Entries Tagged 'Mauritius' ↓
February 10th, 2007 — Mauritius, People
Nicole is being treated for cancer.The evil has recently been diagnosed and the progress of the disease is said to be growing fast.I was shocked to hear of Nicole’s illness.
As many Mauritians who have migrated in the 70’s to Canada,some of her children now live in North America whilst Nicole and Maurice had elected to reside partly in Singapore and Floreal Mauritius for some years already. Nicole herself comes from a family with many children. Her sisters and brothers, most of whom are over 60 are presently living in Mauritius,Canada and Italy. How to keep track with the relatives and friends? The blog is the solution.
Reading Nicole’s blog allows the whole gamut of well wishers, relatives and friends to keep track of her progress daily.
Nicole & Maurice: Bon Courage, God Bless you. You are in my prayers.
February 7th, 2007 — Entrepreneurship, Mauritius
Would you be interested to have a non interested view of a fellow traveler on his latest appreciation or dissatisfaction on the services provided by the hotel you are about to book?
Vinivi a newly established internet service in Mauritius is now providing this service on line for 36 countries and covering over 19000 hotels or lodgings!
I encourage you to visit the site and to discover for yourself the benefits you could derive from its services. Furthermore why not encourage a Mauritian based enterprise to prosper?
I spoke today with the initiator of the project, Gilles Granger to inquire about his business model and his success factors.I leave you to guess his answers.
February 5th, 2007 — Entrepreneurship, Mauritius
The display at Walt Dinsey World, designed in close collaboration with Bat Conservation International Founder Merlin Tuttle, features two remarkable species: the Malayan flying fox (Pteropus vampyrus) and the Rodrigues fruit bat (Pteropus rodricensis). The Malayan flying fox, also known as the large fruit bat, is easily the largest of the world’s bats. Its wingspan can exceed six feet (1.8 meters). Never before has a bat so large been on public display in North America, and the effect on visitors is dramatic.
The Rodrigues fruit bat, though much smaller, plays a key role in the educational aspect of the exhibit. It is among the rarest of mammals. Native to the single Indian Ocean island of Rodrigues in Mauritius, the species seemed destined for extinction just a quarter century ago, when only 70 Rodrigues fruit bats survived. Intense conservation efforts and a captive-breeding program have increased the population to around several thousand. The legacy of this species’ return from the brink of extinction gives us a perfect conservation message for our guests.
The Disney’s Animal Kingdom has 20 Malayan flying foxes and 7 Rodrigues fruit bats. The bats, all of them males, came from the Lubee Foundation, Inc., of Gainesville, Florida, in 1998. The nonprofit organization, dedicated to conserving Old World fruit bats, was founded by the late Luis F. Bacardi of the Bacardi Rum family, an early and stalwart supporter of BCI.
The Disney Animal Kingdom is visited by millions of pet lovers per year. Has any Mauritian Entrepreneur thought of making use of this unique opportunity to reap in some economic value from our Rodrigues fruit bat?
Because of my wife’s place of birth in La Ferme Rodrigues ,I have a foible for the Island.
February 3rd, 2007 — Entrepreneurship, Mauritius, Reflexion
Today in Paris,The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) said temperatures were probably going to increase by 1.8-4C (3.2-7.2F) by the end of the century.
Dr Rajendra Pachauri, the IPCC chairman, said: “It is extremely encouraging in that the science has moved on from what was possible in the Third Assessment Report.
“If you see the extent to which human activities are influencing the climate system, the options for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions appear in a different light, because you can see what the costs of inaction are,” he told delegates in Paris.
Writing in the journal Science, an international group of scientists concluded that temperatures and sea levels had been rising at or above the maximum rates proposed in the last report, which was published in 2001.
The paper compared the 2001 projections on temperature and sea level change report with what has actually happened.
The models had forecasted a temperature rise between about 0.15C-0.35C (0.27-0.63F) over this period. The actual rise of 0.33C (0.59F) was very close to the top of the IPCC’s range.
A more dramatic picture emerged from the sea level comparison. The actual average level, measured by tide gauges and satellites, had risen faster than the intergovernmental panel of scientists predicted it would.
