MAURITIUS TIMESll “It is time we recognised the huge contribution that migration has made to the economic growth of this country.” -- Jeremy Corbyn

66th Year -- No. 3725 Friday, October 29, 2021 www.mauritiustimes.com facebook.com/mauritius.times 18 Pages - ePaper

COP26: The last ditchbattle to save the

planetWhy is government so rashlypursuing the pipe dream of apetroleum industry? By Mrinal Roy + See Page 4

Matters of The Moment

By Dr R Neerunjun Gopee + See Page 3

Interview: Chetan Ramchurn, EntrepreneurPropaganda

“I do not believe that thepower to liberate

Mauritius is vested inany one individual”

Weapons of mindand mass

destruction+ See Page 8-9

Edit Page

Mauritius TimesFriday, October 29, 2021www.mauritiustimes.comfacebook.com/mauritius.times 2

The Offshore Petroleum Bill was presented at theNational Assembly by the Prime Minister, HonPravind Jugnauth, this week. This Bill repeals

the Petroleum Act of 1970, and provides for the con-duct of petroleum activities in the seabed and subsoilareas of the maritime zones of Mauritius, such as theprospection, exploration, retention and production ofpetroleum. It also paves the way for the creation of aregulatory body to regulate, monitor, oversee and faci-litate petroleum activities, namely the Department forContinental Shelf, Maritime Zones Administration andExploration, which in collaboration with relevant stake-holders, shall, on behalf of the Government, negotiatepetroleum agreements with potential investors forexploration/retention/production licences. It will alsoformulate strategies and policies to minimise and ma-nage the impacts of petroleum activities in the marineenvironment.

The Bill also details the conditions for applicationand grant of the titles, and the responsibilities of the titleholder too. We thus learn from the provisions of the Billthat 'no person shall engage in petroleum activities inthe maritime zones unless he/she is the holder of a titleand no title shall be granted except with the approval ofthe Prime Minister' - which makes it clear that all thedecisions relating to the prospection, exploration,retention and production of petroleum will ultimatelycome under the control and direction of one authority -the Prime Minister.

We are not aware at this stage if confidentialityclauses will be introduced in the titles between theMauritian government and potential foreign investors,thereby shielding their terms and conditions from par-liamentary scrutiny, but that should not come as a sur-prise in light of other experiences such as the Bank ofMauritius (MIC) disbursements to private sector com-panies or even, on commercially sensitive grounds. Itis therefore doubtful whether this will meet the impera-tive for transparency and accountability in ocean go-vernance, as flagged by the PM in his presentation ofthe Bill.

The timing of the introduction of the Bill comes at aninopportune time - on the eve of the opening of theCOP26 summit in Glasgow - and its emergency pushthrough Parliament are clearly not in sync with Govern-ment's declared commitment to transition to non-renewable sources of energy in the next decades. Theagreement discretely signed 18 months ago with CGGand the undue haste to push this bill, raise questionswhether the Government would be in presence of pre-liminary reports indicating economically profitabledeposits of petroleum/oil/gas in the 2.3 million squarekilometres of the EEZ of Mauritius, not in the imme-diate 200 mile exclusive economic zone, which formspart of the volcanic chain of Mascarene Islands. If so,this should be treated as a national asset, handled inall transparency, rather than left to the discretionary

powers of a single person, even if that person is thePM. However, as is its wont, it should unfortunately beexpected that this Government will pay little attention toprotests already being voiced by civil society and en-vironmentalists against this Bill and the ambition of thecurrent government in this area.

Over the past decade, exploration operations havemultiplied across sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascarwith at least 90% of African countries now exploring foroil and gas. Invariably, African governments flag thepotential of oil and gas finds to transform theireconomies and improve the lives and livelihoods oftheir populations. However, the economic, social andsecurity benefits of oil and gas operations in somecases remain unclear. What is clear is where therehave been large exploitable reserves of petroleumproducts, they have often been associated withimmense graft and greed opportunities while the popu-lation has remained locked in backward conditions.The Congo, Nigeria, Angola and Madagascar areunfortunate reminders that wealth associated withsuch discoveries and their exploitation have beentermed a “curse” on sub-Saharan Africa. This is not tosay that development opportunities should be ignored;we cannot perhaps afford that luxury, so long as weavoid the too obvious traps and pitfalls, that may in thelong run, add us to the list of countries reputed for fastbucks and oily deals.

On the greenhouse and carbon emission front, theNew Zealand government announced in 2018 that itwill not issue any new permits for offshore explorationfor oil and gas deposits. Like Mauritius, New Zealandis a small player in global emissions of greenhousegases, but it decided against exploring for more oilreserves so as to meet the Paris Agreement target ofkeeping global temperature rise this century well belowtwo degrees above pre-industrial levels. 'Almost all ofthe already known reserves must stay in the ground,and there is no room to go exploring for more; ouractions can carry symbolic weight on the world stage.We have as much responsibility as any country toreduce our emissions.'

With an abundance of solar, biomass, wind, waveand tidal energy, like New Zealand, Mauritius can alsoambition to become an environmentally respectfulcountry, aiming for zero-carbon footprint in the me-dium-term. But this will require more than perfunctoryrhetoric or the signature of international treaties thatmay not be implemented. It will require understandingand adhesion to those greenhouse effects and targets,as all island states remain particularly vulnerable to thesea-level rise that accompanies sea-warming, themeltdown of both Arctic poles and the unpredictableviolence of cyclones or hurricanes. The haste withwhich legislative regulation and its inherent decision-making flaws is being pushed through does not bodewell for the future.

Offshore Petroleum Exploration

Leading people through the pandemic is clearly no easytask. But does the criticism directed at New ZealandPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern reveal a major misstep on

her part, or something deeper about the nature of leadershipitself?

Ardern has previously won widespread praise for her Covid-19 response and crisis communication, topping Fortune maga-zine’s “world’s greatest leaders” list in 2021.

Focused on minimising harm to both lives and livelihoods,her pandemic leadership has comprised three main strands:reliance on expert advice, mobilising collective effort and cushioning the pandemic’s disruptive effects.

These built the trust needed to secure high levels of volun-tary compliance for measures designed to limit the spread ofthe virus.

Then came the Delta outbreak in mid-August, which seesAuckland still under lockdown measures nearly eight weekslater. Despite the efforts of many, elimination proved elusive –a daunting reality that Ardern and her cabinet colleaguesappear to have accepted.

A strategic shift

This shift by Ardern, who engages deeply with the scientificevidence, has confused and angered many, even those whonormally support her.

With vaccination rates climbing, in early October, Ardernannounced the beginning of a “gradual transition” away fromthe established “zero Covid” strategy in favour of suppressionof inevitable outbreaks.

This included a three-step “roadmap” to guide Auckland“carefully” towards reduced restrictions. What criteria will beused to trigger movement through those steps, however, havenot been specified.

Both the strategic shift and the roadmap’s ambiguity havebecome the source of heated debate. But beyond merelychoosing sides, how can we make sense of Ardern’s leadershipat this point?

The Conversation

Why Jacinda Ardern’s ‘clumsy’ leadership response to Delta

could still be the right approach Dealing with what have been called ‘wicked’ and ‘adaptive’

problems is a huge challenge for political leaders. A‘clumsy’ response can be inevitable – and even desirable

Suze Wilson, Massey University

ll Cont. on page 11

Jacinda Ardern visiting a drive-through vaccination centre in Hastings during a national tour to promote the government’s campaign. GettyImages

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If you believe, you can lieIf you know, you can live.

– Anon

With the adventand explosion ofIT, it came to be

said that ‘knowledge ispower.’ Well may it indeedbe, but the crucial issue iswhat use is made of thispower. And here I like tocite an article that waswritten in Le MondeDiplomatique many yearsago by late French geneti-cist Albert Jacquard,whose title was ‘Les effetspervers de la science’(‘The perverse effects of science’).

Scientific knowledge is inherently neutral, so it wouldseem that science per se cannot generate perverseeffects; rather, it’s how we use that knowledge that cando so, in other words, the intention behind what is done.However, with the rapid advances that have been takingplace in Artificial Intelligence and the success of deviceslike Deep Mind, scientists have been fearing that AI appsmay develop a degree of autonomy, that is, escape fromhuman control. They may then go wild and becomedestructive – to the point of one day destroying theirinventors i.e. human beings. That is the one examplewhich one can think of as being an actual perverse effectof science, in the category of unintended consequences.

That day may be far off, but in the meantime, IT withits array of related electronic devices and the softwarenetworks that have been created as a result have amplyillustrated the potential for harm that they can inflict at alllevels of society. Parents and governments are locked ina battle with tech giants to regulate content that areharming kids who are lured into becoming addicts of thetech platforms. Citizens are apprehensive about theirgovernments leveraging these to snoop on their privatelives and breach confidentiality, but more ominously toblackmail and control targeted individuals deemed to beadversaries or opponents.

These platforms have now added to the list of con-ventional means that have been used for propagandapurposes. In today’s world, these are the tools andforces which try to influence minds, and of which onemust beware:

ll Official propaganda including spin-doctoring

ll Agenda of the printed press ll Social media tech giantsll Advertisementsll The educational systemll ReligionPropaganda is effective because the masses prefer

convenient beliefs to uncomfortable truths.Truth is about knowledge; belief is about ignorance.People were forced to believe, for example, at the

cost of being spiked to death, that the sun went roundthe earth. Galileo paid the price, but he was steadfast inhis knowledge that it was the earth that went round thesun. Truth, if it is real, remains the same over time: as itwas yesterday, it is today and will be tomorrow. Belief,because it is unreal, changes when it is exposed byfresh knowledge. Believers, alas, tend to cling to theirold beliefs: perhaps that is why there is a whole new dis-cipline about managing change.

If you resist official propaganda, you are anti-govern-ment, even if you voted to put it there in the first place. Ifyou puncture the façade of press propaganda, you areagainst ‘us’ and one of ‘them/the other.’ If you turn awayfrom the billboards, you are not modern enough. If youchallenge your teacher, you are trying to be a smart ass.And if you question a preacher, you are an infidel whodeserves the damnation of hell if not elimination.

All these forces conspire to prevent the individualfrom using his mind and finding out the truth for himself.In this respect, for scientists, it is religion which is theworst offender. Its unsubstantiated claims are not able tostand up to the scrutiny of logical reasoning or even pass

the test of plausibility, and scientific knowledge in parti-cular has exploded several myths held to be sacrosanctby the religions which propound them.

For any system to be credible it must not contradictwhat human reason and experience uncover by obser-vation and analysis. The classical example is that of therotation of the sun and the earth given above. A moremundane example is the crooked appearance of a stickwhen it is put in water with part of it above the surface:nobody can dispute that the stick is in fact straight. Beliefis like seeing the stick in water. Knowledge is like seeingthe stick out of water.

Thus, belief is always overlaid with ignorance,whereas knowledge leads to the light of truth. Belief co-vers up. Knowledge lays bare. Hence, we speak of thenaked truth. That is why spiritual insight is always pre-ferred by scientists (such as Einstein) to religious belief,and propaganda is akin to the latter. When religion andpropaganda mix, we have the recipe for a weapon ofboth mind and mass destruction – as has been seen thisvery recently in the killings that have taken place onminorities in Bangladesh, which the country’s authoritieshave established as being a planned attack following avideo that went viral, have identified the main culprit andhave made arrests accordingly. Whether this interven-tion will put a stop to such acts or bring about peace isanother matter.

Propaganda tools have become so ubiquitous thatenormous energy has to be deployed to counter them,leading to a wastage of resources and time that could bemore fruitfully used to address the more important pro-blems that a country faces.

This is illustrated by the drug case that is makingheadlines in India and involves the son of Bollywoodactor Shah Rukh Khan who was caught with friends ona cruise ship bound for Goa, whose reputation as ahaven for rave and similar parties is legion. The thrust ofthe investigation being led by the Narcotics ControlBoard of India (NCB) is to get to the bottom of the drugmenace that is ravaging Indian society and its youth, andunravel its ramifications which stretch from Mumbai toPunjab, Pakistan, Dubai and Afghanistan and causesimilar social damage. Instead, the motivated propagan-da machine fuelled with covert foreign support is, accor-ding to information coming through, busy trying to deflectattention by putting in doubt the NCB and publicly attac-king its lead investigator by prying into his private lifewhich has clearly nothing to do with the investigation.That, if anything, is a fine example of perversion -, in thiscontext, of the course of justice.

Uncovering the truth is never easy; all manner ofobstacles are put in the way. And the propagandists/obstructionists do not give a damn for all the harm that isdone.

Propaganda Mauritius Times Friday, October 29, 2021 3

Dr R Neerunjun Gopee

Weapons of mind and mass destruction

“Belief, because it is unreal, changes when it is exposed by fresh knowledge.Believers, alas, tend to cling to their old beliefs: perhaps that is why there is

a whole new discipline about managing change. If you resist official propaganda,you are anti-government, even if you voted to put it there in the first place. If you

puncture the façade of press propaganda, you are against ‘us’ and one of‘them/the other.’ If you turn away from the billboards, you are not modern enough. If you challenge your teacher, you are trying to be a smart ass.

And if you question a preacher, you are an infidel who deserves the damnation of hell if not elimination...”

Pic - Shutterstock.com

Bharatiya Seepoys - Smaran Diwas 2021Remembrance Day

to mark the 211th Anniversary of the Shadeed ofIndian Soldiers

in the battle of the British troops against the Frenchwhich led to the capture of Mauritius in 1810.

The ceremony will be held onTuesday 2 November 2021 at 2.30 pm.at Landing Point, Pointe aux Canonniers.

