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Yeah so we are celebrating today our 40 years of Independence - of which I have enjoyed almost 23 years (WOW more than the half :-/ ). However, something’s just annoying me (lol “comme d’hab”). When we have been living in a mood of patriotism and preparation for this event these last few days, I have seen mostly reminiscences of HOW we achieved independence and maybe brief broadcasts on TV about how we have evolved in different fields.
We all know who gave us Independence, how it came about and when it occurred - we all learnt it in school. Maybe it would be good to clear out the fact that we are not celebrating the acquisition of Independence only here, we are actually celebrating the 40 years we’ve been free! Some say it might have been better if we were left as British colony well I might not be able to point out my opinion here because since my birth I’ve been Mauritian and I haven’t felt that difference so…
Yet it would be good if our medias - specially our local TV broadcasting company - could also spread more on those 40 years of Independence. Because achieving it is one thing and maintaining it is another! We all, each and every citizen of this country have been, since 1968, striving hard to make this a success. We must not forget the meaning of an Independence, it is becoming actually self-dependent; and if we think well, it was a huge task and a big risk also undertaken. A risk that today has been rather fruitful I’d say. Though being a little island, lost somewhere in the immensity of the Indian Ocean, we’ve proved to be better off than many other African country.
Hence, for this special day, I’d like all of us to sit and think not about what political party had brought us Independence etc… but how far we have reached. And though we are still miles away from being fully developed, we still achieved a lot in 40 years and we should show the same determinism for future years. After all our small island-in-the-sun needs its people the most to progress and shine as the Star and the Key of the Indian Ocean!
These last 3 days, the campus of the University of Mauritius has been vibrating on the rhythms of the Student Council and Student Union elections. Students have been witnessing massive demonstrations on the part of the different teams running for the elections…
For the past weeks, we have been living a campaign full of rumors, critics and heated conversations (occasionally). Every strategy was good to gain the trust of voters and whether they worked out or not, we shall see that today afternoon after deliberation of results…
What I wanted to point out on this event, is that no matter what has been said, what has been promised and what has been planned throughout the campaign, candidates and their managing team have shown their full talents in being future politicians. Every move was well calculated, with the single aim to defame the opposing team… At times we wonder who is right and who is not! It seemed like it is some kind of competition where it is much more important to show how unscrupulous the opponent is than saying what they are going to do for us if they are elected. Typical politician behaviour!
From defaming the opponents, to having banners everywhere, to distribution of flyers and talks to students in classes, every effort was put into action to win these elections. The most striking part I’d say was during those 2 days of elections where partisans of both parties were shouting out loud their party’s name and candidates’ numbers just to impress the voters and try to show the ‘man power’ behind the party. It was literally a showdown to opponents when they’d bring a group of voters from classes and no need to describe the faces of the opposing teams then! Not a single class was spared, meaning that there were always partisans stationed outside the door waiting for students to get out to ‘escort’ them till the Raised Plaza where voting took place. Every single vote counted and canvassing was being done in every corners of the campus. A real event I’d say and so much energy invested! It’s just a pity then when the team has lost…
Anyway, this has shown the craze for our youth for electoral campaigns, their passion and energy, yet I wonder whether this would mean better politicians for our future as what I’ve been witnessing, there has been much character assassination and defamation than real struggle for students’ rights… And that’s why I’d rather advise people not to get too much involved to the point of losing your friends just because they are supporting the opposing team and not to just believe rumors. After all politicians are politicians, they are definitely going to join up forces one day or the other. The only losers will be us…
P.S: No offence to any candidates here my point of view is general and this is how I see elections whether on the campus or at national level. Yet as voter I have to see which one is more favourable to me and of course give my vote 
This week we had the opportunity of having a Job Fair on our campus. It was yet another event organised by the ISS. The aim was to bring on a single platform students, unemployed or any person interested in getting a job to meet companies and grasp some idea of what career prospects are awaiting them.
It was once more a very enriching experience to be among those people giving a helping hand and of course some fun assured! The most surprising but still pleasant point to note was the presence of our lecturers on the opening ceremony showing some interest on their part in what students are doing…
As for me, I was quite impressed by the number of people coming to seek for a job and also somewhat I got a glimpse of what’s really awaiting in near future… Working world doesn’t seem that freaky now - given you’ve got a nice boss, a young and dynamic team to work with and of course the right salary 
Yet, I’d still miss my student years and would still wish they’d never end!
Anyway, the Job Fair was quite a success and having met so many people I feel sorry it’s going to end today… Let’s just hope though that next time we shall be part of exposing companies instead of visitors - if you grasp my point :-p
P.S: Photo was in Lexpress of Saturday 8 September 2007 
This first week of semester at the UoM started off with lots of ups and downs but ended on quite a good note with classes getting back to normal and the ISS Orientation and Fun Day being held on Friday 24 August.
The Information Systems Society (ISS) had the idea of having this event to welcome freshers and at the same time promote the society.
It was quite an experience I’d say since it was the very first time such event was being organised with games (dart competition, tug of war, Need for Speed Challenge etc..) and the big attraction of the day: free Cellplus starter packs (sim cards) to all newcomers and of course ISS members and IS students…
The picture above shows the Compuspeed Ltd. stand where I was helping in distributing brochures and lucky draw coupons and as you see the prizes were:
1st Prize: Shiro MP3 player
2nd Prize: PNY Mobile Disk (pen drive)
3rd Prize: A4Tech Multimedia Keyboard
I had a great day I’d say though afterwards I had aching feet but still the experience of participating in such events is worth it! It gives you the opportunity to reach out to people, make new friends, show your capacities in dealing with the public and of course try to make some image towards the company you are actually helping… The participation itself was more than I’d expected and at the end of the day the big surprise was that Mr. Janmamode (representative of Compuspeed Ltd) actually did offer me a pen drive as appreciation of my work 
At the end of the day, we all came to realise how big the student population had reached on the campus with more seats being allocated this year! No wonder there are class allocation problems… Anyway, the storm seems somewhat to have calmed down now and we hope to see better days ahead with more events like that to be held
The coming week will be quite eventful round here in our corner of the planet…
Yup we are looking forward for the Indian Ocean Islands Games 2007 to be held in Madagascar from 9 to 19 August and here, in Mauritius, we shall also have Infotech 2007 (from 8-12 August).
Our Mauritian athletes have set to the “big island” the heart full of hopes of bringing home gold medals (let’s just cross fingers ). The games I believe won’t be so exciting as the 2003 ones since then Mauritius had been hosting them. We were day and night vibrating on the rhythms of the games… It was a great moment of patriotism we had all felt! Still I wish good luck to our fellow athletes and wish we still stand for gold in volleyball and football !!!
The Infotech is always called THE event for technological advances in our small island. It shall be held at the Swami Vivekananda International Convention Centre (SVICC) in Pailles. The event shall comprise of exhibitions, a job space, a cyber space plus on-going conferences on ICT… I shall maybe have more posts with some photos of the event later on as our University does have a stand there and the Information Systems Society shall be in charge.
And of course this week is my LAST holiday week after which I shall start my final year on Monday 13 … I feel quite a bit excited lol yet somewhat apprehensive for this year. Anyway what’s up for us this only the future shall tell…