In my earlier blog in July last year, I mentioned the mitigating effect of global dimming.Now, the 130 scientists have statued: the net effect of global warming is greater than forecasted earlier.
Island country like Mauritius, where a large part of our economy is based on sea related Tourism,has to readjust its economic strategy. Soon,there would be a Carbon tax for airline travelers which will change the economics of traveling long distances and also an environment tax to be levied from those causing deteriorations of the global environment.
I wonder if the authorities issuing building permits on the coast will integrate these climatic changes to come :the rising sea level, warmer atmosphere, more violent winds etc…..”Gouverner c’est prevoir” I had been taught by my 6th grade primary school teacher Mr. Aime Laval to whom I am forever so grateful.
The entrepreneur in me sees opportunities to exploit, in the light of such future certainties.
January 25th, 2007 — Entrepreneurship, Mauritius, Reflexion
En 1806, était il possible de s’en procurer aux marché une volaille pour se nourrir et d’en faire une fête ? Peut-être bien que la volaille était de la ferme de l’éleveur ou alors la volaille été le produit de la chasse !
En 2006, est il possible de s’en procurer du poisson pêcher ou du poisson de ferme? Dans peu de temps, les produits pêchés de la mer ne suffiront pas. L’exploitation grandissante de la pêche conjuguée avec une baisse drastique de la reproduction marine résultera dans un déficit irréversible. O la ! Déjà les quotas sont imposés par les pays sensés et conscients de la situation critique de la pêche non contrôlée. La solution : l’aquaculture ou cultiver l’océan.
Je vous recommande la lecture d’un mini dossier qui parait sur l’express du jour le 24 janvier. Je me réjouis de voir l’évolution de la deuxième phase de la societe FMM. Red Drum semble avoir pris des ailes….Outre de se trouver à la table des convives de Maurice, Red Drum et Guele Pavee de FMM donnent saveur aux repas gastronomique maintenant en Suisse, Afrique du sud, les pays du Golfe, les états unis d’Amérique et le Canada. FMM a ouvert la voie me disait mon ami Jean Pierre H…, maintenant les gros captaines arrivent ! La bataille et le jeu d’influence seront pour les meilleurs sites ! Voila que l’industrie de la mer prend son envol. Petit Ile Maurice avec un champ d’action océanique très étendue ! Ile Maurice Ferme océanique d’envergure c’est mon rêve !
Deuxième phase de développement pour la première ferme aquacole
■L’aquaculture offshore, c’est-à -dire dans le lagon n’est pas inconnue à Maurice. Il y a les barachois du gouvernement et de certains particuliers qui alimentent de temps en temps le marché local. Le projet le plus important dans ce secteur a été lancé en 2002 par la ferme marine de Mahé Bourg. Des ombrines et gueules pavés (dorade royale) sont en effet élevés en cage dans une profondeur de 30 mètres à Pointe-aux-Feuilles.
La ferme produit une centaine de tonnes par an et vise à porter cette production à 500 tonnes cette année avec une deuxième phase de développement qui verra la mise sur pied de son usine de traitement de poissons. “Nous exportons en ce moment notre poisson tout entier dans du glaçon vers les états-Unis, le Canada, l’Afrique du Sud et Dubayy. Nos clients payent ce poisson très cher parce qu’ils importent la tête et les écailles qu’ils ne consomment pas. Avec l’usine de traitement qui sera prête vers avril, nous pourrons écailler et transformer le poisson en filets. Nous exporterons beaucoup plus et produirons environ 1 000 tonnes l’année prochaineâ€, nous a indiqué un Chris Lee, directeur financier de la ferme. La ferme marine de Mahébourg a commencé par importer des Å“ufs d’ombrine des états-Unis. Elle produit aujourd’hui ses propres Å“ufs d’ombrine et de gueule pavée. Elle ne peut cependant pas exporter vers l’Union européenne, son unité de production n’ayant pas été homologuée par les autorités européennes. “Nous espérons pouvoir obtenir la certification nécessaire en avril pour entrer sur le marché européenâ€, affirme Chirs Lee. La ferme marine de Mahébourg,, tout comme Velmar, producteur de marlin fumé, sont en fait victimes d’une énorme bourde commise dans le passé par le gouvernement mauricien. La faute pourrait être réparée avec l’aide d’un consultant néo-zélandais d’ici peu.