All are welcome.Meda Ayuryog Peeth

The scientific evi-dence is over-whelming. The

unchecked burning of fossilfuels over decades boostedby diverse human activitieshave significantly increasedcarbon emissions and theconcentration of green-house gases in the Earth'satmosphere, thus warmingthe planet.

The latest findings ofthe Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)Report approved by 195 member governments andreleased in August are damning. It shows that despite the2015 Paris Agreement by governments to limit global warming within the threshold of 1.5 degree Celsius by 2030,the world will probably reach or exceed that limit within thenext two decades.

Under a high-emissions scenario, the world may warmby 4.4°C by 2100 with catastrophic results for planet Earth.There is a more than 50% chance that the 1.5°C target isreached or crossed between 2021 and 2040. Under a high-emissions scenario, the 1.5°C threshold could be reachedeven more quickly within the 2018-2037 timeline. This isbasically tomorrow.

These findings are an indictment of governments acrossthe world and in particular those in the worst polluting coun-tries for their lack of decisive actions to stem and reverse thedire impact of climate change. The 2021 COP26 climatesummit in Glasgow cannot therefore be a forum for rhetoric,hollow commitments and empty promises but for concreteand determinant actions to stem and reverse the dire impactof climate change on our homeland, planet Earth.

Compelling evidence

The evidence for urgent action to reverse the dire impactof climate change is compelling. The planet's average sur-face temperature has risen by 1.18°C since the late 19thcentury, owing largely to increased carbon dioxide emis-sions into the atmosphere and other human activities. Theseven most recent years are the warmest with the years2016 and 2020 tied for the warmest years on record. Thenumber of times record high temperatures have been regis-tered in the world have been increasing. Ocean temperatureis constantly rising. It has registered a temperature rise ofmore than 0.33°C since 1969.

Data from NASAshow that Greenland lost an average of279 billion tons of ice per year between 1993 and 2019 while

Antarctica lost about 148 billion tons of ice per year. Glaciersare retreating almost everywhere around the world from theAlps to the Himalayas, Andes, Rockies, Alaska, and Africa.Satellite observations reveal that the amount of spring snowcover in the Northern Hemisphere has decreased over thepast five decades and that the snow is melting earlier. Boththe extent and thickness of Arctic Sea ice has declined rapidly over the recent decades.

Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, theacidity of surface ocean waters has increased by about30%. The Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere ina Changing Climate (SROCC) finds that global mean sealevels will most likely rise between 0.95 feet (0.29m) and3.61 feet (1.1m) by the end of this century.

Frequent and intense drought, storms, torrential rains,heat waves, rising sea levels, melting glaciers and warmingoceans affect life and biodiversity on the planet and wreakhavoc on people's livelihoods and habitat. Climate scientistsare observing changes in the Earth’s climate in every regionand across the whole climate system.

This is evidenced by the array of extreme weatherevents which have caused extensive damage and deaths inalmost every corner of the world in 2021.Thus, record hightemperatures attaining 49.6°C were registered in westernCanada and US states of Washington and Oregon. Itcaused several hundred deaths. In mid-July western Europewas devastated by torrential rains and destructive floodswhich ravaged entire villages and left at least 209 peopledead in Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands andSwitzerland. In July, heavy rainfall dumped a year's worth ofrain in just three days on the central city of Zhengzhou,China causing the death of 33 persons and inundatingdrains, streets, road tunnels and the subway system.

In the United States, severe drought, dozens of wildfiresand a deadly heat wave burned the Northwest in June. InAugust, back-to-back hurricanes Henri and Ida causedhavoc in the Northeast and brought record rainfall. For the

first time, a majority of Americans now believe that the US isfacing the consequences of a warming world, according to anew poll from the Yale Program on Climate ChangeCommunication.

Other extreme weather events include deadly landslidesin India and Nepal, wildfires in Greece, Spain, Italy andTunisia, unbearable heat waves in the Pacific, record snow-fall in Spain, storms and hurricanes in Britain, Asia, Fiji andthe US, torrential rainfalls in North Wales and North WestEngland causing widespread flooding and the evacuation ofresidents from the affected areas. These extreme weatherevents are a jolting reminder that the world is already suf-fering the disastrous and deadly consequences of climatechange.

No to coal and fossil fuels According to IPCC report, many of the changes

observed in the climate are unprecedented in thousands, ifnot hundreds of thousands of years. Some of the changessuch as continued sea level rise are irreversible over hun-dreds to thousands of years. However, strong and sustainedreductions in emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and othergreenhouse gases would limit climate change. However, 'itcould take 20-30 years to see global temperatures stabilize'.The report finds that unless there are immediate, rapid andlarge-scale reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, limitingglobal warming to close to 1.5°C or even 2°C will be beyondreach.

The message from the findings provided by climate scientists as well as the frequency and the damaging impactof extreme weather events on the planet is loud and clear.The world must drastically cut down carbon emissions byeliminating the use of highly polluting coal and rapidly phasing out the use of fossil fuels to keep global warmingwithin a maximum of 1.5°C to avoid a climate change disaster. If all countries in the world and in particular the mostpolluting countries do not act now to stem and reverse thedire impact of climate change, it will be too late.

Bending the rulesA huge leak of documents consisting of more than

32,000 submissions made by governments, companies andother interested parties to the IPCC scientists shows howcountries are trying to change the IPCC scientific report recommendations on how to tackle climate change. Theleaked documents reveal how fossil fuel and meat producingcountries such as Brazil, Argentina, Australia, Japan, SaudiArabia and OPEC have pressed the UN to play down theneed to move rapidly away from fossil fuels and water downUN recommendations for action just days before they will beasked at the COP26 summit to make significant commit-ments to slow down climate change and keep global war-ming to 1.5 degrees C. Powerful vested lobbies are at work.

Does insatiable greed have no limit? What is at stake isnot the future of the generation who have been responsiblefor belching and choking the planet with carbon emissionsbut that of our children and future generations.

The Offshore Petroleum Bill: Pipe dream &double standards

It is equally flabbergasting that days before the openingof the COP26 summit, the government is hastily tabling in afast-track mode the Offshore Petroleum Bill to establish anew regulatory regime 'for the conduct of petroleum activi-ties in the seabed and subsoil areas of the maritime zonesof Mauritius, such as the prospecting, exploration, retentionand production of petroleum'.

ll Cont. on page 12

Matters of the Moment Mauritius Times Friday, October 29, 2021 4

Mrinal Roy

COP26: The last ditch battle to save the planetWhy is government so rashly pursuing the pipe dream of a petroleum industry?

“The government fixation with fossil fuels is not only limited to petroleum. It also applies to coal. Government has undertaken to increase the

production of electricity from renewable sources of energy through wind farms, solar energy, biomass, wave and waste-to-energy projects to 60% by 2030 and to

eliminate coal by 2030. This basically means extending the lease of life of lucrativepower plants using highly polluting coal by another 9 years”

President Biden hasjust completed hisninth month in

office. Some years ago,Robert Gates, who servedas Secretary of Defenseunder Presidents GeorgeW. Bush and BarackObama, wrote in his mem-oir that Biden had beenwrong on nearly every sin-gle foreign policy and national security issue for fourdecades. Last week, Gates did not back away from hisstatement and, indeed sharply criticized Biden -- and Trumpas well -- for botching the withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Even if one is tempted to give Joe Biden an A grade forgood intentions, it is difficult to justify more than a D basedon the bulk of his performance. Certainly, there are brightspots such as the initial Covid-19 vaccine rollout and aneconomy that continued to boom, until it began to showsigns of faltering amidst supply chain disruptions and infla-tion.

The fairest assessment of the Biden administration'sperformance to date is that it is a muddled mess. And that isa fair depiction of the country as a whole -- a muddled mess.

Lurking in the shadows is the elephant in the room,Donald Trump. The gestation period of an elephant is 640-660 days. From Biden's inauguration, that would coincidequite neatly, for the Republicans that is, with the 2022midterm elections. Trump's influence seemingly threatens tounleash a herd of little Republican elephants who couldupend control of both the House and Senate and put MitchMcConnell and Kevin McCarthy as the leaders at thelecterns in those chambers of Congress.

Whether it is domestic policy or foreign policy, or hybriddomestic-foreign issues, Biden has little to celebrate. In fact,his percentage approval ratings in recent polls have sunk tothe low 40s, lower than Barack Obama at a similar point inhis presidency and, in some polls, even lower than DonaldTrump. One is reluctant to look to Trump’s supporters foranalysis but Kelly Anne Conway, a former senior-levelTrumpkin, put it aptly that Biden is not showing any ability toleverage his 47 years of Washington experience but isrevealing that he is a product of that extended life in theWashington swamp.

Conway also noted that Vice President Harris has thehighest disapproval rating of any vice president since track-ing of that metric started. Commenting on whether thisreflects racism and sexism -- the default Democratic themeof dismissal for criticism of incompetence -- she said, “It’scalled eyesight and hearing.” The point is that both Bidenand Harris are failing miserably among Independents. And

tightening races for next month’s elections suggest thatDemocrat governors are vulnerable.

A muddled messThe US-Mexico border is a muddled mess. Lack of

strategic thinking is the culprit. Whereas one may applaudthe humanitarian instinct to welcome the desperate andoppressed to America, there is nevertheless, at least a tacitrecognition, even within Biden’s administration, that unfet-tered access into the country in violation of immigration lawsis unacceptable. Nevertheless, the administration continuesto send mixed signals, first seemingly inviting illegal immi-grants to come as asylum seekers and then having VicePresident Harris tell them not to come. Then there was theagglomeration of Haitian immigrants that again led to mixedmessages. Some were allowed in, some were deported.When Biden declared that he would not turn hungry peopleaway, the obvious question was why not send food to themin Mexico?

One has to wonder if sending a message that enforce-ment of immigration laws will be weak and inconsistent doesnot aggravate the problem rather than solve it by encourag-ing hundreds of thousands to flock to the border in the hopeof being lucky enough to get into the US whether legally orillegally. The result is that the Customs and Border Patrol isoverwhelmed, immigration courts are overwhelmed, andnobody is doing the nation’s Governors a favour by sendingunskilled immigrants to their states. The Washington Postreports that thousands of immigrants tired of waiting foraction on their asylum claims have decided to march northto Mexico City, i.e., eventually on to the US.

Then there was the Iran nuclear deal. President Bidenannounced even before he was elected that he would"rejoin" the deal, seemingly forgetting that a contractrequires the agreement of both sides. Quite predictably, theIranians didn't show any excitement at America's reengage-ment overture. To the contrary, the Ayatollahs refused tonegotiate directly with the American delegation, offeringinstead to go through European intermediaries.Astonishingly, the Biden administration agreed to this insult-ing condition. Now, news reports abound that the Irannuclear deal is dead. But the Ayatollahs had already saidthat. One can understand that preventing Iran from getting

to a nuclear weapon was a priority, but basic negotiationskills elude this administration. To the extent that this was achallenge the Biden administration hoped to meet and sur-mount, it has failed miserably. One shudders to think that theAyatollahs may be crazy enough to deploy a nuclearweapon against Israel or Saudi Arabia.

So also, in the case of North Korea, the Biden adminis-tration almost pleads for negotiations. Kim Jong Nuke goesbeyond nukes and tests a hypersonic missile. BothPresidents Obama and Trump noted that the US coulddestroy North Korea if the Hermit Kingdom attackedAmerican interests. Perhaps the Biden administration woulddo better to recognize that Kim Jong Nuke's missile andnuclear capabilities are as much a threat to China as toSouth Korea, Japan, and the US. Meanwhile, Kim JongNuke and his Sister Ms Nuke, refuse to negotiate. One won-ders if they are getting their cues from Beijing.

The looming behemothThen there is the case of China, the looming behemoth.

It started with the meeting in Anchorage where Secretary ofState Antony Blinken began with a vituperative blast accus-ing China of being a threat to global stability and expressing“our deep concerns with actions by China, including inXinjiang, Hong Kong, Taiwan, cyberattacks on the UnitedStates and economic coercion toward our allies.” TheChinese representative Yang Jiechi, a senior member of theChinese Politburo was having none of it and unleashed a17-minute diatribe, excoriating the failed Democracy of theUS, its own record of human rights violations particularlymentioning the Black Lives Matter movement, and endingwith the observation that "the United States does not havethe qualification to say that in front of China it speaks from aposition of strength." Nevertheless, Blinken sat there andcontinued his meeting with the Chinese. Perhaps the Bidenadministration would have done better to walk out in a huffwhen so outmaneuvered.

Biden's problems with China continue. The CCP contin-ues its assault on Hong Kong and dismisses any contentionthat the US or anyone else has a right even to express con-cerns about China's burgeoning military takeover of theSouth China Sea, its denial of responsibility even to co-operate with investigations into the origins of the Covid pan-demic, or its predatory actions around the world and withrespect to theft of intellectual property. Its treatment ofUyghurs and threats to Taiwan are declared to be “internal”matters beyond the purview of the US or any other nation.

China's threat to Taiwan continues to take on ominousovertones. Just the other day, Biden blurted out a commentthat the US is prepared to defend Taiwan against an attackby China. This conflicts with the official US policy that isknown as "strategic ambiguity." US State Department offi-cials were quick to walk back Biden's comments to suggestthat there is no change in US policy. So, we now have a doc-trine of strategic idiocy.

Meanwhile, the US remains dependent on China formuch of what the American people buy on a daily basis.Taiwan is a major supplier of semiconductors and Chinaknows just how dependent the US is on this source.

