Alain Laridon: “The struggle for Independence was not easy”

Former Ambassador of Mauritius to Mozambique, Alain Laridon was 16 years old at the time of Independence. News on Sunday talks to him for a first-hand picture of the day – the atmosphere in Port Louis, his feelings at the flag hoisting ceremony and the expectations of our youth. You are a resident of Port Louis. Did you attend the flag-hoisting ceremony? What was the atmosphere in the capital? I still remember that period leading to the Independence of our country. Prior to this big historical event, including the constitutional change that was going to take place, there was that uprising known as ‘ethnic scuffles’ between two distinct communities on January 22, 1968, nearly two months before the accession of the country to independence. On the very day, Monday 12th March 1968, from 4:00 to 7:00 in the morning, there was a heavy rainfall over the capital. It stopped suddenly and there appeared a bright sunshine around 9:30. In a few minutes, we could notice that the land was dry in the whole town. Many people saw this as a good omen from the Almighty to bless the island, showing all the same way to a prosperous land. I was at that time a 16 year old student of the then Stratford College. What was the mood and atmosphere at the time in the capital Port Louis? Or were the inhabitants fearing violence and rioting? In Port Louis, officially chosen by the government for the independence ceremony, there was an uncommon festive mood, not so apparent I might say because of the wounds inflicted to the motherland some two months earlier. People at large feared some retaliation in one way or other so that they didn’t talk much about the independence issue. They gave the impression that they had not forgotten that dark and gloomy period which could have jeopardised the transitional phase the country had to pass through. Some specific places were decorated with small coloured bulbs, flags and some photos of the first Prime minister of Mauritius – Dr Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, leader of the Independence Party constituting of the Labour party whose leader was no other than SSR himself, Comité d’Action Musulman led by Abdool Razack Mohamed and Independent Forward Block led by Sookdeo Bissoondoyal. The Independence Party won the general elections whereas 44% of the population voted against independence. [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"12737","attributes":{"class":"media-image wp-image-20976 alignleft","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"292","height":"362","alt":"Independence"}}]]In your opinion, what were the main issues that prompted the Mauritian population to vote for independence? The leader of the Parti Mauricien Social Democrate, Gaetan Duval, raised a hue and cry against the proposal for independence. His stand on the subject resembled to that of Porto Rico whose inhabitants favoured through the polls their adherence to USA. So they rejected independence. Here in Mauritius, he rather proposed integration with Great Britain telling people about all the benefits that they were going to derive- British passport and free access to certain Commonwealth countries among others. He was fully backed in his endeavour by the sugar magnates – the private sector, as it was considered at that time. The Independence party did its level best to bring home to the electorate the autonomy the whole country would enjoy; henceforth the future would be in our own hands. Dr Ramgoolam stated that we must show to the British and the whole world that we were capable to shape our destiny through hard work with dignity and honesty. The argument of attaining our freedom as per various constitutional changes helped the people to make up their mind: they voted for independence, thus helping the country to make a leap forward. I must say unhesitatingly that the struggle for independence was not an easy one. Out of the four constituencies of Port Louis, three went to the PMSD except the No 4 which was won by the labour candidates within the Independence party. Another Important occurrence during the electoral campaign for independence was the arrival from Reunion island of Paul Verges, leader of the communist party. He spent one whole week at the side of Dr Ramgoolam and took part in public meetings urging the population to look for freedom and liberty. Mauritians then took the decision to vote for independence. Can you tell me about the atmosphere at the Champ de Mars? The Champ de Mars was decorated with small new flags and ‘oriflammes’, not as much as it would be some ten years later. It is to be remembered that the Mauritian flag consists of four colours: red, blue, yellow and green. As from 10:30, the guests of honour among whom was Sir Harilal Vaghjee and Ministers were in attendance. Sir Veerasamy Ringadoo, Sir Harold Walter, Guy Forget, Kher Jagatsingh, Guy Balancy - to name a few - arrived one by one in their own cars (Vauxhall, Morris Oxford, Austin). Sookdeo Bissoondoyal as a Minister of Local Government came along in the car of a faithful lieutenant of IFB. Their appointed chauffeurs, well dressed (no policeman or bodyguard) drove them to this historical place which is the Champ de Mars, a very simple and suitable place at that time for this very bold event which has marked the history of the island of Mauritius. The leader of the PMSD did not turn up on that occasion. He chose to remain at his residence in Grand Gaube eating ‘curry poule et farata’ in the company of his newly elected candidates and some privileged and close friends. Yvon Guillaume, elected PMSD candidate, did make his voice heard that he disagrees of his party’s decision to boycott the official ceremony scheduled at the Champ de Mars, thus becoming the only opposition member to be present at the official ceremony. At noon, on this 12th March 1968, was held the flag raising ceremony in the presence of the British Governor, Sir John Shaw Rennie, SSR and the Mauritian Minister of Culture. Dr Ramgoolam and the Governor both approached the flag mast. SSR brought up the four coloured official flag of Mauritius and unfolded it while at the same time was played and sung for the first time the national anthem ‘Glory to thee Motherland.’ It was a solemn moment full of emotion for many of us when the Union Jack was downed and handed over to the British representative. In the evening, there was a splendid firework display at the harbour and the day ended with a banquet to mark the event at Queen Elizabeth College. Some wondered what independence would bring to us - good things or bad things. The whole country depended on sugar only. Through the years, I can say for sure that under the guidance of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, Mauritius has made great strides. I know that the youth movement was well organized in the 60’s. What was its contribution to make of the event a big patriotic movement? Dr Clovis Vellin, a true patriot, gave the first example of faith in the country – he founded the Young Farmers movement and campaigned for food security and self sufficiency with the aim to get our youths interested in agriculture and the duty to cultivate the soil, thus bringing to them the respect they owe to their Motherland as far as farm products were concerned. Others followed suit and the four Youth Federations of the country multiplied efforts to create an atmosphere of unity and harmony.