Cultivons l’Océan…notre Ferme Marine Bio et Ecolo!
January 23rd, 2007 — Mauritius, People, Reflexion
The most popular man person of France, Abbe Pierre managed to top Zinedine Zidane in 2003 as the most popular personality of France . This was quite a feat!
Today,he left this world. On hearing of his demise over Radio, when I got time, I took the opportunity to read more information about this illustrious personality. I was aware of his past visit to Mauritius ,when he left his mark by initiating ” Relais de l’esperance” and giving the impetus to “Abri de nuit”, both light house projects run by CARITAS in Mauritius.
From what I read on the net, his work for the poorest of the poor namely creation of the Emmaus movement , Foundation Abbe Pierre will perpetuate his deeds no doubt. We shall miss his independence of mind and frank speaking. He urged all of us to have compassion to each others and extend our help to the rejected of the society…Gays, Hiv infected and others…
What really was a lesson for me from him was his public admission of his weakness. In 2005, called often, a walking live saint by many, he admitted publicly having casual sex with a female partner in spite of his vows of chastity. He succumbed to temptations of the flesh…
Even saints commit sin: after all they are only humans! Immaculate is the term reserved to God & Virgin Mary the chosen by God!To have compassion, to care for your brothers,to forgive I thus conclude is the way of Sainthood.
Merci Abbe Pierre .
Streaky People
We generally divide people into 2 categories;saints and sinners. The division is quite imaginary. For one thing,no one really knows who the saints are and who the sinners are;appearances are deceptive. For another,all of us,saints and sinners, are sinners.
A preacher once put this question to a class of children:” if all the good people were white and all the bad people were black, what color would you be? Little Mary replied: ‘ Reverend Father,I’d be streaky!’
So would be the Reverend. So would be the canonized saints.
Attempts to hide the ‘streakiness’ of our holy people are sometimes successful,always dishonest.
This is an extract of the book “the Song of the bird” which is currently my bed time, resource and soul nourishing book!
January 20th, 2007 — Ayurveda, books, Mauritius, People
India without yoga could not be India. It may well be yet another gift that India has to offer to the western world. “Kriya Yoga brings about an integrated transformation of the individual in all five planes of existence: physical, vital, mental, intellectual and spiritual. Everyone can practice it and thus find happiness and peace.”
Yesterday, since I was confined to my room, during the day & because during the PanchaKarma treatment no one is not allowed to be exposed to the windy atmosphere, I did not witness the arrival of this large group of 20 persons strong at the center. I later got to meet and exchange with a few of the group who are all disciples of a yogi master who has his Ashram in Quebec. They come from all over the world in pilgrimage to south India with their teacher Marshall Govindan Satchidananda, who I saw from afar later at lunch.
I was told that the individuals of group come from all walks of life, all bonded by the practice of Kriya Yoga and meditation as revealed by Babaji. The world wide coverage of Marshall Govindan Satchidananda’s teachings & achievements, as seen on the net, seem impressive. Browsing at the website is well worth the while. Even Mauritius and Reunion islands are listed in the world wide contact
January 14th, 2007 — books, Mauritius
J’étais enthousiasmé de lire le livre de Jacques Attali : « une brevet histoire de l’avenir ». Un ouvrage de prospective, ou il appréhende le futur de la societe « hyper ».
Ce pavé de 420 pages se lit très facilement. Il n’a tenu en haleine et je l’ai dévore en quelques jours. Merci à Elizabeth Markevitch qui m’a passé son livre.
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Jacques Attali, au dernier chapitre, prescrit quelques actions réformatrices à la France pour se  positionner par rapport aux changements de la ‘9eme forme de  l’ordre marchand’ surtout dans le sillage des  présidentielles.
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Promouvoir les technologies de l’avenir.
Créer une societe équitable.
Renforcer l’efficacité du marché.
Créer, attirer et retenir une classe créative.
Renforcer les moyens de l’influence et de la souveraineté.
Faire naître l’hyperdemocratie.