The one achievement touted as significant is the AUKUSdeal, a trilateral agreement among Australia, Britain, and theUS to supply nuclear submarines to Australia. In truth, thedeployment of any such force is years off. And whether itwas deliberate or not, the handling of the matter was bun-gled to the point that France felt slighted. China, of course,reacted with outrage to the announcement. It is someachievement when the same manoeuvre angers both theFrench and the Chinese.

l Cont. on page 12

Breakfast with Bwana Mauritius Times Friday, October 29, 2021 5

Anil Madan

Nine Months of President Biden - Taking Stock

“China's threat to Taiwan continues to take on ominous overtones. Justthe other day, Biden blurted out a comment that the US is prepared to

defend Taiwan against an attack by China. This conflicts with the official USpolicy that is known as "strategic ambiguity." US State Department officials

were quick to walk back Biden's comments to suggest that there is nochange in US policy. So, we now have a doctrine of strategic idiocy...”

Pic Credit: via Reuters

Spotlights Mauritius Times Friday, October 29, 2021 6

Chinese hypersonic testlike a ‘Sputnik moment’:

Top US generalThe Pentagon's top general, Mark Milley, said

Wednesday that China's recent test of an earth-circling hypersonic missile was akin to the Soviet Union'sstunning launch of the world's first satellite, Sputnik, in1957, which sparked the superpowers' space race. Milley,chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, confirmed for the firsttime the Chinese test of a nuclear-capable missile thatwould be very difficult to defend against.

The US Department of Defense had previouslydeclined to confirm the test, first reported by the FinancialTimes on October 16. The newspaper said the Augusttest launch caught Washington by surprise, reports AFP.

The missile circled the Earth at a low altitude and avelocity of more than five times the speed of sound,although it missed its target by more than 30 kilometers(19 miles), according to the Financial Times.

China denied the report, saying it was a routine test ofa reusable space vehicle.

Hypersonics are the new frontier in missile techno-logy, because they fly lower and so are harder to detectthan ballistic missiles, can reach targets more quickly, andare maneuverable. That makes them more dangerous,particularly if mounted with nuclear warheads.

The United States, Russia, China and North Koreahave all tested hypersonics and several others are deve-loping the technology. China in 2019 unveiled a hyper-sonic medium-range missile, the DF-17, which can travelaround 2,000 kilometres and can carry nuclear warheads.The missile mentioned in the FT story is a different one,with a longer range. It can be launched into orbit beforecoming back into the atmosphere to hit its target.

Asked Wednesday about China's test, Pentagonspokesman John Kirby again declined to confirm it.

The August test launch caught Washington by surprise. Pic - WION News

The Saudi Fund for Developmentsaid it is depositing $3 billion in

the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). Itadded that an official directive wasissued to supply $1.2 billion tofinance Pakistan's oil products tradeduring the year. This comes as arespite for Pakistan, which is battlinga deep economic crisis, reports ANI.

Pakistan prime minister ImranKhan had on Monday met SaudiArabia's Crown Prince Mohammedbin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud onthe sidelines of the Middle EastGreen Initiative (MGI) summit inRiyadh, which he was invited toattend at the crown prince's invitation.

Earlier, Saudi Arabia had provideda USD 6 billion financial package,including $3 billion deposits into theState Bank of Pakistan and theremaining $3 billion for oil facility ondeferred payment on an annualbasis.

Last year, the decade-long friend-ship between both countries took asharp turn when Foreign MinisterShah Mehmood Qureshi's issued ablunt warning to Saudi Arabia after

the latter refused to act against Indiaover the Kashmir issue.

On the first anniversary of the revocation of Article 370 by India,Qureshi took Saudi Arabia to task in aTV interview for not obliging Pakistanover the issue of 'organising' a meeting of the Council of Organi-zation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)Foreign Ministers (CFM) on Kashmirin early February 2020.

Qureshi's remarks revivedRiyadh's anger, who had forcedPakistan to pay back USD 1 billionprematurely.

Riyadh has helped Islamabadmany times including helping in paying for Pakistan's first batch of F-16 fighter aircraft in the 1980s andproviding USD 6 billion loans thathelped Pakistan tide over its balanceof payments crisis just two years ago.

Saudi Arabia sends $3 billion package to help outcash-strapped Pakistan

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, right, greets Pakistan's prime minister Imran Khan,left, during the Green Initiative Summit in Riyadh, on Monday, Oct. 25. Pic - AP

The United States on Tuesdayforcefully criticised Israel for the

first time in years on its settlements,with president Joe Biden's adminis-tration saying it "strongly" opposednew construction on the West Bank.The reaction comes after four yearsunder Donald Trump in which theUnited States offered a green light toIsrael's activity on occupied Pales-tinian land, with his secretary ofstate, Mike Pompeo, touring a settle-ment at the end of his tenure.

The State Department underBiden had repeatedly warned

against settlement construction andon Tuesday sharply criticized Israelafter it moved ahead, reports AFP.

"We are deeply concerned aboutthe Israeli government's plan toadvance thousands of settlementunits" on Wednesday as well as tenders published Sunday for morethan 1,300 homes, State Departmentspokesman Ned Price said.

Price stopped short of saying thedecision would jeopardize relationswith Israel. But he said that theadministration would "raise this issue

directly with senior Israeli officials inour private sessions."

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett isa right-winger close to the settlementmovement, although he leads acoalition with centrists who seek topreserve stable relations with theUnited States.

Housing Minister Zeev Elkin ispart of the right-wing New Hopeparty and said the settlements were"essential to the Zionist vision" ofstrengthening Jewish presence inthe West Bank.

Under Biden, US criticises Israel on settlements for first time in years

China added 307 billionaires in the pastone year with the list of the country's

richest persons now headed by its "bottledwater king", followed by the founder ofTikTok and then by the country's "batteryking", the annual Hurun list of the wealthyrevealed on Wednesday.

New energy propelled eight of the 10fastest rising wealthy persons, whileembattled property moguls and those facing regulatory scrutiny including thehigh-profile Jack Ma, who had oncetopped the Hurun list for three consecutiveyears, slipped down the ladder, the newrankings revealed, reports HindustanTimes.

Zhong Shanshan topped this year'sHurun China Rich List 2021 with his per-sonal wealth pegged at of $60.6 billionbecause of a surge in the value of his listed companies, Nongfu Spring andBeijing Wantai Biological PharmacyEnterprise, which manufactures vaccinesbesides Covid-19 diagnostic kits.

Zhang Yiming, 38, founder of TikTok,banned in India in 2020 because of natio-nal security issues, tripled his wealth lastyear, and is now second on the list with$52.8 billion in his kitty.

Battery king Zeng Yuqun, 53, of CATL,the world's number of battery-maker forEVs, tripled his wealth to take him to third

spot with $47.4bn.Tencent Holdings' Pony Ma, and Jack

Ma, founder of Alibaba Group rounded outthe top five.

The rich list is a ranking of the richestindividuals in China, with a wealth cut-offof 2 billion yuan, equivalent to $310 million.

New energy has had an amazing year,while real estate, home tutoring services,pork production and video gaming havehad a bad year, Rupert Hoogewerf, HurunReport's chairperson and chief researcher,said.

*Contd on page 7

China added 307 billionaires last year as new energy sector propels wealth

Zhong Shanshan topped this year's Hurun ChinaRich List 2021 with his personal wealth pegged atof $60.6 billion because of a surge in the value of

his listed companies.Pic - d1e00ek4ebabms.cloudfront.net

The world is on track for anaverage temperature rise of2.7°C this century if the only

steps on climate action it takes arethe commitments announced tillnow, the United NationsEnvironment Programme (UNEP)said on Tuesday, a fresh warningahead of the Glasgow climatechange conference (COP 26) laterthis month.The 2.7°C breaches the Paris

Agreement's target of 2°C and theIntergovernmental Panel on ClimateChange (IPCC) has been warning ofcatastrophic consequences if theplanet is allowed to warm beyond anaverage temperature of 2°C com-pared to pre-industrial age levels,reports Jayashree Nandi ofHindustan Times.According to the UNEP's

'Emissions Gap Report 2021: TheHeat Is On', the updated nationally

determined contributions (NDCs) byvarious countries and other commit-ments made for action till 2030 willonly reduce annual greenhouse gasemissions in 2030 by 7.5% com-pared to the previous round of com-mitments in 2015. Reductions of30% are needed to meet ParisAgreement's 2°C goal and 55% tokeep global warming under 1.5° C, itadded.As of September 30, 120 coun-

tries, representing just over half ofglobal greenhouse gas emissions,had communicated new or updatedNDCs. UNEP has also consideredannouncements of new mitigationpledges for 2030 by China, Japanand the Republic of Korea whichhave not yet been submitted asNDCs for analysis in the report.There is a 66% chance of hitting

global warming of 2.7°C by end ofthe century with the present formal-

ly submitted and announced NDCs."To stand a chance of limiting globalwarming to 1.5°C, we have eightyears to take an additional 28 giga-tonnes of CO2 equivalent (GtCO2e)off annual emissions, over andabove what is promised in theupdated NDCs and other commit-ments - equivalent to almost halvingcurrent greenhouse gas emissions,"the report warned.

"Today I have bad news. Lessthan one week before COP26 inGlasgow, we are still on track for cli-mate catastrophe. The 2021Emissions Gap Report shows thateven with present NationallyDetermined Contributions and othercommitments of countries aroundthe world, we are indeed on track fora catastrophic global temperaturerise of around 2.7°C," UN secretary-general, Antonio Guterres said during the launch of the report.

Spotlights Mauritius Times Friday, October 29, 2021 7

World on track for 2.7°C temprise this century, warns UN 65 years ago, Mauritius Times was founded with a resolve to

fight for justice and fairness and the advancement of the public good. It has never deviated from this principle no matterhow daunting the challenges and how costly the price it has hadto pay at different times of our history.

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Google parent Alphabet Inc. reported quarterlysales that topped Wall Street estimates, reflectingrobust advertiser spending, but disappointing

results from its YouTube and cloud-computing divisionsweighed on the stock.Third-quarter revenue, excluding payments to distri-

bution partners, was about $53.6 billion, the companysaid Tuesday in a statement. Analysts projected $52.6 bil-lion, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. YouTubead revenue and Google Cloud sales both fell short of ana-lysts’ estimates, driving the shares down about 1% inextended trading, reports Bloomberg. Chief Executive Officer Sundar Pichai has tried to

keep Alphabet’s revenue engine chugging along by prioritising three areas: e-commerce, YouTube, and cloud

computing. That helped the internet giant rebound from adour 2020 when some marketers pared their budgets as

they coped with the initial shock of the Covid-19 pan-demic. In the most recent quarter, the retail, travel, andmedia and entertainment industries heavily advertised onGoogle’s platforms, the company said. Still, the company’s fortunes remain highly dependent

on macroeconomic factors, including supply-chain dol-drums that have plagued nearly every industry and couldbite retailers and ad companies during the holiday shop-ping season. The Mountain View, California-based com-pany also has been let down by its video platformYouTube and its cloud arm, both of which are meant tohelp it diversify away from the core search engine thatbrings in most of its revenue.The shares fell as low as $2,700 in extended trading

after closing at $2,786.17. The stock has jumped 59%this year.Google recently launched its line of Pixel 6 smart-

phones, the company’s latest effort to break into the com-petitive consumer-electronics market. But like other ma-nufacturers, Google’s hardware unit is dealing with diffi-culties getting enough supplies, Porat said.

Google growth marred by disappointingresult in YouTube, cloud computing sectors

The brand logo of Alphabet Inc's Google is seen in this picturetaken with a fisheye lens. Pic - Reuters

Smoke rises from chimneys at the Suralaya coal power plant in Cilegon, Indonesia. Pic - AFP

Interview Mauritius Times Friday, October 29, 2021 8

Mauritius Times: If what's beingtalked about and debated on socialmedia may not clearly reflect the gene-ral mood in the country presently - intowns and villages, in the workplaceand elsewhere, what then could themood be like judging from your socialand professional interactions?

Chetan Ramchurn: As your readersmust have experienced firsthand, socialmedia are a hotbed for attention seekersand moderate views are few and farbetween. These platforms are however animportant cog in any democracy offering avital space for people to express them-selves. With the new Cybersecurity andCybercrime Bill, these bastions of freeexpression will be curtailed.

Another facet that they might havecome across is the overt obsequiousnessin some of the views expressed. Servilityand promoting government narratives, hasexisted under all regimes, but with "chat-waism", it has been elevated to an art formakin to tight rope walking. This markedabsence of conviction and of truth (nihilveri) can create ridiculous situationswhereby you find people denouncing theabomination of some of the ill-thought government expenditure or political nomi-nations while simultaneously liking postsby the same nominees.

Liking two contradictory ideas is thezeitgeist. Macron's en même temps is acelebration of that pragmatic attitude how-ever irreconcilable two views might be. It isnow synonymous with an absence of clarity and sheer opportunism. This is inline with the mimetic tendencies describedby late Bernard Stiegler in his workAutomatic Society:

"These technologies of social networking are produced by what is calledthe network effect, which means that youare forced to go on Facebook, for example, because all your friends are onFacebook; it is a very mimetic technology.This technology is integrating several levels of automatic behavior. […] And herethe problem is that with digital technology,automated technology, it is possible tocontrol the automatisms of everybody andto make them converge into the interest ofthe controller."

Through interactions with others, theperception that one can gather is that thepopulation understands that billions arebeing poured in numerous infrastructuralprojects, many of which serve the narrativeof Pravind Jugnauth as a builder. These,

as we are constantly reminded of, alsoserve as PR shticks for the Premier withribbon cutting exercises offering a staple ofnews bulletins. Are all these projects reallywarranted? I would think not.

