Entries Tagged 'Reflexion' ↓

Were the athletes of the older days better than today’s?

At the Rome event last week, only in swimming out of 32 events, 20 new world records we established. Is the physical competence of the athletes that made the difference? How much of the progress may be attributed to the improvement of the equipments and technology?

On the New York Times issue of this week, I read with great interest the debate on these issues and the ban of high tech material by the various Olympics commissions.

To my opinion, the events do not in any way minimised the performance of the great Micheal Phelps who I had the great pleasure in watching at the last Olympics in Beijing. It is normal that Phelps is out performed by others.

The technology race started with full-body suits in 2000 and progressed to the polyurethane-laced suits that helped Mr. Phelps at the 2008 Olympics. This year’s models are made almost entirely of polyurethane to reduce drag; they add buoyancy, and they squeeze the body into a streamlined shape.

Paul Biedermann, the German, swam with the latest swimwear; Mr. Phelps, with last year’s model. Mr. Biedermann didn’t just beat the American in the 200-meter freestyle, he annihilated him, finishing a body length ahead and lowering the world record, set by Mr. Phelps last year, by almost a second, an eternity in pool times.

Ps 23(22),1-2.3-4.5.6.
Le Seigneur est mon berger : je ne manque de rien.
Sur des prés d’herbe fraîche, il me fait reposer. Il me mène vers les eaux
tranquilles et me fait revivre ; il me conduit par le juste chemin pour l’honneur de
son nom.
Si je traverse les ravins de la mort, je ne crains aucun mal, car tu es
avec moi : ton bâton me guide et me rassure.
Tu prépares la table pour moi devant mes ennemis ; tu répands le parfum sur
ma tête, ma coupe est débordante.
Grâce et bonheur m’accompagnent tous les jours de ma vie ; j’habiterai la
maison du Seigneur pour la durée de mes jours.

Mc 6,30-34.
Les Apôtres se réunissent auprès de Jésus, et lui rapportent tout ce qu’ils
ont fait et enseigné.
Il leur dit : « Venez à l’écart dans un endroit désert, et reposez-vous un
peu. » De fait, les arrivants et les partants étaient si nombreux qu’on
n’avait même pas le temps de manger.
Ils partirent donc dans la barque pour un endroit désert, à l’écart.
Les gens les virent s’éloigner, et beaucoup les reconnurent. Alors, à pied,
de toutes les villes, ils coururent là-bas et arrivèrent avant eux.
Jésus, voyant une grande foule de gens sur le bord du lac, fut saisi de
pitié envers eux, parce qu’ils étaient comme des brebis sans berger. Alors,
il se mit à les instruire longuement.

En ce jour des obsèques du Cardinal Margeot que j’ai eu l’occasion d’assister à  la télévision, la cérémonie à Marie Reine de la Paix, une paix et une joie profonde habitent en moi. Dans la lecture proposée de la liturgie du jour, je retiens la notion de repos et Le Seigneur Berger.

J’imagine à cet instant, l’apparition du Cardinal devant notre Dieu pour ‘lui rapporter tout ce qu’il a fait et enseigné’. Le Seigneur lui adresse les paroles « Venez à l’écart dans un endroit désert, et reposez-vous un peu ».

Pendant toute sa vie, Cardinal Margeot ne fut il pas le berger du troupeau de lui avait confié notre Seigneur ? Ses œuvres qui laissent en héritage, resteront pour témoigner de l’amour du Christ qu’il a vécu. Ainsi, il reste présent dans nos cœurs et notre vie.

Aujourd’hui comme dans le psaume 23, il se repose dans la béatitude de notre berger suprême. Grace et bonheur accompagne tous les jours de sa vie ; il habite la maison du Seigneur pour la durée de ses jours.

Louange à toi Seigneur et merci pour le cadeau de la vie féconde et exemplaire du Cardinal que Tu nous as donné. Je te demande de m’accorder la grâce de pouvoir l’imiter dans ma vie.

I most certainly would think of Mgr Margeot as a charismatic leader. Whilst watching the acknowledgments made to this great Mauritian and seeing unreeling his works presented to us today by the press and TV through persons of all walks of life who had the chance to have interacted with him I asked myself the question: What the deeds of Mgr Margeot that made him such a great charismatic leader? He may have physically left us; his spirit still dwells.

I searched through my documents on leadership to be able to single out qualities and attributes which I would be able to name and model. I struck John C Maxwell’s article on Leadership which I found fitting. Since Mgr Margeot has achieved all seven attributes named by Maxwell I may safely say that Mgr Margeot was a charismatic leader.

