My Holidays to My Native Island: A Reflection
Musings
Dr Randhir Seewoodharry Buguth
I had the chance to celebrate the Divali festival after 17 years in Mauritius, as I had emigrated to the UK in 2006 with my family. I was proud that the pilots on the Air Mauritius flight were Mauritians for my incoming and departing flights.
‘Divali was celebrated nationally, but material values continue to take precedence over spiritual values. Big, towering houses adorned with fancy electric lights, sweets not made at home, and much less interaction with neighbours. Very few ‘diya’ lamps welcomed the return of Lord Rama to celebrate the triumph of light over darkness…’
Divali was celebrated nationally, but material values continue to take precedence over spiritual values. Big, towering houses adorned with fancy electric lights, sweets not made at home, and much less interaction with neighbours. Very few ‘diya’ lamps welcomed the return of Lord Rama to celebrate the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. My Dadi always performed Lakshmi pooja in the kitchen on that day with semolina (greo), home-made sweets, flowers, and all family members seeking the blessings of Lakshmi Mata for good fortune and success.
I found Mauritians to be less open and extroverted, with many keeping to themselves — an experience similar to a shock I felt in London in 2006. There seemed to be an atmosphere of mistrust among people, possibly due to higher crime rates, dishonesty, and a decline in sincerity and loyalty to each other.
Most people were engrossed in their mobile phones at malls, bus stops, metro stations, and restaurants. I even saw a guy cutting a bamboo hedge with both hands holding a pair of shears, struggling with a mobile phone wedged between his head and neck!
In supermarkets and malls, I observed that many families purchased non-essential commodities due to advertising or peer pressure. I relaxed on a bench in a shopping mall when I saw two young girls running into a café and opening the fridge to buy a can of fizzy drink. I checked the price, Rs 60.00, and discovered a supermarket a hundred meters away selling the same drink for half the price. Lack of customer information or too much of easy money?
I had the opportunity to attend a dental conference on Oral Surgery and invited a colleague, but he declined, stating that since his retirement, he has put his pen down and is no longer interested. We agreed to disagree. When I retire, I plan to have more time to share new ideas, expand my network, and find ways to contribute to society through my knowledge, skills, and experience. We have a significant responsibility to contribute to society’s oral health. Unfortunately, 3000 people died of oral cancer in the UK last year, and dental surgeons are often the first to detect precancerous lesions.
We must be grateful for our welfare state, where any Mauritian can easily access a hospital dentist, unlike NHS dentists in the UK. We also have free education and free transport for the elderly. I used my Metro Express card for free. What a wonderful experience.
When checking out for my return to the UK, the ground hostess of Air Mauritius at SSR Airport provided excellent customer care, but panicked at the weight of my suitcase, which was 6 kg over. I reassured her with a big smile that I would pay for the excess, and not to worry. I saw a huge relief on her face. I live in a country where the rule of law prevails, and I have my rights and duties.
Lastly, during my return flight, I sat next to a young girl going on holidays to visit her cousins in London. When I inquired about her studies, she proudly told me that she attends the Royal College Port Louis, my ex-College! It took me a few seconds to realize how much has changed in our educational system. She seemed very happy with the atmosphere in a mixed school, and that was wonderful. We parted at Gatwick Airport, where the temperature was 2 degrees compared to 26 degrees in Mauritius. I hope next year to meet a male student at the Queen Elizabeth College to share his experience. This was unthinkable for people of our generation, as I joined the RCPL in 1970.
Mauritius Times ePaper Friday 22 December 2023
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