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[Blog] Tourism: What they think of Mauritius’ offerings

guest — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 01:51:31 +0000

[Blog] Tourism: What they think of Mauritius’ offerings guest mar 17/06/2025 - 05:51

In an article published on 14 June 2025 on lademeureduparc, a French website dedicated to tourism, travel guides, and destinations, concerns are raised over Mauritius’ declining appeal among European visitors. Once considered the quintessential tropical getaway, the island is now seen by some as offering a dated tourism model, with a luxury experience that no longer matches global standards. Faced with rising competition from destinations like Zanzibar and the Maldives, Mauritius is being urged to innovate—through more authentic experiences, better service, and a refreshed narrative—to win back the hearts of modern, demanding travellers.

The full article is available below :

At a time when Mauritius basks under the sun, a sense of disenchantment hovers among European visitors. Once a symbol of a seaside paradise, the pearl of the Indian Ocean now has to contend with sharp rivals and travelers in search of new experiences. Between a somewhat frozen luxury aesthetic, evolving expectations, and more inconsistent service, the reasons for this disaffection are as multiple as they are surprising…

Mauritius, once the archetype of the tropical dream for European travelers, sees its appeal waning in the face of rivals brimming with new offerings. Decreasing arrivals, renewed expectations, a quest for authenticity, and a thirst for reimagined luxury: these are all signals that shake the beautiful island and worry both hoteliers and institutions. But to better understand this emerging disaffection, we must dive into the details of the grievances of a demanding, connected, and unfaithful European clientele.

A tourism model in need of renewal

For a long time, Mauritius charmed with the promise of a wise luxury, marked by sunsets over the lagoon and the proverbial kindness of its inhabitants. However, the recipe is wearing thin. European travelers, eager for discovery, increasingly view the Mauritian offering as frozen in a golden past. The hotels, although renovated, struggle to compete with the innovative concepts blooming in Zanzibar, Seychelles, or Maldives, where the villa with a private pool or immersive sensory experiences are the norm, not the exception.

Luxury: a global race that is accelerating

In the tourism sector, high-end now means more than the size of a buffet or the whiteness of a bathrobe. Today, industry leaders are competing in creativity: spas that incorporate preventive medicine, local heritage and gastronomy, extreme personalization of experiences, and hotels committed to the regeneration of the local environment. The European client, exposed to such standards elsewhere, sometimes laments a perceived dated offering in Mauritius. The lack of modern villas, the rarity of ultra-personalized service, or the feeling of “déjà-vu” in the architecture leave the most demanding travelers wanting more.

A service that is losing its magic

Does the Mauritian legend of impeccable hospitality have some hiccups? Over the seasons, feedback from some European visitors points to an inconsistency in service, less warm or professional than in the past. The reason? Many young graduates in hospitality leave the island to seek their fortunes elsewhere, forcing hotels to recruit abroad. The result: the language barrier is sometimes overlooked, particularly for a francophone clientele still attached to this aspect, as mentioned in various online reviews or cited by industry professionals.

The effect of “too much beach, not enough adventure”

Mauritius suffers from a postcard image that no longer fully convinces. Europeans, increasingly fond of active travel, dream of adventure, hiking, and authenticity. While the offering is evolving, it remains discreet compared to communications focused on the lagoon and hotel relaxation. Those who want to go off the beaten path or experience a cultural escape sometimes look elsewhere, as evidenced by the renewed interest in Corsica, which is very active in diversifying its tourism offering.

Formidable regional competition

The dynamism of the Indian Ocean plays a key role in the relative disaffection of Europeans toward Mauritius. Zanzibar, Seychelles, Maldives: these destinations show impressive growth and a fresh energy to attract globe-trotters. They continuously reinvent their positioning, embracing a confidently presented local culture, a diversity of experiences, and a proactive welcoming policy, vividly illustrating the new global expectations.

An international climate that is not always favorable

This commercial inertia is compounded by economic and contextual factors: a decline in long-haul flights, economic uncertainty, new visas, and administrative barriers complicating stays. Moreover, the opening of Asian destinations and the extension of the ski season in Europe encourage travelers to postpone or diversify their holiday choices, to Mauritius’ detriment.

An urgent need for reinvention

The island understands the urgency to reinvent itself: hoteliers, institutions, and tour operators are actively working to diversify offerings and rethink the Mauritian narrative in the 21st century. The promotion of heritage, local cuisine, ecotourism, or even the addition of new sports such as padel testify to a transformation in progress, but to regain its luster among Europeans, the island will need to go much further. As other players have already understood elsewhere, the travel experience is anything but static and must resonate with the new desires of a global, ultra-connected audience seeking differentiation.

Signs of hope and promises of renewal

Despite these headwinds, some players are lifting their heads and shaking up the routine: young leaders, agile groups, establishments with differentiated concepts. Trends for the summer indicate a renewed interest, proving that Mauritius’ charm is not dead, but requires a new narrative, less fixed in the seaside image and bolder in the promise of modern, connected, and daringly Mauritian hospitality. To continue captivating, the island must demonstrate that it can offer what the new generation of travelers expects: unique experiences, innovation, and authenticity.

To delve deeper into how the perception of tourism is evolving elsewhere in the world, discover for example the phenomenon of tourism in Corsica or the growing enthusiasm for tourist weddings in America.

