In My World

I’ve come by a song by Martina McBride: Concrete Angel.

It is so poignant. It shows how child abuse is sometimes ignored, or how it can just get out of hand.

In Mauritius, despite having many laws for the protection of children, some are still mistreated and beaten. Right now, one case comes to mind. The father who killed his baby because the latter was crying. This is very sad indeed.

So anytime you witness any such thing, do not hesitate to stand up for these children. Be a voice for them. Protect them. I know many organisations out there stress on this but it can never be said enough!

Stop Child Abuse!

She walks to school with the lunch she packed
Nobody knows what she’s holding back
Wearing the same dress she wore yesterday
She hides the bruises with the linen and lace, oh

The teacher wonders but she doesn’t ask
It’s hard to see the pain behind the mask
Bearing the burden of a secret storm
Sometimes she wishes she was never born

Through the wind and the rain she stands hard as a stone
In a world that she can’t rise above
But her dreams give her wings and she flies to a place

Where she’s loved

concrete angel

Somebody cries in the middle of the night
The neighbors hear but they turn out the light
A fragile soul caught in the hands of fate
When morning comes it will be too late

Through the wind and the rain she stands hard as a stone
In a world that she can’t rise above
But her dreams give her wings and she flies to a place
Where she’s loved

concrete angel

A statue stands in a shaded place
An angel girl with an upturned face
A name is written on a polished rock
A broken heart that the world forgot

Through the wind and the rain she stands hard as a stone
In a world that she can’t rise above
But her dreams give her wings and she flies to a place
Where she’s loved

concrete angel

No, I am not here to criticise this new branding. It has got its fair share of bashing already.

Thing is I am just fed up with all the critics, the jokes and the way people, including myself, keep using it ironically. I have made it a point to stop. Cause, finally, ain’t we just making fun of something that is supposed to be representing our country?

‘Mauritius, C’est Un Plaisir’ has been called weak, bland and even ridiculous as branding. But what now?

Either we finally accept it, try to make it sound better,try to put the meaning that it is obviously lacking behind it…or the branding must be changed, which I doubt will happen anytime soon. We are talking about millions spent on this thing.

On a personal note, I would opt for my first suggestion. Let’s give meaning to what seems to be a meaningless phrase. Impossible task, you say? The Tourism Minister said there was more to it than just this slogan:

“Par ailleurs, dit Xavier Duval, ” c’est un plaisir ” est ” multifaceted ” dans le sens qu’à un niveau simple, c’est une expression de service ” that comes at the end of having given or done something “. C’est un sentiment de plaisir que ressentent investisseurs et visiteurs dans leurs contacts avec Maurice et les Mauriciens ” either through a call centre or in a hotel or shop or to deal with professionals in our offshore sector “.”
Extracts from :
http://lemauricien.com/mauricien/091028/po.htm#1

So let’s just stop with the sarcasm and give it time. Maybe it will work out in the end.

Spare my lungs. This is my prayer every time I have the misfortune, which is quite often, to have a UBS bus in front of me in traffic, or to have them pass me when I am on the streets.

Ok, factors contributing to air pollution are many but these buses make you think that they contribute to 90% of air pollution in Port-Louis. They give off a constant thick putrid black smoke! and they go at such a slow pace! It is so horrible! That is why driving behind them is such a pain. I have to roll up the windows. I who enjoy driving with them down!

On a more serious tone, I believe that those buses need to be removed from traffic! Seriously! Nearly all UBS buses are the same! And also, either they end up being on fire right on the motorway or they break down in the middle of nowhere! So unreliable!

Don’t these buses go through some fitness check-up? where are those people from ‘police de l’environment’?

I really don’t understand why some people always compare Mauritius and other countries when they want to illustrate why a certain change must occur in Mauritius. Ok, granted that we must follow good examples and do the necessary to bring positive changes where we can. Specially in this fast moving world.

But what I don’t get is that why when a certain something is being done in Europe, America or Australia, for some people, it automatically means it will be good for us Mauritians. In these people’s opinions, absolutely everything must be done to follow in those ‘advanced’ countries’ steps, foregoing the difference of cultures and mindsets of the citizens. Within Mauritius itself, the differences are great, even if we have learnt to accept them, in most cases.

Caution must be exerted when dealing in such situations. Mauritians are still very attached to their cultures. And I don’t believe they will let go that soon.

Before even thinking of introducing any kind of change, I think it will be safer for the authorities or the change ‘bringer’ to do a feasibility study and check the state of mind of the people before taking a decision. And also, it will help in coming up with the best way to bring about the required change.

Well, many people disagree with me already. I, for one, am saying this only because Mauritius is a special case, as it always is.

Mauritius, C’est un plaisir…