50 years of Independence

Today, Mauritius celebrates its 50th Independence Anniversary and 26th Republic Anniversary.

Indeed, on the 12th March 1968, the Mauritian flag of red, blue, yellow and green floated for the first time in the clear skies at the Champ de Mars in Port Louis.

You can live it as if you were there through the magic of technology.

It has invented and re invented itself over the years from the glorious years of sugarcane exports to the tourism idyll and now as a strategic services hub.

In a recent speech during the celebrations to commemorate this event, memories of school day celebrations came to mind. The lining up in the school yard with the shirts well tucked in the shorts, ready to belt out the Glory to thee under the guidance of our musical maestro, Jean Claude Selvon, cheering louder and louder the Motherland with the Hip Hip Hurray, with the occasional Karipoulet, and the evergreen moment of distribution of maspain and Eski, a local soft drink with the slogan, "Eski to soif?" which means, "Are you thirsty?"

As the memories faded, I urged students and colleagues present to answer positively to the following questions:

Eski to soif de success? Eski to soif de service?

Because if you are not soif de success or soif de service, you will be hungry for survival. You want to thrive, not survive.

Unless we strive individually and collectively to make things happen and become successful, we will not be able to progress. Not just economically but socially as well. More importantly, is the need for service, to be here for others. We should be more of a giver, not just a taker. We cannot live by only breathing in,we have to breathe out as well. We have to make the transition from being the picsidou to being the labouzie. We certainly have to enjoy life before it melts and find your purpose and light the path for others. As James Bond would say, "You only live twice" Once for you and once for others.

So here is to living for your dreams and those of your country.

Happy Independence Day