Source: lademeureduparc

[Blog] "Prove me wrong, Naila: The facts behind Mauritius' 2025-26 Budget"

guest — Sun, 15 Jun 2025 16:07:08 +0000

[Blog] "Prove me wrong, Naila: The facts behind Mauritius' 2025-26 Budget" guest dim 15/06/2025 - 20:07

Naila Hanoomanjee, your dramatic “death sentence” label for the 2025/26 budget doesn’t hold good when you look at the ground reality. There are over 100,000 m² of vacant commercial space sprawling across Port Louis, Ebene, Rose Hill, and Curepipe. Your statement is more of a child whining for lollipops after a dentist visit! The electoral misfortunes of your clan is indeed hard to swallow.

There is no sudden policy collapse; it’s the fallout created by your previous government’s reckless building spree, backed by Smart City handouts. As a former political nominee, your outcry over the 10% registration duty hike and withdrawn incentives smells more like a desperate defense of vested interests than a fair take on the market reality.

The budget’s shift away from foreign investment will not kill the industry. It’s a long-overdue correction to a bubble you and your network may have profited from.

Let’s talk about facts. These vacant spaces, warehouses, offices, retail units, sit idle because demand, especially from foreign buyers, has dried up. Your post ignores how rental could turn this situation around. Leasing out existing properties, like the underused warehouses near Port Louis’ port or Ebene’s smart city leftovers, could tap and benefit local businesses and avoid the madness of new constructions. This isn’t just practical; it’s economic sense. Every new build gobbles up imported materials—cement, steel, fixtures—straining our already fragile foreign exchange reserves, with public debt at 90% of GDP and a 9.8% budget deficit.

The scrapped Home Ownership Scheme stings domestic demand for sure, but piling more empty shells onto the market would only worsen the import bill, not solve it.

And then there’s the foreign labor elephant in the room, which you conveniently sidestepped. Construction in Mauritius leans heavily on workers from India, China, and beyond—estimates suggest thousands are employed, especially on those stalled Smart City projects. These workers send a big chunk of their earnings home, siphoning off forex that could otherwise stabilise our economy. With repatriation outflows potentially hitting billions annually, the budget’s move to cool construction might actually ease this drain.

Yet, your narrative pushes for more building, which would just trigger more labor import, deepen forex losses, and leave us with yet more vacant spaces to maintain.

Your network’s panic about stalled projects and lost investor confidence rings hollow when the data shows a necessary market correction, not a death knell. Rental isn’t just a stopgap—it’s a strategy to use what we have, reduce import dependency, and curb the forex hemorrhage from foreign labor. The industry’s future lies in adapting, not expanding ad infinitum.

Prove me wrong, Naila. Show me how more construction, with its import and repatriation costs, beats repurposing the 100,000+ m² already sitting empty as well as the bare land.

NCR budget's bold land stance gives hope to our youths seeking affordable plots, not cronies acting as land dealers. I’m all ears.

Koomaren Chetty

[Blog] The scientist who spoke the language of the stars

guest — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 07:24:54 +0000

[Blog] The scientist who spoke the language of the stars guest mar 10/06/2025 - 11:24

Some stars don’t merely twinkle in the night sky - they shine brilliantly in our hearts and minds, leaving behind a legacy that transcends time. Dr. Jayant Vishnu Narlikar was one such star. A pioneering Indian astrophysicist, he not only helped unravel the vast mysteries of the cosmos through profound theories and equations but also possessed a rare gift for storytelling - one that sparked wonder and curiosity in countless young minds.

On May 20, 2025, India bid farewell to this radiant intellect in Pune at the age of 86. Though he is no longer with us, Dr Jayant Narlikar’s extraordinary legacy will continue to inspire generations of dreamers, thinkers, and cosmic explorers around the world.
A scientific mindset seeks truth through evidence and reason, challenges assumptions, and rejects claims without proof. This spirit of inquiry is the engine of societal progress, and Dr. Jayant Narlikar exemplified it not only as a pioneering scientist but also as a passionate advocate for rational thinking. With unwavering commitment, he brought the light of scientific reasoning to students and society at large, inspiring them to ask “Why?” and “How?” instead of accepting beliefs blindly. For him, promoting knowledge, education, and critical thinking was more than a profession - it was a lifelong mission to combat superstition, ignorance, and blind faith for the greater good of humanity.

Dr. Jayant Narlikar’s contributions to science extended far beyond the boundaries of laboratories and academic research. A gifted teacher, prolific writer, and passionate science communicator, he dedicated his life to making the mysteries of the universe accessible to the common man. Through his research and writings, he demystified the cosmos, revealing that stars are not merely distant points of light but gateways to understanding the vastness of the universe—and our place within it.

Dr. Jayant Narlikar was born into an intellectually rich environment. His father, Professor Vishnu Narlikar, was a renowned mathematician at Banaras Hindu University, while his mother, Sumati Narlikar, was a scholar of Sanskrit. This nurturing backdrop instilled in him a profound respect for knowledge and learning. From an early age, Jayant’s curiosity about the stars and the universe set him apart. His belief in the transformative power of knowledge was not merely a personal conviction - it became a guiding principle he passed on to his students and the broader public. Driven by a deep desire to explore the unknown, he pursued astrophysics at Cambridge University, where he had the privilege of working alongside Sir Fred Hoyle, one of the most influential scientists of the 20th century.

Dr. Jayant Narlikar, in collaboration with Professor Fred Hoyle, introduced revolutionary ideas that boldly challenged the prevailing scientific consensus. Among their most significant contributions was the formulation of the ‘Hoyle–Narlikar Theory of Gravitation’ - a ground-breaking alternative to Einstein’s general relativity. While Einstein described gravity as the curvature of spacetime caused by mass and energy, Hoyle and Narlikar proposed a radical concept based on ‘action at a distance’, suggesting that objects in the universe could exert influence on one another instantaneously, without the need for physical contact. Though controversial at the time, this theory opened fresh and imaginative avenues for understanding the fundamental nature of the cosmos and the forces that govern it.