William Gladstone and Benjamin Disraeli were two of the fiercest political rivals of the 19th century. Their epic battles for control of the British Empire were marked by intense animosity that spilled over from the public arena into their personal lives. Ambitious, powerful, and politically astute, both men were spirited competitors and masterful politicians.

Though each man achieved impressive accomplishments, the quality that separated them as leaders was their approach to people. The difference is best illustrated by the account of a young woman who dined with the men on consecutive nights. When asked about her impression of the rival statesmen, she said, “When I left the dining room after sitting next to Mr. Gladstone, I thought he was the cleverest man in England. But after sitting next to Mr. Disraeli, I thought I was the cleverest woman in England.”

What distinguished Disraeli from Gladstone was charisma. Disraeli possessed a personal charm sorely lacking in the leadership style of his rival. His personal appeal attracted friends and created favourable impressions among acquaintances. Throughout his career, Disraeli’s charisma gave him an edge over Gladstone.

Of all leadership attributes, charisma is perhaps the least understood. At first glance, charisma appears to be an invisible energy or magnetism. There is no denying its presence, but it’s hard to put a finger on its source. Some mistakenly believe charisma is a birth trait—embedded in certain personalities, but completely absent in others.

I believe charisma is learnable and helps to boost a leader’s influence. John Maxwell in an article examines the causes of charisma and suggests how to increase the charisma you display as a leader.

Charisma is “the ability to inspire enthusiasm, interest, or affection in others by means of personal charm or influence.” Leaders who have this ability share seven things in common:

1. They love life. Leaders who attract a following are passionate about life. They are celebrators, not complainers. They’re characterized by joy and warmth. They’re energetic and radiant in an infectious way. Look no further than the smile to illustrate the power of charisma.

2. They value the potential in people. To become an attractive leader, expect the best from your people. I describe this behaviour as “putting a 10 on everyone’s head.” Leaders see people, not as they are, but as they could be. From this vantage point, they help others to build a bridge from the present to a preferred future.

3. They give hope. People long to improve their future and fortunes. Charismatic leaders connect with people by painting tomorrow brighter than today. To them, the future is full of amazing opportunities and unrealized dreams.

4. They share themselves. Charismatic leaders add value to people by sharing wisdom, resources, and even special occasions. They embrace the power of inclusion, inviting others to join them for learning experiences, brainstorming sessions, or simply a cup of coffee. Such leaders embrace team spirit and value togetherness.

5. They cultivate other-mindedness. For leaders, the greatest satisfaction is found by serving. They find great pleasure celebrating the successes of those around them, and the victory they enjoy the most is a team triumph.

6. They find and use their voice. One expression bandied about by political commentators has been of a candidate “finding a voice.” Seemingly every candidate found his or hers.

7. They use their charisma to boost their influence for good. Charisma compounds a leader’s influence. Without it, leaders have trouble inspiring passion and energizing their teams. With it, leaders draw out the best in their people, give the best of themselves, and find the greatest fulfillment.

Charisma is not manipulative energy or a magical gift given to select personalities, but an attractive blend of learnable qualities.

Source: article written by John C Maxwell published in November 2008

Evangile de Jésus-Christ selon saint Marc 6,7-13.
Jésus appelle les Douze, et pour la première fois il les envoie deux par deux. Il leur donnait pouvoir sur les esprits mauvais,
et il leur prescrivit de ne rien emporter pour la route, si ce n’est un bâton ; de n’avoir ni pain, ni sac, ni pièces de monnaie dans leur ceinture.
« Mettez des sandales, ne prenez pas de tunique de rechange. »
Il leur disait encore : « Quand vous avez trouvé l’hospitalité dans une maison, restez-y jusqu’à votre départ.
Si, dans une localité, on refuse de vous accueillir et de vous écouter, partez en secouant la poussière de vos pieds : ce sera pour eux un témoignage. »
Ils partirent, et proclamèrent qu’il fallait se convertir.
Ils chassaient beaucoup de démons, faisaient des onctions d’huile à de nombreux malades, et les guérissaient.