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L’auteur m’a permis de vivre et suivre les différentes formes de l’ordre marchand depuis que l’homme est homme. Le parcours de l’Homo sapiens vers notre siècle est vu sous un regard evolutif, sous des filtres,temps en temps, humain, historique ou social ou geopolitique ou encore politique  et ceci contraste  avec le regard paleo-anthropologique que m’avait donne Pascal Picq il y a quelques années.
Sans conteste, le savoir partagé et l’étendu du travail fourni m’ont  bien enrichi. Je vous recommande de lire l’ouvrage vous les nouveaux nomades.
Et Maurice,notre patrie cherie dans tout cela?
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January 13th, 2007 — Mauritius, Reflexion
I was happily surprised to see in front of the treatment rooms where I was led to this morning,this beautiful design made on the door step. Made of colored sand,delicately drawn to adorn the entrance, I was told ,it was called a Rangoli. My curious instinct was immediately aroused. Soon after my massage and herb bath I immediately went for more information on Rangoli which,I found out, is a traditional Art form widely spread in rural India particularly in the south. Rangoli which is colorful, serves to welcome guests and put them in the appropriate mood as they cross your doorstep.Made from colored sand or rice they give the creator of the Rangoli great liberty of expression and improvisation in form and texture.
I had wish that this art be taken on board by Mauritians as a heritage of our mother India origin country of the vast majority of our population. Would it be possible to organise a national Rangoli contest on some appropriate Indian Festival day,like Sankranti (14 Jan) or Pongal(15 Jan) as called in the Southern Dravidian language?
I like this religio-philosophical definition. Like Hindu and Buddhist Mandalas, the reason for using powder or sand as a medium for creating Rangoli (and its resulting fragility) is sometimes thought to be a metaphor for the impermanence of life and maya.
Yes, this year I shall be feasting Pongal in Mysore. Day of worship of cattle and crop, Mysore will be dressed in its best attire I am told. The town will be decorated in beautiful colors even the errant cows will be painted!EllaBella will be exchanged and given to all guests.You may want to try out a Pongal sweet recipe!
I am so pleased to discover & deepen my skimpy knowledge of the rich and centuries old Indian Culture.
January 12th, 2007 — Mauritius, People
‘Always a foreigner’ was the words uttered to me by Nargis and her sister Nazlee yesterday. Both of them are now residents in London UK and may be British citizens for all intent & purposes. Yet, much like nomads they seem to belong to no land. Both sisters were born in Lamu near Mombassa Kenya of parents who themselves children of migrants from Kutch, Gujarat, India. Their family names were “Panju†which indicated their origin. Their forefathers were probably moved to Kenya under economic and social compulsion earlier in the last century. Even from Kutch where they were supposed to have come from they cannot find any trace of origin nor of identity. No parents, relatives and ties were to be found in Kutch. For the memories of the family, they only knew that they originated from there, which is confirmed by the language they spoke. Are they condemned to be without family identity source and to be foreigner where ever they go?
In India, even now they feel themselves to be a foreigner. Having lived in the United Kingdom for over 30 years they are definitely not in their homeland: the habits, accents and language are so much different.
Even in London were they live they are foreigners. Pakis or Indians they would be called.
Forced migration got them to move from their country of birth and where they grew up. Foreigners again they were in East Africa.
They just do not belong!
Funnily enough, “Always a foreigner†could answer some aspects to the discussions of Eddy Young’s blog set aflame with much passion since the start of the year under the title: What does it mean to be a Mauritian. “Where do we belong?†would be a more appropriate question. I believe that it is not the document or citizenship document that makes you a Mauritian: at heart where do you belong?
Would a Chinese, African, French or Indian at heart living in Mauritius be a Mauritian? No, they will always be a foreigner! Only those who “belongâ€, those who accept, cherish and espouse our beloved country and continue to work for its future are worthy to be called Mauritians.
Mind you, I am not in favor of the melting pot analogy to describe the Mauritian society. I prefer the Fruit Salad analogy where each fruit whilst being still distinct enhances the flavors the salad which by the way, may well contain in its self some of the jam made up of the combination of the different fruits.
I like to think that in Mauritius I am no foreigner! Because I belong.