Actions since 2014 have focused onkeeping two segments happy: people atthe two ends of the socio-economic ladder.Hence, the minimum wage has been aboon for low-earning families while the oligarchs know that the Governmentserves them loyally and shall disburse thefunds that they would need for a quickreturn to higher profitability (Smart City

Scheme, Illovo deal, MIC). What of the lower and middle-middle

class? They find themselves increasinglysqueezed by several issues: price hikes, atotal absence of meritocracy, law and orderwoes and wilting institutions.

What then could the mood in the coun-try? There is resignation among many whofeel that we are stuck with incompetents atthe helm of the country. This pessimismstems from glaring malpractices.

* The country's border has beenreopened, economic activities are backto normal, Mauritius has been removedfrom the FATF 'grey list', the civil ser-vants have had their slice of the PRBcake, and the public broadcaster istelling us every day about all the'développements' taking place in thecountry. It's not known if the people areoptimistic about the future, but it seemsthe feel-good factor is slowly gettingback. What do you think?

Clearly there are things to look forwardto which have been massively overhypedby the servile press. Mauritians unders-tand the importance of the return of touriststo our shores. Likewise, we should behappy that we are no longer part of theFATF grey list without however forgettingthat we were placed on that list because ofthe frailty of our institutions.

Are these institutions now headed by

competent individuals? Several of thenominees seem to have been handpickedfor features other than their capabilities.

As for the Covid-19 pandemic, MinisterJagutpal's answer at the last sitting of theNational Assembly is a clear reminder thatwe are not yet out of the clutches of thevirus with a steep rise in cases and relateddeaths in the last months:

"from 01 October 2021 to 24 October2021, my Ministry has effected 44,838Rapid Antigen Tests, out of which 12,026have been found positive." Can one reallysay that 'il y a une embellie' but what is thehorizon'?

On the other hand, a compelling ques-tion that we should be asking ourselves is:Do our leaders have a clear vision of howthey want Mauritius to be in 10 years?

The seeds that are being sown at themoment seem to be focused on otheraspects than the welfare of Mauritians.The new paradigm is one that focuses onenticing foreigners with the appealing taxrates. In the future, will the only safehavens be gated residences? Will our lawenforcing agencies still be crippled bypolitical interferences? Will the opacity sur-rounding emergency procurement andcontracts continue to exist? Will properplanning be undertaken before embarkingupon gargantuan projects? Will communaland casteist hatred continue to be stokedprior to elections for political gains?

* Contd on page 9

“I do not believe that the power to liberate Mauritius is vested in any one individual”

Chetan Ramchurn shares his dispassionate thoughts about the current political situation and the impression of a status-quo in Oppositionwhile the MSM presses on with activities designed to project the PM's image as "builder". Despite weekly press conferences, there is as yet

no clear set of values and principles espoused by the Opposition, and this may create a sense of frustration or even a void propitious to "monsters". Mauritian apathy and the greed of those benefiting from government largesse, with policies targeting the two ends of the

economic ladder, may, in that event, hold the nation hostage to the current disposition of power according to his analysis.

“ The opposition offers asorry sight and has yet to

offer a substitute to the presentway of governing. Will it be the

same bending over for conglomerates and kowtowing

to foreign powers? To comeback to that search for an

elusive leader, he or she can neither be based on the whimsof an already maligned leader

nor be determined by a surname. Now might be the

time to pave the way for greatertransparency and democracy

within, to begin with, oppositionparties themselves...”

“ I am wary of the creation ofa void, which as Gramsci

avers could lead to the creationof monsters. Aristotle

postulates that nature abhors avacuum which is bound to be

filled by someone or something.The collapse of the MMM andthe MLP in 2014 gave rise toone such monster and I feelthere could be a similar void

which could give rise to a partywith populist tendencies...”

Interview Mauritius Times Friday, October 29, 2021 9

* Contd from page 8

* If there seems to be a clear political objectivebacked by resolute and sustained efforts by the governing alliance to show that it's delivering on itselectoral promises, on the other side of the fence wefind the opposition parties still trying to find their way-- and a leader. How do you react to that?

Indeed, the mainstream opposition parties seem to bestuck in a modus operandi that is dated with most of theirefforts geared towards criticism and promoting their leaders' children and many of the niche factions seem tobe led by individuals lacking in credibility. The most disturbing aspect is that the most bitter adversaries of thepresent regime are those that have been ousted from itsranks; advisors, MPs or Ministers now seemingly enligh-tened and finally waking up to the smells emanating fromthe many misses since 2014.

The opposition offers a sorry sight and has yet to offera substitute to the present way of governing. Will it be thesame bending over for conglomerates and kowtowing toforeign powers? To come back to that search for an elusive leader, he or she can neither be based on thewhims of an already maligned leader nor be determinedby a surname. Now might be the time to pave the way forgreater transparency and democracy within, to begin with,opposition parties themselves.

* To be fair to the opposition parties, the Covid regulations had restricted their movements and theholding of rallies, leaving them with the only option ofmaking their presence felt through weekly press conferences, jointly or separately. But it seems thegeneral feeling, even amongst political observers, isthat the opposition does not represent an alternativeoption so far. What's you take on that?

There is an arsenal of communication tools availableto opposition factions that are yet to be exploited. Theproblem is not the platform they choose or dearth thereofbut the message and philosophy they espouse. There isthe absence of a narrative that would translate their visionfor the country. What are the values that they are defen-ding? Equal Opportunities? Integrity? Meritocracy? Truthbe told, no one quite knows.

This is why many feel that another party coming topower will not fundamentally change their lives. They willkeep pandering to the very rich and throw in some populistmeasures. The Mauritius Labour Party came with the brilliant idea of democratisation in 2005 and instead ofimplementing it in several key sectors, sent mixed signalsto progressive voters.

This blurring of lines whereby there seems no clear difference between governing and opposing factions isfurther accentuated by the presence of former MSM mem-bers within opposition ranks. People need clarity in thechoices that are being offered to them.

* Isn't it possible that the opposition front with itsold parties and leaders is unable to keep up with thepace of the younger MSM party and its leadership?The problem could have more to do with generationaldifferences than the absence of a consensual leaderfor the 'L'Entente de l'Espoir', and which thereforemakes the case for the renewal of its leadership?

The MSM's renewal is cosmetic. In a previous inter-view, I interpreted this renewal of cadres as an endorse-ment of Tancredi's line in Visconti's Le Guépard, "Il fautque tout change pour que rien ne change" -- that is, "Forthings to remain the same, everything must change".

That is a formula that seems to have worked for them

at the last polls but if anyone gauges the level of most ofthese new MPs, it is alarmingly disappointing. This isnothing very new with the MSM, hardly anyone remem-bers their MPs from 1983, 1987 or 1991. Their mantra isa simple one: one highly polarising leader with the help ofthe financiers and the press ensures that other candidatesin other constituencies can ride his coattails and get elec-ted.

Having seen the performance of the new MPs and thederision that they have attracted, it would be difficult toimagine that they are the difference makers in the battleagainst the opposition. Hollow speeches to celebrateJugnauth Junior with hardly any idea put forward seemsto be their only legacy.

I feel that the image war is on and is clearly being dominated by Pravind Jugnauth. Clearly, if you put theopposition's stale press conferences next to multi-millionor billion infrastructure, it is not difficult to judge whoscores more points. The opposition parties are unable tofight against that, but they can still propose an alternativeto the present society.

In Mauritius, the fight is always between the incumbentPrime Minister and the shadow one. There is no escapingthat. Unless and until we have a credible shadow primeminister who emerges, we could have to put up with anMSM-led government for years to come. The oppositionshould work towards identifying, through primaries, theone with the best aptitudes to win.

* However there has not been a dearth of caseswith the potential to cause tremendous politicalembarrassment to the government: Wakashio, theemergency procurements, the murder of Soopra-manien Kistnen, etc. Many a government would havecollapsed given those circumstances. The party inpower has survived all of these and will possibly winthe forthcoming electoral petitions as well. Why isthat so?

Yes, there are damning cases against the present government. The apathy of Mauritians added to the greedof those benefiting from the system will ensure that thisgovernment does not collapse.

Let me add that there have been public demonstra-tions that have been hugely successful. Not everyone is atease with the present state of affairs. The crowd combineda hotchpotch of causes with no sense of direction and noleader, albeit improvised ones, which explain why oncethe public demonstrations were over, nothing would hap-pen. The public outcry has led to some resignations whichis hardly something that will appease protesters.

Zizek tells us "Just think, don't act", and that we should

"not get caught in pseudo-activist pressure [of] doingsomething." Future actions, if tainted by communal leanings or fringe causes or driven by attention seekingfigures, are unlikely to succeed and will only serve to bolster the Government.

The Opposition should go back to the drawing boardand pen their vision of the society that they would like tocreate.

* Have we reached a point where the people do notcare anymore so long as their financial needs are metand their old-age pensions will be taken care of?

That would be a dangerous stance. Certainly, peopleare more individualistic and Mauritians are not differentfrom the global trend. I am reassured that despite all thecarrots offered to the population, the last elections werewon by an alliance with only 37.68% of the votes.

I tend to put its win more on the inability of theOpposition to muster a credible alternative be it in termsof ideas and personnel than on the apathy of Mauritians.Still, that these incentives have swayed voters makes nodoubt. If these are the only considerations for future voters, we risk facing the perpetuation of a stale system.

* The next elections are three years away, and thegovernment remains united against a divided opposi-tion, and it's said that only the LP leader can untie theknot...

I do not believe that the power to liberate Mauritius isvested in any one individual. The leader of the LabourParty has his part to play and can be one of the voices tohelp topple this government.

I am wary of the creation of a void, which as Gramsciavers could lead to the creation of monsters. Aristotle pos-tulates that nature abhors a vacuum which is bound to befilled by someone or something. The collapse of the MMMand the MLP in 2014 gave rise to one such monster and Ifeel there could be a similar void which could give rise toa party with populist tendencies.

I still believe that the people hold the real power butunless they wake up to the real situation of the country,there is no rescuing Mauritius from the clutches of thepresent tribe in power.

‘The people hold the real power but unless they wake up to thereal situation of the country, there is no rescuing Mauritius’

“There have been public demonstrationsthat have been hugely successful. Not

everyone is at ease with the present stateof affairs. The crowd combined a

hotchpotch of causes with no sense ofdirection and no leader, albeit improvisedones, which explain why once the public

demonstrations were over, nothing wouldhappen. The public outcry has led to some

resignations which is hardly somethingthat will appease protesters...”

“The sign of a goodleader is not how manyfollowers you have, buthow many leaders you

create.”-- Mahatma Gandhi

All the qualities of agood leader can begleaned by stu-

dying the personalities ofthe leaders mentioned inmy previous article, pub-lished in MT, 26 Oct 21. Tostart with they have vision,knowledge, integrity, abilityto delegate, communication skills and grati-tude. They believe in unity and universalhuman rights, are educated and wellinformed, have learning agility, empathyand respect of all. They are consensusbuilders and have a sense of history. Theyhave the courage to take critical decisionsand believe in team work rather than beobsessed with instant gratification and per-sonal image building.

Good leadership is less about a strongor charismatic individual and more about agroup of people working together to achieveresults. The leader maximizes the efforts ofothers, for achieving a goal. He gives morecredit to his team when things go right andtakes more blame when things go wrong.He does not find fault but finds remedies.

Jim Rohn, the well-known Americanentrepreneur rightly said “the challenge ofleadership is to be strong but not rude; bekind but not weak; be bold but not a bully;be humble but not timid and be proud butnot arrogant.”

These qualities appear to be fairly ob-vious, and most leaders will have some ofthese qualities, if not all. So why is the num-ber of good contemporary leaders comingdown, and consequently, why is democracylosing its appeal?

Everything appeared to be going well tillthe 1970s and countries elected soundleaders with vision, not only for their coun-tries but also for the world as a whole. In a

democracy, where the government is theo-retically formed by representatives of thepeople, it is supposed to act for the people.Strategic vision for the nation is defined bythe peoples’ representatives, who work inunison irrespective of their party affiliations.

National leaders, once they occupy highconstitutional offices assume the mantle ofstatesmen and stand above the politics oftheir parties. They assume responsibility forthe welfare of all citizens. So long as thishappens everything is fine. Increasingly,however, what we started seeing across theworld was the emergence of cult leadersand the subversion of democratic systemsby ‘big money’.

Simultaneously, political parties in manycountries realised they could make up fortheir weaker popular support by spendinglarge amounts of money for propagandaand influencing the election outcomes.They started seeking increasingly largersums of money from the corporate sector,which in turn built leverage to influence thepolicies of the government.

A small set of oligarchs emerged whoused their cosy ties with the government toenrich themselves while denying due rightsto the working people, plundering thenation’s wealth and ravaging the environ-ment. They covertly become the real rulers,even though they were by no means repre-sentatives of the people.

Their vision was, however, short termand limited to consolidating individual

power. This is where things started goingwrong and governments failed their people.Lying by governments became the normand, quite wrongly, people started losingfaith in democracy.

Nation building or setting global objec-tives presumes commitment over a consi-derably long period of time. Leaders whoinitiate such plans may not see the out-comes in their working lives, or even theirentire lives. Such leaders, thus, perforceevolve into institution builders. They investtheir time and energy to set up systemswhich will be abiding in nature and will havethe strength and autonomy to keep movingahead over long periods of time. The leaderworking with a strategic vision will endea-vour to carry every member of his team withhis objectives and will entrust responsibilityto his team members.

The imperative lesson is that plans fornation building must have a wide consen-sus across the spectrum of all stakeholders,so that there is no discontinuity whenregimes change. Delaying a good decisionat the national level for lack of consensus,may have an opportunity cost, but bull-dozing through a decision without consen-sus, or through subterfuge, can be devas-tating and can cause long term setbacks forthe nation - the simple reason being thatsuch decisions will not be carried forwardwith the same conviction and commitmentafter a new regime comes to power.