La réflexion de Saint Gregoire le grand sur ce texte, reprise en partie, par mon curé de matin est intéressante : ‘Notre Seigneur et Sauveur, frères très chers, nous instruit tantôt par ses paroles, tantôt par ses actions. Ses actions elles-mêmes sont des commandements, parce que, lorsqu’il fait quelque chose sans rien dire, il nous montre comment nous devons agir. Voici donc qu’il envoie ses disciples en prédication deux par deux, parce que les commandements de la charité sont deux : l’amour de Dieu et du prochain. Le Seigneur envoie prêcher ses disciples deux par deux pour nous suggérer, sans le dire, que celui qui n’a pas la charité envers autrui ne doit absolument pas entreprendre le ministère de la prédication.’

Les événements de ma vie de famille, cette dernière semaine, m’a fait beaucoup penser à ce renvoi vers une mission à deux. Un parcours à deux pour le mariage de mon fils Olivier et de Kristel n’est il pas une mission à vivre ? Semer la charité à deux. La prescription du Seigneur de partir sans les encombrants soucis matériels n’est il pas indiquée. Dans ce monde où nous côtoyons des esprits mauvais, notre Seigneur nous donne le pouvoir sur l’esprit du mal, pourquoi ne pas se revêtir de cette espérance qu’Il nous fait don ?

Je remercie le Seigneur, qui continue d’avoir un regard sur ma famille. Je m’efforce d’être toujours en marche sur la mission qui m’a été confiée et garde l’onction qu’Il m’a comblé.

As you have probably learned the authorities are launching a program called Second Chance to alleviate the poverty and give a chance to the poorest of the poor.

« Autre mesure phare : la mise sur pied d’un Second Chance Programme , qui devait avoir été établi en janvier. Il s’agit d’un plan d’alphabétisation et de maîtrise des langues pour ceux ayant quitté l’école. Le but de ce programme est d’aider ceux- ci à s’insérer dans la vie professionnelle. « Ce programme a débuté ce mois- ci avec 220 étudiants dans 8 centres. Les étudiants vont bénéficier d’une allocation mensuelle de Rs 1 500 » , déclare le ministère de l’Education. »

I was very pleased to have been convened to a meeting of the evaluation to the team of social workers who have participated to the launch of this program. Caritas have been selected to spearhead this initiative of the government. Why?

The proposal of Caritas comprised 4 different elements that matches the needs of the sociological needs of the targeted population. Caritas have been working thereon for a number of years. Caritas have through the years researched the concepts and worked on the implementations required. Through a lengthy process of trials and errors Caritas have come up with a model that seems to hold the road.

‘Alphabetisation fonctionnelle’ has required years of research and the support of specialist in Education to be set up. The earlier research was done by Jean Pierre Carosin for 4 years and funded by Secours Catholique, later through Funds donated by the European community a specialist in Education of Belgian origin, Elise Ways was stationed in Mauritius for 4 years to carry on the implementation and development work. The objective of this ‘Alphabetisation fonctionnelle’ program is to fasten literacy for the underprivileged through a peer to peer learning experience.

Caritas spirit of Empowering the people by the people has always been present through the project. Caritas respects the freedom of the individual and work to increase the dignity and self esteem of the individual. At Caritas, every single human has potential of their own and thru his strengths other hidden talents may be developed. Sure enough the poor because of their conditions may have been disadvantaged Caritas‘s role is to empower them to bridge the gap.

Life skills management is another program which Caritas has developed using Covey leadership material as inspiration. There again, care has been taken to use a peer to peer sharing methodology instead of a top down, teacher to student teaching process. Learning occurs through eliciting collective intelligence from the group’s experience and building the capacities.

The two other elements of the proposed package are the value of work and personal and family budgeting.

Let us hope that Second Chance will bring some comfort and improve the conditions of the poor.

We are the world

We are the children

We are the one that make a brighter day

So let’s start giving

In 1985, you may recall the recording and publishing of this song that toppled at the charts. The revenue earned from this exercise was to raise funds to help the destitute children of poor Africa.

“We Are the World” written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie and recorded by a supergroup of 45 popular musicians.

In a few hours Micheal Jackson will find his eternal abode in the celebrity cemetery of Los Angeles Forest Lawn. Micheal Jackson made his mark in the world.

Last night, whilst having fun with my two grand children who are only 8 and 5, I asked them if they knew of Micheal Jackson. Surely enough they knew him and they eagerly attempted a few dance steps on his moon walking. I was not a great fan of his music but have to admit somehow my musician vibes were touched by his works and have vibrated in harmony on his top tunes.

Good bye Micheal Jackson and thank you for your contribution to world music.