Dr. Jayant Narlikar’s unique perspective on the universe was a continual source of fascination and intellectual inspiration. He championed the ‘Quasi-Steady State theory’, a bold and imaginative alternative to the widely accepted Big Bang model. The ‘Big Bang Theory’ is the dominant scientific explanation for the origin and evolution of the universe. It posits that the universe began approximately 13.8 billion years ago from an extremely hot, dense point, often referred to as a singularity and has been expanding ever since.

In contrast, the ‘Quasi-Steady State theory’, co-developed by Dr Narlikar, presented a radically different vision. Instead of a singular explosive beginning, it proposed that the universe undergoes continuous cycles of expansion and creation through numerous ‘mini-bangs.’ This model portrays the cosmos as eternal and self-renewing, a dynamic system in perpetual evolution.

Though not as widely accepted, Dr. Narlikar’s theory was ground-breaking. It stimulated important scientific debate, challenged conventional thinking, and encouraged researchers to broaden their perspectives on cosmic origins and the nature of the universe.

Dr. Jayant Narlikar’s influence extended far beyond theoretical physics. His research spanned the formation of galaxies, the life cycles of stars, and the enigmatic nature of black holes. He made notable contributions to our understanding of these cosmic giants and engaged with complex ideas such as ‘Hawking Radiation’, a theoretical prediction made by physicist Stephen Hawking in 1974. This concept proposes that black holes are not entirely black; instead, they emit tiny amounts of radiation over time and gradually lose mass, a process that could eventually lead to their evaporation.

A true visionary, Dr. Jayant Narlikar recognized the transformative potential of gravitational wave research long before it became widely known. Gravitational waves are tiny ripples in space and time, caused by powerful cosmic events like the collision of black holes or neutron stars. Dr. Narlikar’s early support played a key role in sparking India’s involvement in this exciting field of science.

First predicted by Albert Einstein, these waves carry vital clues about the universe’s most dramatic events and the nature of gravity itself. By studying them, scientists can explore the farthest reaches of space and uncover new insights into the origins of the universe.

Dr. Narlikar’s support for such foundational science reflects his deep belief in the power of curiosity-driven inquiry to expand human understanding, a legacy that continues to inspire and guide astrophysicists around the world today.
In 1988, Dr. Jayant Narlikar co-founded the ‘Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics’ (IUCAA) in Pune with a visionary mission to create a dynamic hub for cutting-edge research, intellectual collaboration, and academic freedom. Inspired philosophically by the Buddhist Eightfold Path, IUCAA blends modern architecture with Indian cultural aesthetics. It stands not only as a centre of scientific excellence but also as a beacon where science, culture, and community unite to advance knowledge and uplift humanity.

Dr Narlikar’s vision went beyond academic excellence to embrace inclusivity. He believed science should be accessible and inspiring to everyone, especially young students who might otherwise feel alienated by the abstract world of physics. By fostering a nurturing environment, he empowered a new generation of Indian scientists to explore the universe’s mysteries, significantly elevating India’s standing in global scientific research.

Dr. Narlikar was deeply passionate about inspiring children and the wider public to embrace science with wonder and joy. Through his lucid writings and ground-breaking research, he nurtured curiosity and encouraged readers to question unfounded beliefs. For him, science was not just a means to understand the cosmos, but a guiding light to navigate life’s mysteries and challenges.

Dr. Narlikar’s famous admonition, “You cannot divide by zero,” goes beyond mathematics. In mathematics, dividing by zero is undefined and causes contradictions. He used this as a metaphor to reject illogical beliefs, superstitions, and blind faith that ignore evidence and reason. By reminding people that “you cannot divide by zero,” he promoted a mindset of critical thinking and integrity that are essential for progress in science and in life.

Dr. Jayant Narlikar’s outstanding contributions to science earned him numerous national and international honours, including India’s Padma Bhushan (1965) and Padma Vibhushan (2004) for pioneering astrophysics. Globally, he received the ‘UNESCO Kalinga Prize’ and France’s prestigious ‘Prix Jules Janssen’. Beyond science, Dr. Narlikar was a gifted writer; his Marathi autobiography won the Sahitya Akademi Award—India’s highest literary honour—showcasing his rare ability to inspire both scientific and literary audiences.

Dr. Jayant Vishnu Narlikar’s life stands as a powerful testament to the journey of scientific inquiry - a quest driven by wonder, curiosity, and the pursuit of truth. He believed that science should be an inclusive adventure, open to all, regardless of background. To him, the universe was not merely something to observe, but a grand story waiting to be told. As he often said, “The universe is not just out there to be observed; it is a grand story waiting to be told.” Even a child’s simple question -“Why do stars shine?”- could spark profound exploration.

His enthusiasm, clarity, and passion for knowledge made him not only a brilliant scientist, but also a beloved mentor and a cherished friend to the global community. Though he is no longer with us, there is no doubt that his ideas, writings, and spirit will continue to illuminate the path of discovery for generations to come.

As we remember Dr. Jayant Vishnu Narlikar, let us honour his legacy by nurturing curiosity, pursuing knowledge with passion, and reaching for the stars with open minds and generous hearts. His life reminds us that in this vast and mysterious universe, understanding is not only possible—it is essential, so long as we continue to ask questions and remain fearless in our quest for truth.

Thank you, Dr. Narlikar, for unveiling the silent language of the stars and lighting the way for all who seek to comprehend the vast universe. Your wisdom and vision inspire us to dream higher, to think deeper, and to embrace the cosmos as a living conversation - one that continues to unfold through each of us.