The time and wealth lost in such dis-continuity is a huge burden on the nation. A

good leader will need to be open to newideas and accept contrary viewpoints - evencritical opinions. Above all he has to be aconstant learner - as President John F.Kennedy said: "Leadership and learningare indispensable to each other."

What happens when large corporatehouses get into positions to set the nationalagenda? As an illustration, if huge infras-tructure companies of a powerful countrywant to build roads, railways, ports, airports,power, water, telecommunication and simi-lar projects on a massive scale, they wouldneed to destroy the existing infrastructure inanother poor country, so that they can stepin and corner the multi-billion-dollar pro-jects, which will be funded by the people ofthe rich country or paid for by the naturalresources of the devastated nation.

In either case the people will lose theirwealth. “We the people” – the taxpayers ofthe country, whose intelligence agencies, atthe behest of the corporate-guided politicalleadership, created the strife and war, werenever consulted. The war was certainly notin their interest. Sounds familiar? The ques-tion here is - can the interest of a few cor-porate houses be called national interest?

The challenge is separation of politicalpower from big money. Nations will prosperand people will enjoy better standards of living only if their elected representativesare systemically insulated from big money.Can laws help? Most certainly they can; butwho will create those laws?

In most countries today political partiescriticise each other’s policies for the sake ofcoming to power. When it comes to trans-parency in running their own affairs, espe-cially in matters of raising election and partyfunds, all of them come together to maintainthe status quo. Expecting change to comefrom political parties is therefore a pipedream. The change can come only througha peoples’ awakening. People have to riseand say no to their exploitation and plunderof their nation’s riches.

We now come to the need for anotherlevel of leadership, a ‘Gandhian’ kind ofleadership to awaken the people, builtaround an unshakable faith in truth, ho-nesty, non-violence, love, peace, onenessof all humanity and a deep respect fornature. Sounds like wishful thinking? WellGandhi was real, isn’t it?

People will have to find a Gandhi - andthe world several more, to lead them out ofthe terrible mess we have created throughthe many false narratives which have beenbuilt to push narrow selfish agendas. All itneeds is to educate the masses so that theycan sift truth from falsehood. An informedand questioning people will always electgood leaders. Can we start making an effortto educate the people in small circlesaround us?

Musings Mauritius Times Friday, October 29, 2021 10

Arvind Saxena

The Crisis of Leadership

People will have to find a Gandhi -and the world several more

to lead them out of the terrible mess we have created through the many false narratives which have been built to push narrow selfish agendas

Pic - indiatoday

“We now come to the need for another level of leadership, a ‘Gandhian’ kind of leadershipto awaken the people, built around an unshakable faith in truth, honesty, non-violence,

love, peace, oneness of all humanity and a deep respect for nature...”

Arvind Saxena is a former Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission

(UPSC) in India.

The Conversation Mauritius Times Friday, October 29, 2021 11

The KEITH WATSON PLATE1450 m - Valeur [0-15] - 12h301111

The WHY WORRY PLATE1400 m - Valeur Benchmark 31 - 16h00

1 Dunzie

2 Big Smoke

3 What A Kid

4 Barak Lavan

5 Midnight Messenger

6 Sarah's Secret

7 Northern Rebel

8 New Golden Age

9 Special Force

CDASRGSNSPNCRJMHPSPN

61(-3)60(-4)60(-1.5)59.559.5(-4)5756.55554.5

769234518

4-2-4-5-28/3-1-7-33-6-4-8-35-5-3-8-93-3-8-1-R6-2-3-10-18-1-8-5-74/8-5-6-23/4-8-10-2

650700

15001100310450

2000350

1400

M.SonaramI.TakaM.TeetanN.MardayN.S.BatchameahP.K.HorilR.K.ChumunK.RamsamyR.Hoolash

1 Almost Winter

2 Carlo Collodi

3 Doublethink

4 Jack Tarr

5 Mauritius

6 Mezuzah

7 Pin Drop

8 Seventh Rule

PSPNRGRMSHSJSPNSM

60606059.559.559.559.5(-4)58.5

13724568

0-0-0-0-90-0-0-0-62-3-3-3-30-0-0-0-20-0-1-1-20-0-5-4-40-4-3-2-32-4-9/9-2

20002500650250180800

11002000

O.SolaR.VaibhavB.SoofulP.C.OrfferI.SantanaB.WoodworthN.S.BatchameahD.Bheekary

1 Lickerio

2 Protea Paradise

3 Viking Trail

4 Ballantine Hall

5 Itdawnedonme

6 Flowerscape

7 Memphis Mafia

8 Candle Cove

9 Amandla

10 Dreamforest

ASRGSJGSHRGRMSNJMHCD

61(-4)6161606059.559.55956.553

8147

1063925

10-8-5-6-75-5-8-8-92-2-3-8-79/5-2-1-410-7-2-1-54-2-1-6-12-4-6-2-30-0-6-4-45-1-3-1-82-5-4-6-4

20002000400500650450350

1500900

3500

N.S.BatchameahB.BhaugeerotheeB.WoodworthK.RamsamyI.SantanaB.SoofulP.C.OrfferD.BheekaryT.JuglallP.K.Horil

1 Anderson

2 Promissory

3 Sand Path

4 Unbelievable Lad

5 Yankeedoodledandy

6 Jals Tiger

7 Travelin Man

8 Al Jazeera

9 Jacalac

10 James Peter

SJVACDASGGRRMCRPSN

61.5616160.560.5606059.559.5(-4)59.5

10482197653

0-8-7-6-64-4-5-7-51-1-5-2-47-9/7-6-611-8/3-3-42-4-1-2-52-4/3-4-20-0-4-1-70-7-4-R-10-1-6-5-6

1500800550

1200800

1200300

1200400800

B.WoodworthR.JoorawonD.BheekaryK.RamsamyS.BussuntB.SoofulP.C.OrfferP.K.HorilN.S.BatchameahO.Sola

1 John Hancock

2 Kaydens Pride

3 Charleston Hero

4 Yorktown

5 Zo Lucky

6 Lemon Drop Shot

7 Hakeem

8 Liverpool Champ

9 Desert Illusion

10 Gunston

11 The It Factor [EA]

GRMVARGSJASASGRSNSHSM

61.56160.560(-4)6059.55959575761.5

985641721131

3/6-1-5-61-1-2-2-2R-5-3-10-35-2-3-6-100-R-5-5-88/4-8-6-25-5-2-4/83-4-5-4-64-1-7-1-17-9-5-5-10-0-10-6-8

3000340

100012005000330

30001000600350-----

S.BussuntP.C.OrfferN.TeehaN.S.BatchameahB.WoodworthR.JoorawonP.K.HorilB.SoofulD.BheekaryI.Santana------------

The JOHNNY B GOODE PLATE990 m - Valeur [0-26] - 13h05

The VOLNAY PLATE1500 m - Valeur Benchmark 36 - 13h40

1 Red Mars2 Nourbese3 Blackburn Roc4 Hellofaride5 Backpacker6 Battle Of Alesia7 Brilliant Disguise8 Consul Of War9 Royal Italian

SJRMGRGVARGCRCDSN

60.56059.559.55958.5(-4)5857.5(-3)57

653719842

2/5-3-1-40-0-0-0-11-1/2-1-40-0-0-0-710-4-3-8-65-3-5-6-24-8-10-5-82/4-6-1-68-4-5-3-5

800170600

4000750600

400012001100

B.WoodworthP.C.OrfferN.TeehaB.SoofulR.JoorawonN.S.BatchameahP.K.HorilM.SonaramD.Bheekary

1 After The Order2 Rain Must Fall3 Digital Fortress4 Global Glory5 Hardfallingrain6 Intothemystic7 Ultimate Warrior8 Spry9 San Andreas [EA]

CRPSPNSMCDSNRGRMSJ

606059.559.5(-4)59.559.559.558.559

592174863

8/4-4-1-90-0-0-5-100-0-8-8-72-9-R-A-20-8-6-7-20-10-6-A-60-2-3-5-40-0-0-2-30-3-3-8-8

100033003500260370

1600700260----

P.K.HorilO.SolaR.VaibhavN.S.BatchameahD.BheekaryR.BeeharryB.SoofulP.C.Orffer------------

1 Senatla2 Sockeroo3 Swagger Jagger4 Taking Silk5 Times New Roman6 Bold Phoenix7 Cash Call8 Clouded Hill

CRGSMGRASSJSHJMH

616161(-4)59.559.5595956.5

42763518

8-3/4-4-57-R-3-7-37-1-4-5-50-3-2-7-70-0-5-9-32-7-5-5-45/8-5-4-77-5-6-9-7

3000800600650650400240

5000

P.MogunK.RamsamyN.S.BatchameahN.TeehaB.SoofulB.WoodworthI.SantanaD.Bheekary

The CHATTURGOON HURCHUND MEMORIAL TROPHY1450 m - Valeur Benchmark 41 - 14h15

The GOLDEN GLOBE CUP600 m - Valeur Benchmark 46 - 14h50

The VALLEE PITOT PLATE1365 m - Valeur [0-25] - 16h35

The SIR RADHAMOHUN GUJADHUR CUP1600 m - Valeur Benchmark 56 - 15h25

Programme des Courses29è journée samedi 30 octobre 2021

ll Cont. from page 2

Wicked and adaptive problems

The pandemic presents a particular typeof problem for political leaders, described as“wicked” or “adaptive” by leadership expertsKeith Grint and Ronald Heifetz, respectively.

Basically, wicked or adaptive problemshave complex and contentious causes, ge-nerating equally complex and contentiousresponses.

Their “wickedness” isn’t fundamentally aquestion of morality, although they do typi-cally entail making values-based choices.Rather, it refers to how difficult they are to

contend with. Poverty, thehousing crisis and climatechange are other good exam-ples of these kinds of pro-blems.

Wicked/adaptive pro-blems don’t have clear boun-daries, nor are they static.They have multiple dynamicdimensions. Their effects ty-pically spill out into manyparts of our lives and organi-sations, creating confusion,harmful consequences and

disruption to established routines.

“Clumsy” leadership

To make matters worse, there simplyaren’t tried and trusted solutions that canresolve or dissolve such problems. Instead,they require leaders to accustom people touncomfortable and disruptive changes toestablished ways of thinking and acting.

Unsurprisingly, many leaders avoid fa-cing up to such difficulties, requiring as itdoes the cobbling together of a range ofimperfect responses to ever-changing cir-cumstances. It requires constant engage-ment, mobilising people to help craft a way

forward. Leaders can’t and don’t have all theanswers to such problems. Whateveranswers they do have likely need to keepchanging as things unfold. The best possiblescenario is what Grint calls a “clumsy” solu-tion – a patchwork of adaptive initiatives thatblunt the problem’s worst effects.

Only genuinely transformative changecan truly overcome these wicked or adaptiveproblems in the long run.

Conflict and criticism areinevitable

In the meantime, “clumsy” leadershipwill typically trigger conflict between lea-ders and citizens (or employees in a worksetting), and among those people too.There will be blame, recrimination, avoi-dance, denial, grief, “what ifs” and “if onlys”,as people struggle to deal with the changesneeded.

Indeed, all these very normal res-ponses have characterised much of thecommentary about the Ardern govern-ment’s decision to change tack.

That criticism, however, doesn’t meanshe has failed in her leadership responsibi-lities. Instead, she has required the popula-tion to face up to an adaptive challenge. It’s

unavoidably contentious and painful.For all that we can debate whether dif-

ferent decisions could or should have beenmade, the difficulties involved in facing thenew reality are unavoidable.

To help people navigate this, Ardern isseeking to “regulate distress”, as Heifetzre-commends. She has repeatedly assuredpeople a cautious approach remains inplace and has appeared not to have beendistracted by the criticism.

Instead, she has stayed focused onmobilising the individual and collectiveeffort to follow the rules and get vaccinated.

Least-worst options

Wicked/adaptive problems are notamenable to resolution by way of quick,easy or elegant answers. They aren’t fixedby recourse to command and control,although some top-down decisions areneeded.

They entail ambiguity and uncertainty, aconstant piecing together of efforts to out-flank, mitigate or adapt, giving rise toinevitably imperfect or “clumsy” solutions.

Asking people to adjust to efforts toachieve the least-worst outcome possiblefrom a range of unpalatable options maynot be the easiest path to political populari-ty. But it is arguably what responsible lea-ders do.