Saint Syméon, déjà (949-1022) dans ses enseignements pose la question de savoir : est il plus facile de croire dans le Christ au temps des apôtres ou aujourd’hui ?

Croire en Jésus aujourd’hui

Beaucoup ne cessent de dire : « Si nous avions vécu au temps des apôtres, et si nous avions été jugés dignes de voir le Christ comme eux, nous serions aussi devenus des saints comme eux ». Ils ignorent qu’il est le même, lui qui parle, maintenant comme alors, dans tout l’univers… La situation actuelle n’est sûrement pas la même que celle d’alors, mais c’est la situation d’aujourd’hui, de maintenant, qui est beaucoup plus heureuse. Elle nous conduit plus facilement à une foi et une conviction plus profondes que le fait de l’avoir vu et entendu alors physiquement.

Alors, en effet, c’était un homme qui apparaissait à ceux qui étaient sans intelligence, un homme d’humble condition ; mais maintenant c’est un Dieu qui nous est prêché, un Dieu véritable. Alors, il fréquentait physiquement les publicains et les pécheurs et mangeait avec eux ; mais maintenant il est assis à la droite de Dieu le Père, n’ayant jamais été séparé de lui en aucune manière… Alors, même les gens de rien le méprisaient en disant : « N’est-il pas le fils de Marie et de Joseph le charpentier ? » (Mc 6,3; Jn 6,42) Mais maintenant les rois et les princes l’adorent comme le Fils du vrai Dieu, et vrai Dieu lui-même… Alors, il était tenu pour un homme périssable et mortel parmi tous les autres. Lui qui est Dieu sans forme et invisible a reçu, sans altération ni changement, une forme dans un corps humain ; il s’est montré totalement homme, sans offrir au regard rien de plus que les autres hommes. Il a mangé, bu, dormi, transpiré et s’est fatigué ; il a fait tout ce que font les hommes, excepté le péché.

N’avons-nous pas l’expérience des frères qui ont vécu avant nous pour nous éclairer sur la venue du Christ pour nous aider à croire ? Avant tout, je pense que la foi en Christ est un don de lui et que ce don qu’il nous donne n’est accordé que dans la mesure que nous y travaillons pour. A priori, notre initiative et notre volonté est requises. Certes, Le récit du passage de Jésus Christ sur terre est assurément très répandu : la foi est plus que de connaître un fait historique- le passage du Christ sauveur sur terre. Croire en Jésus Christ aujourd’hui , 2009 est semblable comme autre fois : ce qu’il nous est demandé s’est entretenir une relation intime et continue avec notre Dieu. La prière n’est il pas une conversation avec notre Dieu ? Peut on parler un être, pas le moindre, notre créateur,  que nous nions l’existence ? Il nous demande de Le reconnaître et de L’aimer en premier lieu. Est-ce que je pense assez fréquemment à Lui ? Ai-je suffisamment de consultation avec Lui ? Peut être suis-je trop imbue de ma personne pour croire qu’IL est la pour m’écouter et venir à ma rescousse ?

Marie-Noelle Thabut termine sa chronique Paroles de Dieu pour un dimanche de ce jour par ses paroles : Car celui qui reconnait sa pauvreté fondamentale s’ouvre à l’action de Dieu et se découvre alors des sources insoupçonnées. Pour cela, il suffit d’un peu d’humilité ou tout simplement de lucidité. A ce sujet St. Paul nous fait la confidence d’une parole reçue de Dieu : ma grâce te suffit :ma puissance donne toute sa mesure dans la faiblesse (2Co 12.9). Il nous suffit de « lever les yeux vers le seigneur » comme dit le psaume.

Q: Is there any research showing
that Transcendental Meditation,
by itself, can improve health?

Gary Kaplan, M.D, Ph.D., neurologist, New York
University School of Medicine: “Yes, extensive research
published in peer-reviewed medical journals shows this
technique markedly improves overall health. If you can
do something for 15 to 20 minutes twice a day that reduces
stress and allows you to be more creative and dynamic in
your activity—you have a key to better health.”

I watched last night on youtube David Lynch and a video by Fred Travis on the effects of TM on the brain.

Q: What is the difference between TM and Christian Meditation as taught by followers of John Main?

I have been practising Christian Meditation for a number of years; I can see hardly any difference in the practice between TM and Christian Meditation.

“Meditation is to the spirit what food and air are to the body.  We must come to
peacefulness, serenity and our capacity for true vision if we are to live in the
light of God.  Again and again the New Testament tells us that the light shines in
our hearts.  So we need only be open to it in humility and love.”
John Main OSB

However the intent of the meditation could be different. Both meditations are means to an end.

