Young professionals 2017 : a year of ups and downs?

2017 has witnessed major challenges. It has been a roller coaster ride. Now that we are fast approaching its end, young professionals from various fields have analyzed the year 2017. If for some it has been a progressive one, for others it has been a year for setbacks.  

Nishta Jooty : “2017 has been disappointing”

Rotary President of Vacoas, Nishta Jooty explains that 2017 has been chaotic due to all the conflicts that are ongoing throughout the world. “In our local context, 2017 has been very disappointing. The crime rate has drastically increased in Mauritius, especially an upsurge in domestic violence. Drug use and abuse have had a lot of serious consequences for many families in Mauritius. The number of accidents and the death toll on our roads are alarming. Our public health system has been at its poorest level. On the political front, exposure to the usual dramas of our politicians has been a huge nuisance for the population. There have been so many uproars and scandals that now we are no longer surprised when a new outrage turns up.”

She further adds that there has been a degradation of moral values and principles. “People have become less tolerant. There are very few persons who we can look upon as role-models. The population is suffering. We are still waiting for an economic miracle. 2017 was also a transition year for the education sector with the implementation of the Nine-Year Basic Continuous Education. Nevertheless, this year, on the bright side is Jane Constance, who has made all Mauritians proud by becoming the UNESCO Artist for peace.”

Oudish Balkissoon : “In 2017 Mauritius has seen lots of progress”

Mr India Worldwide Mauritius 2017, Oudish believes that in 2017, Mauritius has seen lots of progress.

“The power to change the course of our lives is always in our hands. This is actually the basic law of this universe. However, the only condition is that we should truly love what we do. If we put our hearts in what we believe we can achieve, the entire universe manifests our thinking into the real world. And if I have to sum up this whole year in one word, it shall be ‘Revolutionary’.”

Akshay Mahabir : “A fulfilling year”

President Rotaract Club of Flacq Akshay Mahabir reveals that there have been hard and tough days in 2017.

“I believe living life to the fullest doesn’t just mean having a bucket list like skydiving, bungee jumping or learning to scuba dive. It also includes learning to enjoy the little things, appreciating and expressing gratitude to life’s simple pleasures like staring at the stars at night, walking barefoot on the grass, or watching the sunset. The possibilities are endless. I also made it a point to learn new things: I have attended workshops on framework for setting new goals, time management, leadership, and ways to address different personalities. I would say this year has been a fulfilling year despite the ups and downs.  Having a positive attitude opens your mind to new possibilities: it makes you more resilient, and it can even help you to live longer.”

Chetan Gukhool : “A year full of melancholies”

2017 has been a year full of melancholies in all spheres: economy, social politics and education, laments Chetan Gukhool.

“During the first semester, from January 2017 to June 2017, we have witnessed 69 fatal accidents on our roads. Now with only a few days left till the end of the second semester, we are at 151. The attributions of those fatalities were associated with reckless driving, which included high speed, and irresponsible drinking. But if we are talking about educating our drivers and pedestrians, it is also good to talk about road safety measures. A clearer visibility in relation to street lights, proper road markings, not necessarily new roads but good conditioned roads would have eased the transaction coined with a strong message. There are no more excuses.”

For him, 2017 has also been a year where political promises have been broken, while others are being made. “The hard labor of most of the working population is being ignored, while selected episodes are making headlines. Everyone is talking about rights, but not about responsibilities.

However, I am equally delighted to find that a handful of people are fighting for what they believe in and for what is right. Hence, 2017 has also been a year where people are less afraid and more confident. As 2018 will be a year where Mauritius will celebrate 50 years of independence, we hope for the best.”