About the author: Dr. Shubhankar Mishra

The writer is an Indian government representative serving as the Deputy Secretary General at the World Hindi Secretariat, Mauritius. A recipient of several prestigious awards in the fields of language and culture, he has authored numerous books, monographs, and research papers focused on education, cultural heritage and linguistics. The views expressed are personal.

[Blog] A new phenomenon: Permanent Storms. The case of cyclone FREDDY.

Dr Michael Atchia — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 05:32:47 +0000

[Blog] A new phenomenon: Permanent Storms. The case of cyclone FREDDY. Dr Michael Atchia lun 09/06/2025 - 09:32

Let us look out to the rest of our solar systems: on Neptune there is an enormous storm, spiralling, first seen in 1989, now alive for 35 years, possibly many years more (hundreds/thousand years?). Mars has intense dust storms, including some that grow to encircle the entire planet.

On Jupiter there is the Great Red Spot, a giant storm that swirls through the atmosphere of the planet, first observed by astronomer Cassini in 1655 and which has been raging continuously ever since. Scientists believe that it predates Cassini's first observation of it, and no one knows how long it will last. In 2013, it was about the size of three Earth diameters. A storm that has been alive for 350 years as per human observation. Jupiter is as old as the solar system, about 4.5 billion years old! This storm may have been there from the beginning?

Storms on Earth (called cyclones in the Indian Ocean and elsewhere, typhoons in S-E Asia and the Pacific or hurricanes in America and the West Indies) form, travel and then dissolve within a few days or at most one or two weeks. Freddy born early February near Australia (named on 6th Feb 2023) was still fully alive on 18th of March, 40 days later, thus breaking the current record holder of the longest lasting Storm (Typhoon John in the Central Pacific) which lasted 31 days in 1994.

Tropical Cyclone Freddy developed between Indonesia and North Australia, becoming a named storm on 6 February. It then crossed the entire South Indian Ocean before slamming into Madagascar on 21 February, and then on to Mozambique. Then it moved back into the Mozambique channel gathering strength. “Meteorologically, Freddy has been a remarkable storm”, WMO said, adding that its journey across the entire Indian Ocean and onto Madagascar “is very rare”.

Freddy has also set the record for having the highest accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) of any southern hemisphere storm in history, according to the US space agency NASA, referring to the index to measure the total amount of wind energy associated with a tropical cyclone over its lifetime. Freddy was the first tropical cyclone to undergo six separate rounds of rapid intensification
Are we witnessing new effects of climate change which are semi-permanent or even permanent Storms travelling around the Planet?

Research is urgently needed into the structure of cyclone Freddy. As to which factors have rendered it so long-lasting.

Added to climate change and global warming, sea-level rise, holes on the ozone layer, accumulation of CO2 and other greenhouse gases, pollution and loss of biodiversity, there now could be the danger of long-lasting or even Permanent Storms, all of which we have to learn how to combat and live with.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
2.Rise in Planet Earth’s temperature by 2.1 to 3.3 degrees C by 2050. Against what we, all 194 states on the planet at our COP meetings had planned through actions such as renewable energy use, reduction in CO2 emissions, reforestation etc.) of 1.5 degrees, such rise will bring much increased intensity of phenomenon like storms, earthquakes, drought and floods. With the necessary adaptation of our ways of life to include catastrophes preparedness and recovery.

Dr Michael Atchia

(Ex-Programme Director, UNEP; Ex President, Mauritius Academy of Science &Technology; D.Sc. University of Salford, Manchester, UK; co-author of Environmental Management, John Wiley, 1995)
mklachia@intnet.mu

5 June 2025.

[Blog] Suppressing voices against genocide

guest — Thu, 29 May 2025 09:16:12 +0000

[Blog] Suppressing voices against genocide guest jeu 29/05/2025 - 13:16

The Star of 25th May reported an incident which may appear insignificant but in reality raises some fundamental questions.

On 25th May, student Rifaida was convened to a state-run institution in Moka to receive her degree in Design and Innovation, conferred by the University of Technology, which she has obtained after much sacrifice and hard work. Proud of her achievement, she thought of seizing this opportunity to convey a message and express her solidarity towards the people of Gaza who are currently the merciless victims of a vicious genocide.

Every day she has been witnessing on TV and social media the mass murder of a defenceless people, the relentless bombing of their houses and burning of tents, the massive decimation of hospitals, health centres and other civil infrastructure, the annihilation of some 60,000 human beings, 70% of whom being civilians, mostly women and children. Only the other day, a couple of doctors lost nine of their children in a savage bombing of their home where the children were sleeping and while they themselves were busy saving lives in makeshift hospitals. We all have children. We all can feel in our entrails the unimaginable pangs of losing the supreme joys of our life in such merciless conditions. According to Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, Israel kills a Gazan woman every hour and a child every 45 minutes, all this with the dropping of 90,000 bombs which are 45 times the tonnage of nuclear bombs dropped in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. As if the ruthless carpet bombing is not enough, Israel has now imposed mass starvation on the people of Gaza.

Rifaida felt from the depths of her heart that she cannot be indifferent to such inhumanity and savagery being committed openly under the eyes of the whole world. Therefore, as a symbolic gesture, she decided to wear a scarf in the colours of Palestine to express her support for the martyred people of Gaza. This gesture is not unique among students. Throughout the world, students, especially of prestigious universities, are organizing sit-ins, protests, strikes, peaceful marches, hecklings and making use of events such as award ceremonies to express their indignation and horror at the open genocide being perpetrated by Israel. For example, the Hindustan Times of 30th May reported the brave action of an Indian student named Vegha Vemuri who, on the occasion of the award ceremony at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology, wore a red Kefiyeh, a Palestinian scarf, and denounced forcefully the abominable war crimes in Gaza.