As stated in the catechism of the Catholic Church

• Meditation is above all a quest. The mind seeks to understand the why and how of the Christian life, in order to adhere and respond to what the Lord is asking. The required attentiveness is difficult to sustain. We are usually helped by books, and Christians do not want for them: the Sacred Scriptures, particularly the Gospels, holy icons, liturgical texts of the day or season, writings of the spiritual fathers, works of spirituality, the great book of creation, and that of history the page on which the “today” of God is written.

• To meditate on what we read helps us to make it our own by confronting it with ourselves. Here, another book is opened: the book of life. We pass from thoughts to reality. To the extent that we are humble and faithful, we discover in meditation the movements that stir the heart and we are able to discern them. It is a question of acting truthfully in order to come into the light: “Lord, what do you want me to do?”

• There are as many and varied methods of meditation as there are spiritual masters. Christians owe it to themselves to develop the desire to meditate regularly, lest they come to resemble the three first kinds of soil in the parable of the sower. But a method is only a guide; the important thing is to advance, with the Holy Spirit, along the one way of prayer: Christ Jesus.

• Meditation engages thought, imagination, emotion, and desire. This mobilization of faculties is necessary in order to deepen our convictions of faith, prompt the conversion of our heart, and strengthen our will to follow Christ. Christian prayer tries above all to meditate on the mysteries of Christ, as in lectio divina or the rosary. This form of prayerful reflection is of great value, but Christian prayer should go further: to the knowledge of the love of the Lord Jesus, to union with him.”

Mc 4,35-41.
Ce jour-là, le soir venu, il dit à ses disciples : « Passons sur l’autre
rive. »
Quittant la foule, ils emmènent Jésus dans la barque, comme il était ; et
d’autres barques le suivaient.
Survient une violente tempête. Les vagues se jetaient sur la barque, si
bien que déjà elle se remplissait d’eau.
Lui dormait sur le coussin à l’arrière. Ses compagnons le réveillent et lui
crient : « Maître, nous sommes perdus ; cela ne te fait rien ? »
Réveillé, il interpelle le vent avec vivacité et dit à la mer : « Silence,
tais-toi ! » Le vent tomba, et il se fit un grand calme.
Jésus leur dit : « Pourquoi avoir peur ? Comment se fait-il que vous n’ayez
pas la foi ? »
Saisis d’une grande crainte, ils se disaient entre eux : « Qui est-il donc,
pour que même le vent et la mer lui obéissent ? »

==========================================================================

Avoir peur équivaut à ne pas avoir la foi ? Ma mère avait toujours cette réflexion. Dans ses moments de doute et de peur elle me disait souvent, je demande au Seigneur d’augmenter ma foi.

Il faut se dire que ma maman a été élevée dans une ambiance avant Vatican II où un enseignement chrétien axé sur la terreur été de mise. La peur d’aller aux enfers était la motivation première du chrétien. La méconnaissance ou l’incertain donnait lieu à des doutes et des peurs que bon nombres de personnes exploitaient pour promouvoir des pratiques que nous pouvons qualifier pour le moindre en pratiques occultes ou de superstitions.

Exemple : les chrétiens allèrent à la messe chaque dimanche, parce qu’ils étaient sous peine de commettre un péché, ils s’acquittaient d’une obligation à ma messe dominicale. Les chrétiens ainsi vivaient sous la crainte et la peur de déplaire Dieu et les règlements prescrits par l’Eglise.

Par contre, nous pourrions voir la pratique d’assister à la messe dominicale comme le bonheur de répondre à une invitation de notre Seigneur de célébrer avec lui le grand bonheur de son amour avec mes coreligionnaires.

Qu’une espérance et qu’une foi infinie dans notre Seigneur m’habite pour m’armer contre mes moments d’angoisses et de peurs. L’Evangile de ce jour me redonne une confiance dans mon doux et généreux Jésus, qui me demande de me plus avoir peur, Lui mon Dieu qui commande la nature et toute chose, Lui l’omnipotent , Lui en qui je dois m’abandonner.

Watching the interview of AMY Chua in the Berkeley series ‘conversations with history’ was a delight for me. The over one hour listening absorbed me intensely and provided some insights which I could relate to in my working career.

First let me set the scene. What Amy Chua ‘Day of empire: How hyper powers rise to global dominance and why they fall’ has to do with the business of Rogers aviation of the 80’s and 90’s? To me, Amy Chua is dealing with dominating your sphere with hyper powers.