Why Jacinda Ardern’s ‘clumsy’ leadership responseto Delta could still be the right approach

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Selections

1. New Golden Age, Midnight Messenger, Dunzie2. Mauritius, Doublethink, Pin Drop3. Memphis Mafia, Viking Trail, Flowerscape4. Cash Call, Bold Phoenix, Sockeroo5. Desert Illusion, Kaydens Pride, Charleston Hero6. Nourbese, Battle Of Alesia, Blackburn Roc7. Travelin Man, Jacalac, Yankeedoodledandy8. Spry, Global Glory, Hardfallingrain,

Pic - static.australianonlinenews.com.au

By Suze Wilson, Massey University

Matters of the Moment Mauritius Times Friday, October 29, 2021 12

THE RAY SETCHES PLATE1500 m - Valeur [0-15] - 12h301111

THE CHERRY BITE PLATE1500 m - Valeur Benchmark 31 - 16h00

1. MIDNIGHT ORACLE

2. MILLION DOLLAR MAN

3. JET PATH

4. NEWSMAN

5. VALERIN

6.BARKING IRONS

7.MINALOUSHE VENTURE

8. BYPASS

SPNCRVARGCDSNASSPN

62(-4)61.5(-1.5)59.5(-3)59.5(-4)59.5(-3)57.557(-1.5)56.5

36482517

5-3-7-4-10-3-7-2-74-4-6-6-106-4-2-2-22-6-5-3-44-4-7-9/107-10-8-9-78/2-2-5-8

N.S.BatchameahM.TeetanA.RoyI.TakaM.SonaramS.BussuntB.DeenathT.Juglall

1. COUNT JACK

2. ALRAMZ

3. HORSE GUARDS

4. ROB ROY

5. TRIPLE FATE LINE

6. MARAUDING

7. BERGERAC

8. HUYSSTEEN

GRRMCDVASHGASRG

616058.5(-3)57.5(-3)57.556.55252

78453162

0-6-6-7-39-1-4-7-65-1/4-2-43/2-1-2-1R/1-1-3-12-8-3-4-20-0-9-R-81/1-3-5-6

N.TeehaP.C.OrfferM.SonaramA.RoyI.SantanaR.JoorawonP.K.HorilT.Juglall

1. ALAMEERY

2. TRIPOD

3. SHORT CUT

4. BOUND BY DUTY

5. SAVVY

6. HARDWIRED

7. COPENHAGEN

SJCRCDRMSJPVA

61.56160.5(-3)606059.559(-3)

5126473

4-2-1-2-43/5-7-4-80-0-0-8-71-1/6-2-97/9-6-7-40-5-2/1-16-1-3-6-6

B.WoodworthP.K.HorilM.SonaramP.C.OrfferT.JuglallK.KalychurunA.Roy

THE JUNGLE SANDS PLATE1850 m - Valeur [0-25] - 13h05

THE BAND MASTER PLATE1365 m - Valeur Benchmark 36 - 13h40

1. CITADEL2. MOUNTED WARRIOR3. OVERDOSE4. CAPTAIN SCABIOSA5. PERFECT PURSUIT6. EAGLES VISION7. THE TIME IS NOW8. ITALIAN WAY9. SIBERIAN HUSKY

GCDASSHSNSPNSPNVACR

606060(-4)59.559.558.558.558(-3)57

465812379

0-0-3-7-30-0-5-6-38-1-5-9-60-0-8-9-56-5-5-10-53-2-1-2-60-6-6-7-83-4-5-6-108-4-2-2-6

B.SoofulR.JoorawonN.S.BatchameahI.SantanaO.SolaR.VaibhavK.RamsamyA.RoyP.K.Horil

1. UNDERCOVER AGENT2. ALYAASAAT3. BARITONE4. KAMADEVA5. FOOLS GOLD

RMGRCRRGRM

615855.55352

13524

3/5-1-1-12/1-4-5-82-3/3-2-31-2-2-9-13/6-3-4-8

P.C.OrfferB.SoofulP.K.HorilR.JoorawonT.Juglall

1. CARLTON HEIGHTS2. MOON JUMPER3. STONE CIRCLE4. FOLLOW SUIT5. MIDDLE PATH6. LEAD SINGER7. SUPREME ORATOR8. ZENO9. THE HITMAN10. BETATHANTHEREST

ASGRMCDRGPCRSMSHSJ

60(-4)606059.5(-3)59.559595958.558

5321678

1094

3-3-7-5-90-0-0-6-50-0-8-R-70-8-4-2-67-7-2-4-89-7-7-7-29-6/C-7-28/5-5-7-7nouveau6-7-8-8-4

N.S.BatchameahR.JoorawonP.C.OrfferM.SonaramB.BhaugeerotheeO.SolaP.K.HorilR.K.ChumunI.SantanaB.Woodworth

1. NEVER FEAR2. POWER TOWER3. SKIP THE RED4. RUBY SPIRIT5. AL MADHAR6. LADDER MAN7. OPAGUE8. THE JAZZ SINGER9. WELL CONNECTED

CDRGRMASGRPGSHVA

60(-3)606059.559595958.558.5(-3)

285396714

1-1/2-1/11-6-7-2-54-5-6-2-14-2-1-5-80-4-4-7-14-7/8-9-R2-1-9-4-16-9/6-7-89-6-1-10-3

M.SonaramK.RamsamyP.C.OrfferP.K.HorilN.TeehaO.SolaR.JoorawonI.SantanaA.Roy

1. ROLL OF DRUMS2. DROP KICK3. GIGGIN4. SENOR'S GUEST5. PFORZHEIM6. SIX DEGREES7. RED ROCK CANYON

CDVASMGRSPNSNSPN

60.560(-3)59.5(-4)59585853

6472351

7-6-5/9-82-9-4-11-35-5-6-6-17-3-1-1-62-R-5-1-14-1-2-2-40-10-10-8-8

P.K.HorilA.RoyN.S.BatchameahB.SoofulR.VaibhavO.SolaT.Juglall

THE FRANTZ MERVEN CUP1850 m - Valeur Benchmark 41 - 14h15

THE DISA LEADER CUP1365 m - Valeur [50+] - 14h50

THE ALLEE BRILLANT PLATE1500 m - Valeur [0-25] - 16h35

THE COLONEL DRAPER CUP1500 m - Valeur G.2 - 15h25

Programme des Courses30ème journée

dimanche 31 octobre 2021

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66661. NEWSMAN, MIDNIGHT ORACLE, VALERIN2. CITADEL, EAGLES VISION, SIBERIAN HUSKY3. HARDWIRED, ALAMEERY, SAVVY4. SENOR'S GUEST, SIX DEGREES, PFORZHEIM5. TRIPLE FATE LINE, ROB ROY, MARAUDING6. UNDERCOVER AGENT, ALYAASAAT, BARITONE7. NEVER FEAR, OPAGUE, SKIP THE RED8. LEAD SINGER, FOLLOW SUIT, SUPREME ORATOR

ll Cont. from page 4

Is the government so cut off from the cryingworld and local climate change reality not to knowthat coal, petroleum and fossil fuels are foul wordsand are anathema to the multitude and in particularthe young. No one wants the seabed and subsoil ofour maritime zones to be rummaged and exten-sively dug for petroleum nor want it to be an elusivenew pillar of the economy. Why is government sorashly pursuing the pipe dream of a petroleumindustry when the cardinal message of climatechange scientists and the IPCC is that the worldmust stop using highly polluting coal, petroleum andfossil fuels to produce electricity and an energysource if we want to save planet earth and huma-nity from an impending climate change disaster?

As a small island developing state, Mauritius isparticularly vulnerable to the dire fallouts of climatechange. It is already being adversely affected bycoastal erosion, the bleaching of corals, rising sealevel and temperature and their adverse impact onbiodiversity. Rising sea level could also affect lowcoastal areas. Is it rational and credible to press themost polluting countries of the world to drasticallycut down their carbon emissions in the atmosphereto stem the adverse impact of climate change onSIDS and our planet while in the same breath expe-dite the process to facilitate the prospection, explo-ration and production of petroleum in the pristinewaters of the maritime zones of Mauritius? Has thegovernment not yet cottoned on to the fact that coal,petroleum and fossil fuels are out? We risk beingfaulted by such double standards. Such mixed sig-nals and questionable choices and rigour are detri-mental to the image of Mauritius at a time when weare canvassing the support of the caucus of nationsin our battle to fully exercise our sovereignty over

the Chagos Archipelago.Lifeline

The government fixation with fossil fuels is notonly limited to petroleum. It also applies to coal.Government has undertaken to increase the pro-duction of electricity from renewable sources ofenergy through wind farms, solar energy, biomass,wave and waste-to-energy projects to 60% by 2030and to eliminate coal by 2030. This basically meansextending the lifeline of lucrative power plants usinghighly polluting coal by another 9 years. The realityis that the share of renewable energy in 2020 is apaltry 13.3%, of which only 1% was obtained fromsolar energy. In contrast, 86.7% or the lion share ofour energy requirements continue to be producedfrom fossil fuels, namely 30.7% from coal and 56%from petroleum products.

Battle for our childrenCOP26 is humanity's last ditch battle to save our

planet from a climate change catastrophe for ourchildren and future generations. Failure is not anoption. This existential battle cannot be left to politi-cians. The people of the world and in particular theyoung must mobilize and have their say. Thus,despite the Covid-19 constraints and travel visarestrictions, a mass mobilization of some two millionpeople spread across at least 20 countries willdemonstrate on 6 November to pressure worldleaders to urgently apply the recommendations ofthe IPCC report. The young of the country mustleave their comfort zone to add their voice to theclamour of the people demanding governments todo what it takes to protect humanity and save pla-net earth from an impending climate change disas-ter. Come what may, the battle to safeguard ourhomeland must necessarily be won.

Mrinal Roy

ll Cont. from page 5

The national scene

On the Covid-19 front the UShas done relatively well with vac-cine administration and penetra-tion, even being strategically pre-pared to administer booster shotsto most of the US population, atleast those who are not vaccineresisters. Meanwhile, Biden hasmade commitments to ship hun-dreds of millions of vaccinesaround the world. Whereas hegets high marks here, the pan-demic continues to plagueAmerica as well as the world.

The domestic policy agendais also a muddle. The President'sbasic infrastructure bill garneredbipartisan support but in a curiousmanoeuvre, Democrats seemedunable to come together on abroader spending proposal.Biden gives the appearance ofnegotiating against himself as hepleads for support from two recal-citrant Democrat Senators.

The national scene inAmerica is filled with rancour asTrump supporters continue todeny that Trump lost the election.The “Big Lie” is what the mediacall it. Trump's inner circle of advi-sors and supporters defy

Congressional subpoenas andRepublican members of Con-gress argue against enforcing thesubpoenas.

The State of Texas defiesSupreme Court precedent onabortion rights but a right-leaningcadre of Supreme Court justicescondones the Texas manoeuver.The impression is that Biden isnot in charge of anything.

The Federal Reserve conti-nues to deny that inflation is infla-tion, and the Treasury Secretarysupports this disinformation.

Climate change continues tobefuddle America and the Bidenadministration. In a state of confu-sion, the Biden administrationurges OPEC countries toincrease production while dam-ping down oil production at home.The Europeans too urge Putin toincrease gas supplies while cur-bing exploration of their own.

So, as we see the effects ofmajor weather events and as theworld prepares for the GlasgowConference, there is no cohesiveunderstanding of what is goingon, let alone a cohesive strategyamong the nations of the world.

Cheerz…Bwana

COP26: The last ditch battle to save the planet Nine Months of President Biden - Taking Stock

Selections

Unwind Mauritius Times Friday, October 29, 2021 13

At the end of the tax year, the TaxOffice sent an inspector to audit the

books of a synagogue. While he was checking the books he

turned to the Rabbi and said, 'I notice youbuy a lot of candles. What do you do withthe candle drippings?'

'Good question,' noted the Rabbi. 'Wesave them up and send them back to thecandle makers. Every now and then theysend us a free box of candles.'

'Oh,' replied the auditor, somewhatdisappointed that his unusual questionhad a practical answer.

But on he went, in his obnoxious way.'What about all these biscuit purchases?What do you do with the crumbs?'

'Ah, yes,' replied the Rabbi, realizingthat the inspector was trying to trap himwith an unanswerable question.

'We collect them and send them backto the biscuit makers. Every now and thenthey send a free box of holy biscuits.'

'I see!' replied the auditor, thinkinghard about how he could fluster the know-it-all Rabbi.

'Well, Rabbi,' he went on, 'What doyou do with all the leftover foreskins fromthe circumcisions you perform?'

'Here too, we do not waste,' answeredthe Rabbi. 'What we do is save up all theforeskins and send them to the Tax Office.About once a year they send us a com-

plete prick.'* * *

Russian Prime Minister Medvedevcomes to President Putin and nervous-ly tells him to abolish time zones.

"Why?" Putin asks"I fly to another city, call home and

everyone is asleep. I woke you up at 4ambut I thought it was only evening. - I callAngela Merkel to congratulate her on herbirthday and she tells me she had it yes-terday. - I wish the Chinese President aHappy New Year, and he says it will betomorrow."

"Indeed," Putin replies "but that's onlyminor stuff, remember when that Polishplane crashed with the president? I calledthem to express my condolences, but theplane hadn't taken off yet!!"

* * * A wife is complaining about her hus-band spending all his time at the localtavern, so one night he takes her alongwith him.

"What'll you have?" he asks."Oh, I don't know. The same as you, I

suppose," she replies.So, the husband orders a couple of

Jack Daniels and gulps his down in onego.

His wife watches him, then takes a sipfrom her glass and immediately spits itout.

"Yuck! It tastes awful, worse thanawful!" she splutters. "I don't know howyou can drink this stuff!"

"Well, there you go!" cries the hus-band. "And you think I am out enjoyingmyself every night!"

"What'll you have?" he asks.

* * *Perfect timing. You're just like

Frank.A man walks out to the street and

catches a taxi just going by. He gets intothe taxi, and the cabbie says, "Perfect timing. You're just like Frank."

Passenger: "Who?"Cabbie: "Frank Feldman. He's a guy

who did everything right all the time. Likemy coming along when you needed a cab,things happened like that to FrankFeldman every single time."

Passenger: "There are always a fewclouds over everybody."

Cabbie: "Not Frank Feldman. He wasa terrific athlete. He could have won theGrand-Slam at tennis. He could golf withthe pros. He sang like an opera baritoneand danced like a Broadway star and youshould have heard him play the piano. Hewas an amazing guy."

Passenger: "Sounds like he was reallysomething special."

Cabbie: "There's more. He had amemory like a computer. He rememberedeverybody's birthday. He knew all aboutwine, which foods to order and which forkto eat them with. He could fix anything.Not like me. I change a fuse, and the

whole street blacks out. But FrankFeldman could do everything right."Passenger: "Wow, what a guy!"