In her speech, she said, "We are watching Israel trying to wipe off Palestine off the face of the earth and it is a shame that MIT is a part of it."

Hence, like her colleagues throughout the world, Rifaida, on the fateful day of 25th May, proudly wearing her Palestinian scarf, marched towards the podium to receive her much-coveted degree. Lo and behold, to her utter dismay, she was unexpectedly stopped on her way by a female official who ordered her to remove her Palestinian scarf if not she would not be allowed to go and receive her certificate. The question that arises is in what capacity and on what grounds had the person acted? Was it a personal initiative? In that case, an inquiry has to be conducted as a student has been deprived of her fundamental right to freedom of expression. If that person has received instructions from higher-ups, the question that begs itself is: is it part of a broader policy that is linked with the deplorable absence of Mauritius at the ICJ hearings when a slot was already provided to it to make a presentation in support of the motion of South Africa? If that is the case, then it is mind-boggling.

This Government comprises elements with strong sympathies for the Palestinian cause. One of the first measures taken by the MMM when it came to power in 1982 was to officially recognize the PLO (Palestine Liberation Organisation). ReA, a Far Left party, is in sync with all the oppressed people of the world, including Palestinians. Navin Ramgoolam himself, in a previous mandate as PM, took the bold step to freeze diplomatic relations with Israel.

Now that the genocide is hardening with the number of victims of Israeli bombings reaching more than a hundred some days, will NCR stand on the right side of history by taking the bold step once again? It is time for action NOW. Repeating clichés like support for a two-state solution is not enough.

As the famous Jewish historian, Norman Finkelstein, puts it, "it is not a Jew versus Muslim issue. It is the last great anti-colonial struggle against Western colonialism."

Azize Bankur

[Blog] The return to Chagos. Question? Are nuclear missiles and bombs stockpiled by the USA in the Chagos

Dr Michael Atchia — Mon, 26 May 2025 07:05:42 +0000

[Blog] The return to Chagos. Question? Are nuclear missiles and bombs stockpiled by the USA in the Chagos Dr Michael Atchia lun 26/05/2025 - 11:05

Ban The Bomb! Has our real concern about climate change, global warming, and epidemics made us forget the threat of atomic war? Having written on numerous occasions about nuclear safety issues in the past and being the author of the Nuclear Rectangle theory (a major nuclear war could modify the orbit of planet Earth around the sun), I urge readers to join the worldwide campaign of the seventies to “Ban The Bomb” and fight for nuclear safety. It is more necessary than ever today. At present, nine countries out of 193 on Planet Earth possess nuclear weapons (atomic or hydrogen bombs), namely:

Russia and USA (about 6,000 warheads each); France, China, UK (about 250 warheads each); Pakistan and India (about 150 warheads each); Israel: 80 warheads; North Korea: 15 warheads.

Are we reassured knowing who in these countries has their finger on the nuclear trigger? Donald and Vladimir? Narendra Modi and Shehbaz Sharif? Benjamin Netanyahu and Kim Jong-un? Emmanuel and Keir? Xi Jinping? Can we trust them?

With North Korea expanding its nuclear arsenal, other countries are attempting to acquire the bomb (Iran, for example?). On the positive side, four countries that formerly possessed nuclear weapons have given them up, including South Africa and Ukraine. A great fear today is that a terrorist organization might acquire a nuclear device, some of which are small enough to fit into a large lorry. Radiation is the greatest enemy of life, of all organic living things on Planet Earth. Remember the nuclear accidents at Chernobyl and Fukushima, where radioactive material was released and affected people, animals, and plants.

Consider these pertinent questions: Since radiation is invisible, how do you know when you are in danger? How long will this danger persist? How can you reduce the hazard to yourself and your family? What level of exposure is safe? What are the potential risks of acute and chronic exposures? What are the related consequential damages of exposure? How do you rebuild a healthy way of life in the aftermath of a nuclear disaster? Only a Geiger counter can measure atomic radiation.

Only one country: The United States detonated two atomic bombs over the Japanese cities of Hiroshima (on 6 August) and Nagasaki (on 9 August) 1945. The two bombs killed an estimated 130,000 and 225,000 people respectively, most of whom were civilians. Half of these deaths occurred at the moment the bombs exploded, the remainder over the next 2 to 4 months due to radiation and burns. The USA remains the only country to have used nuclear weapons to destroy cities and structures and inflict death, admittedly in an armed conflict. Japan surrendered to the Allies on August 15, six days after the bombing of Nagasaki, effectively ending World War II.

A pertinent question for us: Are nuclear missiles and bombs stockpiled by the USA in the Chagos? Should the Chagos islands be thoroughly, scientifically, checked before our people move back?

Before we bring and lodge tourists there?

Before we start the harvesting of the huge amount of natural resources (fish, sea life, minerals etc.) of the hundreds of thousands of sq. km of EEZ which are now ours?

Never again to deadly destruction of humanity, through wars (e.g., during the 30 or so wars of the 20th century, two of them World Wars, 100 million people were killed); genocides (such as the Nazis on Jews which eliminated 6 million people, the Rwandan genocide with 850,000 people murdered, and the present one in Gaza, which must be stopped); epidemics (e.g., the Black Death in the Middle Ages, the Spanish flu which infected 500 million people, one-third of the world’s population, leading to at least 50 million deaths, the Covid-19 pandemic with 19 million infected and 700,000 deaths); technology (e.g., the 1.35 million people who die each year from road traffic crashes, the 250,000 yearly gun deaths worldwide; collectively substance abuse, including smoking, alcohol, and illicit drug use, kills 11 million people each year); nuclear bombs (e.g., the 355,000 people who died in 1945 when two atomic bombs were dropped on them).