Here are some reviews on her book to have a brief view of Amy Chua’s thesis.

This analysis of world-dominant powers …

… from ancient Persia to the modern United States yields an intriguing set of common traits and progressions. Chua’s bestselling World on Fire: How Exporting Free Market Democracy Breeds Ethnic … more » Hatred and Global Instability (2002) led the pack in sizing up the backlash against global free-marketers. Now she examines hegemony and the handful of entities worthy of the title “hyperpower,” which extends to the earliest civilizations: Persia, at its peak under Darius, the Macedonia of Alexander the Great and, of course, imperial Rome. There are also some surprises: Ghenghis Khan’s 13th-century Mongolian domain, for instance, eventually extended from Vienna to the Sea of Japan, far exceeding any before or since in contiguous territory. And the Mongols did it without original technology or literacy, absorbing both from cultures that came under their dominion. Likewise, the Dutch Republic of the late 17th century, a midget among Europe’s giants, became so dominant in world commerce that it eventually exported a king, William of Orange, to England. The commonality among these empires, says Chua, was tolerance. They were diverse societies, harbouring—and exploiting—a wide range of ethnicities and unrestricted religions. The enduring model is Rome, which handed its adversaries a bloody defeat and proffered full citizenship the next day. The author notes that even China in its day of empire, the eighth-century Tang Dynasty, was a far more open society than it would be 1,000 years later. Tolerance alone won’t create a hyper power, though, says the author; the United States needed the collapse of the Soviet Union to achieve its status. Chua concludes that hyper powers ultimately tend to come “unglued” as a result of resistance to their own diversity. She cautions that the global rise of anti-Americanism today, which stems from attempts to export democracy in the service of self-interest, could be a negative sign. The author gives short shrift to forces introduced by petro-politics or the nuclear threat, but still an illuminating exploration of what makes a superpower.

Put positively, such hyper powers practice tolerance. As far as it goes, this is hardly an original observation, and while Chua attempts to offer solid examples from history of how tolerance helps build empires and how intolerance leads to their downfall, she is ultimately unsuccessful.

Translating back to my then work situation in business: Rogers Aviation was a super power in the field of commercial aviation in Mauritius in the 70’s through to the 90’s. Rogers aviation occupied 80 percent of the passenger ticket sales and over 99 percent of the air cargo sales in 1970. In a sense within its sphere I extrapolate, that Rogers was a super power. Just like any super powers of history, at a stage the super power must ask himself; “ how do I maintain my dominance forever?” I must admit that in the case of passenger sales I had no say in the formulation of the strategy. When I came on the scene in early 80’s, Rogers had lost on the passenger side its supremacy as a Super Power, the market share dropped to approximately 65 percent but on the other hand on the air cargo front it was different with a market share of over 90 percent.

With the strategic planning department of Rogers in the 80’s the team at air cargo took time to study the issue and devise strategies for Rogers to maintain a role of super power and continue to reap extra monetary benefits from this position. I was one of the proponents that pushed the thesis that our super position as super power is doomed not to last and that we had to look at enlarging our sphere by looking to conquering other areas. So there was a distinct, two legs strategy: on the local scene maintaining supremacy by joint ventures association and on the overseas scene conquer the regional areas. A smaller share of a bigger cake is better that defending our share of a small cake.

On the local front knowingly, we planned to reduce your dominance as the apparent super power by diluting our market share. One of the thoughts of that time was: the thousand of freight forwarders in the world will surely come in the Mauritius market to have their share. Will we fight them or make it easy to penetrate the market whilst retaining a fair share of the conquered market? Having experienced the fate of the passenger market we opted to control the market by making easy for our opponents to enter whilst taking a large chunk of their profits in the supply of other services. We were strategically tolerant would have been a Chua definition.

On the international scene, as we were not a super power, we had to use other strategies. We had to build our strength by working differently. In the hind sight, I have to admit that today, after listening to Amy Chua I came to realise that the strategies and mind set of our people on the international scene were not appropriate. More Guerrilla warfare strategy should have been utilised.

This strategy defined in 1980’s bored the fruits that we seeded up to 1997. Thereafter, the market situation changed and the new leaders at the helm of the company did not seem to have a clue of the strategic thinking needed to sustain the position of super power to collect the premium that the status gave you.

This phase of my working career will always be cherished. Thank you Rogers for these fabulous years.