Cabbie: "He always knew the quickestway to go in traffic and avoid traffic jams.Not like me, I always seem to get stuck inthem. But Frank, he never made a mis-take, and he really knew how to treat awoman and make her feel good. He wouldnever answer her back even if she was inthe wrong; and his clothing was alwaysimmaculate, shoes highly polished too.He was the perfect man! He never madea mistake. No one could ever measure upto Frank Feldman."

Passenger: "How did you meet him?"Cabbie: "I never actually met Frank. Hedied and I married his wife."

* * * I'm about to go to a funeral for the

first time, and I still have no idea whatto expect.

Remains to be seen.* * *

Boss: This is the third time you'vebeen late for work this week. Do youknow what that means?Me: That it's only Wednesday

* * * I tell dad jokes all the time even

though I'm not actually a dadI'm a faux pa.

An auditor at thesynagogue

The Little Wave:

Alittle wave was bobbing along in the ocean and was having a grandold time. He was enjoying the wind and the fresh air as it travelled -

until he noticed that all the other waves in front of him were crashingagainst the shore. "Oh My God, this terrible", The little wave thought. "Lookwhat is happening to all the other waves and I will have to face the samefate!"

When the little wave was in the state of panic another wave cameacross and asked the little wave, "Why are you distressed my friend?"

The little wave said, "We are all going to crash against the shore andface our end! All of us waves are going to be nothing! Isn't it terrible?"

The second wave answered with a smile, "No, you don't understand.You're not just a wave, you are a part of the ocean."

Alltimeshortstories

Life's Lessons

Le principal C'est la légende d'une femme pauvre avec un

garçonnet dormant sur son dos. Passantdevant une caverne, elle entendit une voix mystérieuse qui venait de l'intérieur lui dire:

"Entre et prends tout ce que tu désires, maisn'oublie pas le principal. Souviens-toi d'unechose: dès que tu seras sortie, la porte se refermera à tout jamais. Cependant, profite del'opportunité, mais n'oublie pas le principal."

La femme entra dans la caverne et trouvabeaucoup de richesses. Fascinée par l'or et lesbijoux, elle dépose son enfant à terre et commence à amasser, anxieusement tout cequ'elle pouvait déposer dans son tablier.

La voix mystérieuse lui rappela: " Tu as seule-ment huit minutes ".

Les minutes épuisées, la femme chargée d'oret de pierres précieuses, courut hors de la caverne et la porte se referma. Elle se rappelaalors que le garçonnet était resté à l'intérieur et la

porte était fermée à tout jamais.

La richesse dure peu, et le désespoirtoujours.

La même chose parfois nous arrive.

Nous avons quelques 80 ans pour vivre en cemonde et toujours une voix nous rappelle "de nepas oublier le principal ".

Le principal, ce sont les valeurs spirituelles,la foi, la vigilance, la famille, les amis, la vie, lavérité, l'Amour, le don de soi.

Mais l'appât du gain, la cupidité, la richesse etles plaisirs matériels nous fascinent tellementque le principal reste toujours de côté.

Ainsi nous épuisons tout notre temps ici-bas ànous occuper des choses peu importantes ; etnous laissons de côté l'essentiel: les trésors del'âme.

Nous ne devons jamais oublier que la vie ence monde passe rapidement et que la mort arrivede façon inattendue.

Et lorsque la porte de cette vie se fermerapour nous, comme sur ce garçonnet, les lamen-tations ne serviront à rien.

Wellness Mauritius Times Friday, October 29, 2021 14

Relationships

Think twice before yougive advice Like so many great ideas, our solutions for others often becomeless perfect the more we learn about the problem

-- Leslie Becker-Phelps

If only we were as good at solving our own problems aswe are at solving other people's. But like so many great

ideas, our solutions for others often become less perfectthe more we learn about the problem. So, it is important tolisten more as others share, tempering the impulse to giveadvice.

Everyone's lives are complicated. So when people initially share their struggles with others, they shorten andsimplify the story. Of course, as the listener, you don'tknow what's been left out, "reorganized" to fit their preferred narrative, or what parts of the story the personsharing simply does not know. Maybe John really did blowup when Karen asked a simple question. But she mayhave left out that she knew the question poked at a sensi-tive subject for him, or she may not have known that hehad just gotten fired earlier that day and was a humanpressure cooker destined to explode. Clearly, being awareof more details or context may have a huge impact on

your reaction and your advice.As you may already know from personal experience,

no one can fully know a relationship as well as the peoplein it. And even then, each of those people may have dif-ferent perspectives and insights about it. For instance,Karen might have thought she was asking an innocentquestion about what John had been doing the previousnight. So she was surprised when John got angry anddefensive. However, for John, who was raised in a homewhere his mother was constantly upset about his father'sphilandering, he "knew" he was being accused of cheating. Given his past, he always promised himself that

he would remain faithful in relationships, and he wasespecially upset about her question.

While friends often ask each other for help with difficultsituations, the advice they offer can differ based on howmuch they know and their biases. If you didn't know aboutJohn's past, you might believe him and doubt Karen'saccusations. However, those who know John's past mightrealize that he's likely overreacting based on his childhoodexperiences and help him to at least question his reaction.Then again, some friends might have their own experi-ences and biases that affect the advice that they give --which they may, or may not, even realize.

Personal struggles can be tricky; and when you addthe dynamics of relationships, they can get downrightcomplicated. So there are inherent traps in trying to offeradvice to others. Yet if you are aware of this and humblyaccept your limitations, you can offer guidance in provi-ding advice. Remind yourself that you may be missing critical information or may not realize inherent biases(theirs or yours) that inform your opinions. Such cautioncan keep you from being too quick to judge and from making unintended suggestions. It can also make it easier for you to acknowledge and accept your own misperceptions and mistakes in judgment.

By remaining open to the possibility that you are mis-understanding a situation, you can offer advice humblyand with respect for the person you are trying to help. Yourfriend will likely feel accepted, supported, and respected,which will strengthen your relationship while also provi-ding possibly helpful advice.

Dr Becker-Phelps is a licensed psychologist in NJ andNY. She is the author of 'Bouncing Back from Rejection'

and 'Insecure in Love'

Healthy Living

Foods that raise yourblood pressure Think you're eating healthy by sippingtomato juice or heating up a can ofsoup? Think again -- those foods andothers can all spike your BP.

The shrimp fried rice at your favourite spot might beamazing, but it's likely full of sodium. Research sug-

gests most of the sodium in diets comes from restaurantand packaged foods. Look for low-sodium menu optionsor ask the chef to make your meal without salt. Try otherflavours instead, like lemon juice on fish and veggies.Most adults should eat no more than 2,300 milligrams ofsodium a day. That's one teaspoon.

Frozen meals: They're fast and convenient. Butthey're also loaded with sodium, so it's best to avoid them.If you need something quick every once in a while, look foroptions with 600 milligrams of sodium or less.

Salty snacks: Most chips, crackers, and popcorn arehigh in sodium. For instance, a 1-ounce serving of plainpotato chips has about 50-200 milligrams. Try low- or no-sodium nuts, seeds, chips, or pretzels when cravings hit.Or try fresh carrots or celery sticks for a satisfying crunch.

Pickled foods and their juices: Kimchi, sauerkraut,and other pickled or brined foods often pack plenty ofsodium. Three ounces of pickle juice has about 900 mil-ligrams, depending on the brand. Try to limit the amountof pickled foods you eat. And try marinades made fromvinegar, pineapple juice, or citrus fruits like lemons, limes,and oranges. They add a tart flavour with less sodium.

Bread: It doesn't taste salty, but it's got plenty of it.

One slice of white bread has between 80 and 230 mil-ligrams. The next time you make a sandwich, reach forwhole-grain bread, an English muffin, or a tortilla to cutback on sodium. You can also eat your sandwich "open-faced" with just one slice.

Soup: It's delicious on a cold day, but it's often high insodium. One cup (8 ounces) of tomato soup can haveanywhere from 700 to 1,260 milligrams. Buy low-sodiumversions of your favourites instead. Or make your own andflavour with herbs and spices.

Tomato juice and sauces: Three-quarters of a cup ofcanned tomato juice packs 660 milligrams of sodium.Look for low-sodium versions.

Processed meat: Lunch meat typically has about 750milligrams or more of sodium per serving. That's about sixthin slices. Other processed meats also high in sodiuminclude hot dogs, corned beef, bacon, and sausage. Addsalt pork, ham hocks, and spareribs to the list, too. Stickwith fish, chicken, and lean cuts of meat.

Pizza: Whether it's frozen or from your favourite delivery spot, it's likely high in sodium. A 4-ounce slice offrozen cheese pizza has 370 to 730 milligrams. And a 4-ounce slice from a restaurant has even more, at 510-760 milligrams. To cut back, order a smaller pizza andditch the stuffed crust. Opt for thin crust and veggies for

even more health benefits.Beer, wine, and alcohol: Your chances of high blood

pressure go up when you drink too much alcohol. Menshould stick with no more than two drinks a day. Womenshould keep it at one. One drink looks like 12 ounces ofbeer, 4 ounces of wine, 1½ ounces of 80-proof spirits, or1 ounce of 100-proof spirits. Red wine has been linked toheart health, but you should still limit the amount youdrink.

Cheese: Some types are more likely to raise yourblood pressure than others. Keep it down with cheesesthat are naturally low in sodium, like Swiss, which has 75milligrams per 1-ounce serving. Goat, ricotta, and freshmozzarella are good, too. Processed and hard cheesessuch as American and cottage cheese have more sodium.A half-cup of regular cottage cheese has 455 milligrams.

Condiments: Ketchup, soy sauce, and salad dressings are all high in sodium. Shop for low-sodiumsubstitutes. Or try lemon juice and vinegar for addedflavour.

Brunilda Nazario, MD, WebMD

Entertainment Mauritius Times Friday, October 29, 2021 15

BollyBytesWhen Katrina Kaif said she

would invite 'everyone in theworld' to her wedding...

Rumour has it that Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushalare planning a winter wedding. Although Katrina

had a cryptic response to the rumours, Vicky is yet toreact.

In an interview with Hindustan Times in 2015,Katrina was addressing rumours of her wedding at thetime and said that the day she decides to get married,she would tell the whole world.

"When you decide to get married, and are preparedto tell the world that 'we are making a commitment',you become comfortable with people talking about it. Iwant everyone in the world to attend my wedding," shehad said.

In the same interview, she added, "A private per-son [like me] doesn't like to talk about sensitive anddelicate topics like relationship and love. And if that(being silent) is misconceived as arrogance, then it'sthe ignorance of that person [who forms such a per-ception about me]."

Katrina has been rumoured to be dating Vickysince 2019. A few months ago, reports claimed thatVicky and Katrina are engaged. However, Katrina'steam had shot the claims down. Speaking to Zoom,Katrina's spokesperson said, "There has been noRoka ceremony. She is leaving for Tiger 3 shoot soon."

Vicky too downplayed the rumours. Speaking withradio host Siddharth Kannan, Vicky said, "To be honest, mere paas woh mental space hi nahi tha (I didn't have the mental space), because I was right inthe middle of a shoot… Funnily enough, what happensis, these rumours start at 9 o'clock in the morning bythe media and by 4.30, the media only negates thesame rumours and says 'no, it's not true'. So, you don'thave to do anything."

Rumours are doing the roundssuggesting that Ranbir Kapoor

and Alia Bhatt are preparing for aDecember wedding this year.Although the couple is yet to addressthese reports, Ranbir's uncle, actorRandhir Kapoor has said that hehasn't heard about a wedding,reports Hindustan Times.

Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatthave been dating for over threeyears now. Last year, Ranbir hadsaid that he would have married hisBrahmastra co-star had there beenno Covid-19 pandemic.

Speaking with Pinkvilla, Randhirsaid, "I don't know, and I haven'theard the news either. He will getmarried someday or the other, but Idon't have any news on this."

Even Alia's mother, actor SoniRazdan said that she is waiting forinformation about Alia and Ranbir'swedding. "Even I don't know whenit'll (the wedding) happen. Even I'mwaiting for some information," shetold BollywoodLife. When prodded,Soni added, "Well, there's a lot oftime left. It'll happen sometime in the

future, and that's a long way off.Now, when it'll happen, I don't know."

Last year, speaking with formerjournalist Rajeev Masand, Ranbirhad said that he wanted to 'seal' thedeal. "I don't want to jinx it by sayinganything. I want to tick mark thatgoal very soon in my life," he hadadded.

Alia and Ranbir have been busy

with their work commitments. WhileAlia has films such as Darlings,RRR, Gangubai Kathiawadi, andJee Le Zaraa in the making, Ranbirhas Animal and an untitled film withLuv Ranjan, starring ShraddhaKapoor. Alia and Ranbir also havetheir first film together, AyanMukerji's Brahmastra, waiting torelease.

Randhir Kapoor reacts to Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt's wedding rumours

Divya Dutta bags Best Actoraward for 'Sheer Qorma'

Divya Dutta is an exceptional actress, who can singlehandedly breathe life into her films. Her

nuanced performances have won her loyal fans from thecinephile circle and beyond.

She holds her characters by their nerves to deliverknockout performances one after the other. Her works infilms like 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag', 'Veer-Zaara' and'Badlapur' among many others are a longstanding testi-mony to this fact.

The actress was recently feted with the Best Actoraward for her short film 'Sheer Qorma' at DFW SouthAsian Film Festival in Dallas, US. The film has been

travelling to film festivals across the globe for quite sometime and has been winning accolades on the internatio-nal canvas.

Helmed by Faraz Ansari, 'Sheer Qorma' is one of thefew films that represents the LGBTQA+ community witha heartwarming story at its core. The film also starsShabana Azmi and Swara Bhasker.