We must pray for the world to control this madness of making and stockpiling nuclear weapons, which can make some parts of the planet uninhabitable (like the Bikini Atoll part of the Marshall archipelago in the Pacific OCEAN, where the USA started nuclear tests on July 1, 1946, after the inhabitants were forcibly removed, detonated their first hydrogen bombs from 1952 to 1958. The inhabitants HAD BEEN FORCEFULLY moved into EXILE elsewhere on a handful of other Marshallese islands and in the United States. (As were the Chagossians forcefully moved to Mauritius).

IN THE CASE OF THESE BIKINIANS, after many years in exile they were allowed to return to their islands. (Like the Chagossians will do now from their exile in Mauritius, Seychelles and in some cases UK). These Bikinians islanders were allowed to move back to the BIKINI ATOLLS, but the radioactivity situation had not been fully checked. They settled, started fishing and agriculture, including the planting of breadfruit (called fruit-à-pain in Mauritius) their staple diet, but after a year many started to fall sick. Some radioactivity had remained in the deep soil, undetected, some with a half-life of thousands of years. Bikini Atoll contained a variety of radioactive isotopes, including caesium, strontium, cobalt, americium, and plutonium, directly because of US nuclear testing conducted there. Particularly bad are the high levels of caesium, associated with groundwater and surface water. SO, THE ISLANDERS HAD TO BE MOVED INTO EXILE ONCE AGAIN, THIS TIME NEVER TO RETURN TO THEIR NATIVE BIKINI AGAIN!

Does anyone live in Bikini Atoll now? No, but around 800 Bikinians live on Kili, 2,550 on Majuro, 300 on Ejit, and 350 in other parts of the Marshall Islands. About 1,400 Bikinians live in the United States or other countries. Today, Bikini Atoll remains uninhabited. Local on-island infrastructure is maintained by a small caretaker workforce.

Dr Michael Atchia
Former United Nations Programme Director

[Blog] The Final Solution

Dr Michael Atchia — Thu, 22 May 2025 04:27:01 +0000

[Blog] The Final Solution Dr Michael Atchia jeu 22/05/2025 - 08:27

The 1941 Final Solution was a plan orchestrated by Nazi Germany during World War II. The 2022– 25 Final Solution is a plan orchestrated by Israel. In both cases, the final aim is the elimination, by murder or starvation, of an entire population (the Jews in Hitler’s plan, the Palestinians in Netanyahu’s plan).

The Final Solution was a plan orchestrated by Nazi Germany during World War II for the genocide of individuals they defined as Jews. The “Final Solution to the Jewish question” was the official code name for the murder of all Jews within reach, which was not restricted to the European continent. This policy of deliberate and systematic genocide across German-occupied Europe was formulated in procedural and geopolitical terms by

Nazi leadership in January 1942 and culminated in the Holocaust. It saw the murder of 90% of Polish Jews, and two-thirds of the Jewish population of Europe.

Israel is attempting the genocide of the Palestinian people in Gaza by destroying most schools, most hospitals, most housing, most roads, most production systems, and attempting to starve the population of Gaza/Palestine. The final act in their Final Solution is to occupy the entire Gaza area and, as has started, move all people to homelessness, hunger and eventual death. This action of Israel constitutes a war crime and genocide. It is a monstrous genocide of human beings for baseless political reasons, carried out with guns and missiles mainly provided by the USA.

We mourn the 53,000 Palestinians, including 20,000 women and children, killed in the last 24 months, as well as more than 100,000 people injured, and the more than 12,000 missing. We also mourn the toll on Israelis killed, numbering 1,200 — a sad tragedy of human wickedness.

The Israelis have now adopted Hitler’s solution of 1941, namely the ghetto solution — i.e. confining all Gazans into small defined areas. Remember the Warsaw Ghetto. The UN Under-Secretary-General said today that 14,000 babies in Gaza risk death if food aid does not reach them.

The UN and all nations of the world must assist in the movement to feed the people of Gaza (reduced to starvation by Israel in its genocide attempt) and start the reconstruction of habitats, schools, hospitals, production and commercial structures, roads, communications, etc. In fact, to rebuild everything.

Every nation in the world must now put pressure on Israel for an immediate ceasefire, to stop immediately the killing by guns and missiles of men, women and children, and the destruction of schools, hospitals, supplies, housing, and other infrastructure.

How can the world — we humans — stand by and allow Israel to continue perpetrating this genocide of Palestinians, as the rest of the world did in the 1940s when Hitler did the same to the Jewish people?

[Blog] Œil de Lynx : Le défi du Budget 2025-2026 de Navin Ramgoolam (1)

Malenn Oodiah — Fri, 16 May 2025 04:19:45 +0000

[Blog] Œil de Lynx : Le défi du Budget 2025-2026 de Navin Ramgoolam (1) Malenn Oodiah ven 16/05/2025 - 08:19

Par Malenn Oodiah

À l’approche d’un Budget 2025-2026 annoncé comme difficile, l’enjeu est immense face à l’endettement, aux inégalités
persistantes et à l’absence de propositions crédibles dans un contexte incertain.

