This year 2007,today we celebrate at the same time the Chinese Lantern festival and the Indian Holi Festival.In Beau Bassin,this afternoon, I could continuously hear the drumming of the Chinese Lion dances and the firing of the crackers.
Whilst the meanings and traditions of these festivities abound on the web, I would like to highlight what aroused me on the Holi festivities:

Social Significance
Holi helps to bring the society together and strengthen the secular fabric of our country. For, the festival is celebrated by non-Hindus also as everybody like to be a part of such a colourful and joyous festival.
Also, the tradition of the Holi is that even the enemies turn friends on Holi and forget any feeling of hardship that may be present. Besides, on this day people do not differentiate between the rich and poor and everybody celebrate the festival together with a spirit of bonhomie and brotherhood.
In the evening people visit friends and relatives and exchange gifts, sweets and greetings. This helps in revitalizing relationships and strengthening emotional bonds between people.

Biological Significance
It is interesting to note that the festival of Holi is significant for our lives and body in many other ways than providing joy and fun.
We also need to thank our forefathers who started the trend of celebrating Holi at such a scientifically accurate time. And, also for incorporating so much fun in the festival.

As Holi comes at a time of the year when people have a tendency to feel sleepy and lazy. This is natural for the body to experiences some tardiness due to the change from the cold to the heat in the atmosphere. To counteract this tardiness of the body, people sing loudly or even speak loudly. Their movements are brisk and their music is loud. All of this helps to rejuvenate the system of the human body.

Besides, the colours when sprayed on the body have a great impact on it. Biologists believe the liquid dye or Abeer penetrates the body and enters into the pores. It has the effect of strengthening the ions in the body and adds health and beauty to it.

There is yet another scientific reason for celebrating the Holi, this however pertains to the tradition of Holika Dahan. The mutation period of winter and spring, induces the growth of bacteria in the atmosphere as well as in the body. When Holika is burnt, temperature rises to about 145 degrees Fahrenhiet. Following the tradition when people perform Parikrima (circumambulation or going around) around the fire, the heat from the fire kills the bacteria in the body thus, cleansing it.

The way Holi is celebrated in south, the festival also promotes good health. For, the day after the burning of Holika people put ash (Vibhuti) on their forehead and they would mix Chandan (sandalpaste) with the young leaves and flowers of the Mango tree and consume it to promote good health.

Some also believe that play with colours help to promote good health as colours are said to have great impact on our body and our health. Western-Physicians and doctors believe that for a healthy body, colours too have an important place besides the other vital elements. Deficiency of a particular colour in our body causes ailment, which can be cured only after supplementing the body with that particular colour.

People also clean-up their houses on Holi which helps in clearing up the dust and mess in the house and get rid of mosquitoes and others pests. A clean house generally makes the residents feel good and generate positive energies.

I have the feeling that our dear country needs to live more of the spirit of the Holi Festivities…..more so within the goverment majority.

C’est avec une grande joie, empreinte de signification, que j’accueille ce saint dimanche aujourd’hui. Premier jour ensoleillé après une semaine post Gemede maussade. Dieu soit loué ! Le 2 Mars 1947, jour de ma naissance était également un dimanche et la liturgie de la 2eme dimanche de carême, proposée par l’église ce jour là est la même d’aujourd’hui. Pour mémoire la lecture de la messe était dite en latin en 1947 et que peu de fidèles lisent la traduction. Merci chers parents, Papa et Maman, pour m’avoir donne le jour et de m’avoir bien éduqué et tout donné. Ils étaient bien parmi ce peu de fidèles choisis !

Maman dans une lettre qu’elle écrivit à son frère aîné, Ignace pour qui elle avait une affection particulière et une immense gratitude fit allusion à ma naissance en ces termes : « mon fils est né a l’hôpital de Moyen, tenu par le religieuses allemandes le jour de la célébration de la Transfiguration ». A cela Tonton Ignace lui répondit : « Heureuse soit tu car le fils que tu as donné vie, fils du premier fils de la famille, transformera ta vie et les relations avec la belle famille ».

Vraiment, ces paroles échangées à mon sujet, transmises plus tard, par Maman sont restées ma moto pour la vie. Cette transfiguration de Jésus continue de signifier pour moi : « quand on se laisse inonder par la présence de Dieu, Il nous rend blanc et éclatant comme neige et nous ne pouvons que rejaillir transformer de Sa lumière ». Ainsi ma mission dans la vie est d’être un catalyseur, qui au contact, avec la force reçu de Lui transforme positivement les êtres.