have the smallest pockets, but they surely have the biggest hearts. The rich swell up with pride, the poor from hunger. Even a poor man can receive honors because a rich man is nothing but a poor man with money. Money can buy a bed but not sleep, a computer but not brain, food but not appetite, finery but not beauty, medicine but not health, a house but not a home, amusements but not happiness.  For the middle class people, they are always in the middle… maybe they live a better life than the rich and the poor!
Now, it’s high time for a big change. The generation has changed, so must be our way of thinking. To fight the poverty, we must feel the poverty. We must put ourselves in their shoes and satisfy ourselves with all that we have. Just for one minute, think of a poor man and you’ll be ok. Come on Mauritius, we have stood up, united, for the gender equality… now let us stand up again united to clear the gap between the poor and the rich. Let us seek out the wrong thing, and fearlessly put it right; and we shall then find that man is not so completely out of harmony with the universe in which he exists that thousands must starve in the midst of plenty, and that the actual producers of wealth in the wealthiest countries in the world must continue to live without enjoying a fair and adequate share of the wealth which they create. Whether you have a Maruti or a BMW, the road remains the same, whether you travel economy or business class, the destination will be the same, whether you have a Titan or Rolex, the time will be the same, whether you have Samsung, apple or no mobile phones, the person who calls you will be the same. There is nothing wrong in dreaming a luxurious life. What needs to be taken care of is not to let the need become the greed as the need can always be met but the greed can never be fulfilled.

God created us all with soil. There is no such person who is made with gold. Indeed, he can be embellished with gold, but once they are removed, the body will be the one made of soil. There is no such person whose skeleton is different. There is no such person who has a decorated and exceptional grave. We make the difference so we can of course make the equality.

Life is a dream for the wise, a game for the fool, a comedy for the rich and a tragedy for the poor. Happy International day for the eradication of poverty! 17/10/16