Dans moins d’un mois, le Dr Navin Ramgoolam, Premier ministre et ministre des Finances, va présenter le Budget 2025-2026. Ses proches collaborateurs et lui ont bien entamé les consultations prébudgétaires et budgétaires. Il a prévenu, de même que P. Bérenger, que ce sera un budget difficile. D. Dhamry, ministre délégué des Finances, a multiplié les déclarations lors de ses nombreuses sessions de travail dans le cadre des consultations. Dans ses déclarations, on trouve un mélange de banalités, des remarques s’apparentant à des positions « dekouver lamerik lor map ». On retrouve parfois un peu de réalisme et de bon sens.

D. Dhamry doit sûrement mesurer le poids des responsabilités qui pèsent sur ses épaules et qu’il va être redevable de l’efficacité du budget auprès de ses nombreux interlocuteurs, compte tenu de ses propos et engagements.

Un budget difficile veut dire un sérieux problème pour financer les mesures et initiatives. C’est le cas avec l’endettement qui s’est aggravé durant ces trois derniers mois.

L’économie mauricienne est loin d’avoir résolu la problématique des inégalités, de la précarité, de la pauvreté et autres problématiques structurelles. Resistans ek Alternativ, dans l’Alliance du changement, a pris avec Ashok Soubron et Kugan Parapen la lourde responsabilité du volet de l’intégration sociale du modèle de développement socio-économique en cours.

L’itinéraire de Rezistans ek Alternativ témoigne de la sincérité de l’engagement de sa lutte aux côtés des travailleurs et d’autres causes : mauricianisme, écologie. Il y a aussi, toutefois, les dures réalités, notamment sur l’économie, mais aussi les problèmes structurels associés à la démographie.

Notre engagement citoyen au sein de la Fondation Espoir Développement (FED), avec comme projets phares PEJ et Local Hands, nous a permis, pendant plus de vingt ans, de mesurer la complexité pour faire avancer les choses. Cette année, comme les années précédentes, nous avons eu droit au traditionnel shopping list venant des organisations, faisant fi du caractère inédit de l’écosystème de l’environnement économique mondial.

Visiblement, la prise de conscience de la nécessité de penser pour agir autrement afin de relever les nouveaux défis n’est pas à la hauteur des enjeux. Durant les cinq dernières années, nous ne nous sommes pas contentés de dénoncer et de critiquer. Nous nous sommes donné les moyens pour nous pencher et plonger dans la réflexion et l’analyse des nombreuses problématiques qui traversent notre société. Cet exercice, qui se voulait rigoureux et responsable, a donné lieu à deux publications en mai 2022 et septembre 2024, respectivement – Pour une révolution tranquille et MANIFESTE DE L’AVENIR.

Lors de leurs préparations, nous avons pris pleinement conscience de la nature complexe des problématiques, ainsi que de l’absence de prise de conscience des acteurs, dont les politiques.

Dans l’échiquier dévasté par les élections générales de novembre 2024 et les municipales de mai 2025… à l’autocratie est venu se substituer un souhait/volonté de rupture dans un désert politique, avec l’absence de l’opposition et des propositions alternatives crédibles et concrètes.

Le danger, après la dérive autocratique de l’ancien gouvernement, est un échiquier politique marqué par l’absence d’oppositions crédibles, nécessaires pour vitaliser la démocratie mauricienne. Œil de Lynx suit de prés la situation avec une première analyse dans une dizaine de jours.

[Blog] Grace for Gaza, Gutted by Genocide

Dr Michael Atchia — Fri, 16 May 2025 00:41:00 +0000

[Blog] Grace for Gaza, Gutted by Genocide Dr Michael Atchia ven 16/05/2025 - 04:41

How can the world, us all humans, stand by and allow Israel to continue perpetrating this genocide of Palestinians, as most of the world did in the 1940s when Hitler did the same to the Jewish people?

“To all the earth: Peace be with you. Building bridges, dialogue, for peace in the world.” (Pope Leo XIV, 8th May 2025)

The war was triggered by the continued occupation of Gaza and other parts of Palestine by Israel since 1947. Then the attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, in which 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage to Gaza, according to Israeli tallies.

Since then, more than 52,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive, over 30% of them women and children — like this child of 2 years old murdered by the Israeli army, which dubbed anyone they kill as being a “terrorist.” The Gaza Health Ministry says 1,600 people have been killed in March and April 2025, after the ceasefire was ended by Israel.

“War is a Defeat.” On 29th April 2025, THE DAY BEFORE HE DIED, during his Angelus address, Pope Francis called for a ceasefire in Gaza. He emphasized that “War is always a defeat! Every war is a defeat!” Take the Courageous Paths to Peace.

Israel is attempting the genocide of the Palestinian people in Gaza by destroying most schools, most hospitals, most housing, most roads, most production systems, and attempting to starve the population of Gaza/Palestine.

We mourn the 52,000 Palestinians, including 20,000 WOMEN and CHILDREN killed in the last 24 months, also more than 100,000 people injured, and the more than 12,000 missing. We also mourn the toll on Israelis killed, numbering 1,200. A sad tragedy of human wickedness. Now, of course, the UN agencies and all nations in the area (Egypt, Doha, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and others) as well as those outside WILL ASSIST in the movement to feed the Gaza people (reduced to starvation by Israel in its genocide attempt) and start the reconstruction of habitats, schools, hospitals, production and commercial structures, roads, and communications, etc. In fact, to rebuild all.

All states must now support and indeed put pressure on Israel TO STOP IMMEDIATELY THE KILLING BY GUNS AND MISSILES, THE KILLING OF GAZAENS — MEN, WOMEN, CHILDREN AND BABIES — BY STARVATION and the destruction of schools, hospitals, supplies, housing and other infrastructures.

A TRULY MONSTROUS GENOCIDE AND STARVATION OF HUMAN BEINGS FOR BASELESS POLITICAL REASONS, carried out with guns and missiles mainly provided by the USA.

This action of Israel CONSTITUTES A WAR CRIME AND GENOCIDE.

ACTIONS NOW REQUIRED:

The rest of the world CAN and MUST now pressurize Israel to stop the war. All our laws make injury to other beings a crime, make murder of other humans a crime, make genocide (actions to eliminate completely a given population) a MONSTROUS CRIME against humanity.

THEREFORE, WE CANNOT CONTINUE LIVING in quietness, applying our laws if we (all nations of the world) stand by and sanction this genocide without acting.

FROM HAMAS: A COMPLETE CEASEFIRE FROM THEIR SIDE. The release of all Israeli hostages as well as the release by Israel of all Palestinian political prisoners. A process of independence for Palestine, Gaza, and the West Bank. A process that Hamas can help by dissolving itself under its present armed forces constitution and reforming itself as, for example, a PPP (Palestine Political Party), devoted entirely to rebuilding Palestine and its efficient governance.

ISRAEL AND ITS LEADER, already recognized by the International Criminal Court as guilty of war crimes, MUST NOW IMMEDIATELY STOP THIS GENOCIDE, REMOVE THEIR TROOPS FROM THE PORT AND PASSAGE AND ALLOW FOOD TO COME IN, and, most importantly, let the human beings in that strip of land (Gaza) move to where they need, rebuild their infrastructure and reorganize their lives.

A DIFFICULT PROCESS OF DIALOGUE AND AGREEMENT THAT NEEDS THE SUPPORT OF ALL STATES OF THE WORLD, namely the USA, the EU, India and China, the Arab states, African states, Asian states and all other 192 states of the world, under the aegis of the UNITED NATIONS.

Then the rebuilding of Gaza can start in earnest and the 2 states CAN live in peace.

Dr Michael ATCHIA
(Former United Nations Programme Director)
[mklatchia@intnet.mu]
14 May 2025.

[Billet] Le grand réveil des conseillers municipaux ?

Eshan Dinally — Sat, 10 May 2025 03:17:52 +0000

[Billet] Le grand réveil des conseillers municipaux ? Eshan Dinally sam 10/05/2025 - 07:17

Ils sont 120 nouvellement élus et ils peuvent tout changer. Les élections municipales tenues dimanche dernier, dans le sillage de l’installation d’un nouveau gouvernement, ne sont pas anodines. Elles placent sur le devant de la scène une nouvelle génération de conseillers municipaux.

Dans un contexte où les citoyens réclament des résultats concrets, cette fonction locale - trop souvent sous-estimée - est appelée à se transformer. Mieux encore, elle peut devenir le levier silencieux d’une révolution démocratique de proximité. Le député débat au Parlement. Le ministre conçoit des politiques, mais c’est le conseiller municipal qui vit au cœur des problèmes. Parmi, ruelles sombres, nuisances, insécurité, embouteillages, prostitution cachée, trafics de drogue. Là où les autres élus ne passent que de temps à autre, le conseiller peut être présent chaque jour, et c’est là que tout peut commencer. Le conseiller municipal, nouvelle sentinelle du quotidien.

Pour cela, il faut repenser son rôle. Le conseiller municipal de demain - ou d’aujourd’hui s’il le veut - n’est pas un figurant ni un attaché protocolaire. Il est un capteur d’alerte, un médiateur, un déclencheur d’action.
Dans chaque ward, il peut devenir les yeux et les oreilles de la République, repérant ce qui ne va pas et faisant remonter l’information : un lampadaire défectueux, un regroupement nocturne douteux, une famille marginalisée, une zone à sécuriser. À travers des circuits structurés entre municipalités, services techniques, députés, voire ministères, il peut jouer un rôle de coordination décisif. Ce n’est pas un fantasme administratif. C’est la seule voie réaliste pour répondre aux problèmes qui rongent nos villes : drogue, délinquance, insécurité routière, incivisme, détérioration des espaces publics.

DE L’ÉLU PROTOCOLAIRE À L’ÉLU DE SOLUTION

Pour réussir cette transformation, les conseillers municipaux doivent changer de posture. Il ne s’agit plus d’être «représentant d’un ward», mais acteur de terrain. Cela suppose : » Des permanences régulières accessibles aux citoyens. » Une écoute active des doléances. » Une connaissance du fonctionnement municipal. » Des liens fonctionnels avec les députés de la circonscription. » Une volonté de faire bouger les lignes. Le danger de voir la population se désintéresser de nouveau si rien ne change est bel et bien réel. Or cette génération d’élus arrive au bon moment, avec un contexte politique renouvelé, et une attente citoyenne immense.

POUR QUE LA DÉMOCRATIE REDEVIENNE VISIBLE

Ce que propose cette vision est simple. Il faut redonner de la chair à la démocratie locale. Lorsque les citoyens verront que leurs petits problèmes trouvent enfin réponse - un trottoir réparé, un feu rouge installé, un lieu à risque sécurisé - alors ils recommenceront à croire. Ils verront que leur voix compte, que leur bulletin a de l’effet et qu’un élu les a entendus. C’est peut-être, ainsi, qu’ils cesseront de bouder les urnes municipales, car rappelons-le : le taux d’abstention ne cesse de grimper d’un scrutin à l’autre, signe d’un malaise démocratique profond. Toutefois, si l’on redonne à ces élus municipaux un rôle actif, visible et utile, alors la participation pourrait retrouver du souffle. Une démocratie qui soigne les petites choses reconstruit la confiance dans les grandes.