While in the United States, the actress also launchedher book at another event. This is her second book afterthe much appreciated, 'Me and Ma'. Titled 'The Stars InMy Sky', the book documents her memorable experienceof working in the world's most prolific film industry; theHindi film industry. It also speaks about her interactionswith people, who have played a definitive role in her jour-ney so far and have contributed to her success as anactor.

Cinema Sirsa - Castel

SOORYAVANSHI (featuring Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Jackie

Shroff & Gulshan Grover)

Castel - Tel Nos - 6867356 / 6971613 /59119396 / 57069330

Friday 5 Nov - 13:15/20:15Saturday 6 & Sunday 7 Nov - 10:15/13:15/16:15/20:15Monday 8 to Friday 19 Nov - 10:15/13:15/20:15Saturday 13 & Sunday 14 Nov - 10:15/13:15/16:15/20:15

Entertainment Mauritius Times Friday, October 29, 2021 16

Sagittarius: Nov 22 - Dec 21 Refrain from long business or pleasure trips. Success in your work

and in society, but remain very modest. You'll be happy in love and willhave the wild desire to depose the whole world at the feet of the belovedone; this will be reciprocal.

Lucky Numbers: 5, 6, 11, 13, 14, 19Capricorn: Dec 22 - Jan 19

You'll be more enterprising than ever; however, you'll know how to bediplomatic. Don't continue any longer to live above your means. Your lifeas a couple will be agitated, but these strong emotions won't displeaseyou at all.

Lucky Numbers: 3, 4, 13, 16, 25, 33Aquarius: Jan 20 - Feb 18

You'll devote more of your time to your family and will make the happiness of your dear ones. Refrain from ruinous buyings and postpone decisions of investments. Love may fall on you like a powerfulavalanche.

Lucky Numbers: 7, 19, 22, 24, 26, 31Pisces: Feb 19 - Mar 20

The family ambience will be heavy by moments and your love lifemay begin to go through a morose phase. But you'll know beautiful successes in your work. Don't get worried about the machinations of anunscrupulous neighbour: he/she will back down!

Lucky Numbers: 25, 26, 31, 32, 33, 40Aries: Mar 21 - Apr 19

If your parents are aged, tensions may arise between you and them;show understanding. It will be folly on the love front: you'll knowmoments of intense passion but with the risk of your being moredemanding than usual.

Lucky Numbers: 8, 14, 16, 21, 22, 25Taurus: Apr 20 - May 20

At work, you'll adopt a very positive state of mind and will quicklysolve any problem which occurs. In love, follow your intuition which willbe very sure. Your material situation should be on the upswing; you'llhave luck with money.

Lucky Numbers: 7, 9, 14, 21, 22, 39Gemini: May 21 - June 20

Your great professional projects will begin to take form, but a sentimental problem will worry you, preventing you from being well atease. There's nothing really serious, however, and you can easily control the situation and recover your serenity.

Lucky Numbers: 9, 17, 20, 25, 26, 31Cancer: June 21 - July 22

Don't be too demanding toward your close ones. It would be a pitynot to seek to exploit all the resources that are within you. Luck withmoney will smile to you; and if you've had an unhappy experience, abankruptcy for instance, you'll get out of it more daring and stronger thanbefore.

Lucky Numbers: 1, 7, 11, 18, 20, 33Leo: July 23 - Aug 22

You'll lack realism and objectivity, which may cause you disappoint-ments. Try to make some savings so as to be able to cope with unexpected events. Good surprises don't happen only to others: they'llhappen to you in the sentimental field.

Lucky Numbers: 3, 19, 20, 28, 30, 36Virgo: Aug 23 - Sept 22

At work, opportunities will be more rare and you'll have to redoubleefforts in order to obtain correct results. Some small annoyances are tobe foreseen, especially in everyday life: nothing will go as fast as youwish!

Lucky Numbers: 8, 9, 17, 20, 23, 26Libra: Sept 23 - Oct 22

Success will be present in your professional life and also in yourlove affairs. If you do sport or gardening, don't force yourself. A smallchance in gambling is probable. Disturbances in your home but recognize that you're responsible for the situation.

Lucky Numbers: 6, 12, 18, 19, 30, 31Scorpion: 23 Oct - 21 Nov

It will please you to flirt around, but don't count too much on the indulgence of your mate. In your work, your efforts won't be vain andpeople of good counsel will come to help you. There'll be reason to feara conflict or a contentious affair.

Lucky Numbers: 13, 14, 20, 23, 30, 36

YOUR STARS

Safeguarding ourselves against Covid-19 is ofimportance, and Archana Puran Singh knows

this well. When shoots first resumed after the firstwave, the actor, who is a constant on The KapilSharma Show, wouldn't even allow anyone tocome near her, she recalls.

"My protocol was so strong, that my produ-cers used to say, 'Ma'am, everybody should dothis but nobody does it, you are so strict'. Anyguests who would come on the show, I wouldn'tmeet them, there was a special barricade put forme. I used to not take a chance, and some ofthem would get upset, 'What is this? She is noteven coming to hug me'. But now I havechanged. I have got both my vaccines, so I ammuch more at ease," says the 59-year-old.

Singh took things up a notch when it came totaking care earlier, reports Hindustan Times.Throughout the first wave, she used to drive herown car and no driver was allowed. "He (driver)would go to the set in another car, and get myvanity can sanitised. Then he would send me avideo, only then I would enter the van. 20 minutes before I reached the van, they wouldopen it so that the chemicals would get out.Nobody was allowed to physically step in," shetells us. Naturally hence, she would get ready onher own too.

She goes to say, "I used to do my own hairand makeup, I was my own driver, hairstylist,makeup person, spot boy, would make my owntea, wash my plates. I would also get my dresssteam ironed from home and take it with me, sono dress man was allowed to come."

After double vaccination, Singh is worry-free,and open to meeting people again.

TellyBytesArchana Puran Singh: 'I was my own driver,

hair-makeup person, spotboy'

Supriya Shukla, who played the role of SarlaArora for eight years in Kumkum Bhagya and

later in Kundali Bhagya, has decided to take abreak. The actress will no longer be a part ofKundali Bhagya.

When we spoke to Supriya, she said, "Sarlawas an interesting role when I was offeredKumkum Bhagya, eight years ago. I enjoyedplaying mother to Sriti Jha and Mrunal Thakurand the character had many layers. But afterplaying it for many years, I realised I didn't havemuch to contribute to the show. Luckily, the makers introduced Sarla's character in KundaliBhagya and again I was playing mother to twodaughters, but this time the story was equallyinteresting and I played the character for anotherfour years. Later I was also cast in Molkki. So, inthe past few years, and more recently due to thepandemic, I haven't stepped out with my familyand now I want to do other things. Shooting fortwo shows - Kundali Bhagya and Molkki- at thesame time was not giving me space to spendquality time with my family. Therefore, I decidedto give Sarla a break."

Talking about her character Sarla and howshe portrayed it, Supriya said, "I never use glycerine in my scenes and many times I had tocry and even after the scene was over, I used tokeep crying. Emotionally, Sarla's character wasquite draining and I have put in a lot over theyears. But I also feel that every character should

have scope to contribute to the show. Maybe, infuture, I might plan to come back on the show."

Meanwhile Supriya is happy with her role inMolkki. "It is a negative role. And not too oftendoes an actress, playing mother's roles, get achance to essay a character like Prakashi Devi."

Supriya, who has so far done many TV showsand Bollywood films like 3 Idiots and Parineeta,feels that she has been blessed to have got goodwork over the years. She said, "Whether it isworking for Ekta Kapoor's production house, orother TV shows, or Bollywood films, I think I amblessed to have got good roles. Makers havealways understood my duties as a wife andmother, too. I feel blessed that I have got achance to take this break and focus my energiesat home."

I played Sarla for 8 years in ‘Kumkum Bhagya’and 4 years in ‘Kundali Bhagya’, needed to give

it a break: Supriya Shukla

What's On Mauritius Times Friday, October 29, 2021 17

07.00 Local: Les Grandes Lignes09.00 Doc: Love Around The World11.10 Tele: Sinu, Rio Des Pasiones12.00 Le Journal12.30 Tele: Le Prix Du Désir12.55 Local: Prod: Elle - No 3813.50 Serial: Heidi, Bienvenida A...14.40 D.Anime: Invention Story14.53 D.Anime: Oum Le Dauphin...15.16 D.Anime: Spongo, Fuzz And..15.27 D.Anime: Les Triples16.02 D.Anime: Astrolology17.15 Mag: Human Nature17.45 Mag: Le Saviez-Vous?18.00 Live: Samachar18.30 Serial: Siya Ke Ram19.30 Journal & La Meteo20.30 Local Prod: Come On Let’s...21.25 Serial: 19-223.00 Le Journal23.35 Mag: Eye On SADC

03.43 Film: Mississippi River Shark05.04 Tele: Muneca Brava05.43 Serial: Reef Doctors06.48 Film: Love Over Distance08.22 Mag: Cinemag09.00 Serial: When Calls The Heart09.45 Tele: Teresa10.37 Tele: I Forgot I Loved You11.00 Serial: Killjoys12.00 Film: Mississippi River Shark13.33 Tele: Muneca Brava14.45 Film: Love Over Distance16.45 Serial: When Calls The Heart17.28 Serial: Reef Doctors18.10 Tele: Teresa19.00 Tele: I Forgot I Loved You19.34 Mag: Cinemag20.05 Tele: Les Trois Visages D’ana20.30 Serial: Powers21.15 Film: JonathanAvec Ansel Elgort, Patricia Clarkson

07.00 Film: U R My JaanMikaal, Preeti, Himani Shivpuri, Anil Dhawan.

11.28 / 20.30 - Radha Krishna12.07 / 21.00 - Chupke Chupke12.37 / 21.30 - Mere Sai13.16 / 22.00 - Agniphera13.46 / 22.30 - Yeh Teri Galiyan14.17 / 23.00 -

Bade Acche Lagte Hai14.44 / 21.46 - Chhanchhan15.14 / 22.20 - Sethji15.25 Film: Utt Pataang

Vinay Pathak, Mahie Gill, Saurabh Shukla, Mona Singh, Sanjay Mishra

18.00 Live: Samacher18.30 Kundali Bhagya19.00 Ishaaron Ishaaron Mein19.31 Serial: Bhakharwadi20.00 Serial: Siddhi Vinayak

01.28 Film: Jonathan03.09 Serial: Unforgotten03.54 Serial: The Magicians04.36 Serial: Falling Water05.19 Tele: Tanto Amor06.44 Serial: S.W.A.T08.30 Serial: Reckoning09.14 Serial: The Magicians09.56 Serial: Falling Water10.40 Film: Jonathan12.21 Serial: Unforgotten13.32 Serial: Heroes Reborn15.05 Tele: Muneca Brava16.29 Mag: Cinemag17.00 Serial: Imposters17.45 Film: Chair De Poule 220.05 Tele: Les Trois Visages D’ana20.30 Series: Powers21.15 Film: Let’s Dance

Starring: Ladislas Chollat, Joris Morio

22.56 Tele: Le Prix Du Désir

01.22 Film: Let’s Dance03.03 Serial: Midnight, Texas03.44 Film: Norman: The Moderate..05.37 Tele: Tanto Amor06.22 Serial: Imposters07.02 Serial: Island Doctor08.33 Serial: Reckoning09.12 Film: Let’s Dance10.59 Film: Chair De Poule 212.25 Serial: Midnight, Texas13.30 Serial: Killjoys15.33 Tele: Muneca Brava17.01 Serial: Imposters17.38 Serial: Midnight, Texas18.19 Film: Let’s Dance20.05 Tele: Les Trois Visages D’ana20.30 Serilal: Pure Genius21.15 Film: Tracktown22.43 Tele: Le Prix Du Désir

06.00 D.Anime: Robot Trains06.27 D.Anime: The Hive07.00 D.Anime: Sissi07.15 D.Anime: Kung Fu Panda07.37 D.Anime: Astrolology08.45 D.Anime: Tom-Tom Et Nana08.52 D.Anime: Splash And Bubble09.35 Serial: Oh Yuck10.00 Local: Zanfan Nou Zil12.00 Le Journal12.35 Tele: Teresa15.18 D.Anime: Oum Le Dauphin...15.15 D.Anime: Astrolology15.45 Film: Halloween Island17.10 Serial: Hi Opie!18.00 Live: Samachar18.30 Entertainment: Dance19.30 Journal & La Meteo20.10 Local: Autour Des Valeurs21.20 Film: Norman: The Moderate

Rise And Tragic Fall Of ...Avec: Richard Gere, Lior Ashkenazi

MBC 1 MBC 2 MBC 2 MBC 3 MBC 3 07.00 DDI Live08.00 Educa Prog: Grade 310.15 Educa Prog: Grade 412.30 Film: Sharato Lagu

Starring Malhar Thakar, DeekshaJoshi, Prashant Barot

15.05 Serial: Zindagi Ki Mehek15.26 Serial: Aamhi Doghi 15.46 Serial: Bava Maradallu16.07 Serial: Apoorva Raagangal16.31 Serial: Mera Maan Rakhna16.51 Serial: Imtihaan17.05 Kullfi Kumarr Bajewala17.25 Serial: Chhanchhan18.00 Serial: My Little Princes18.30 Local: Abhay Charan19.05 Zournal Kreol19.30 Serial: Radha Krishna20.02 Serial: Aas20.46 Local: Anjuman21.09 Local: Urdu Programe

07.00 Film: Tell Me O Kkhudda09.08 Mag: DDI Magazine10.00 Bade Acche Lagte Hai11.35 Serial: Bloody Romance12.00 Serial: Nanda Saukhya Bhare12.27 Serial: Mooga Manasulu12.44 Serial: High School13.11 Annakodiyum Ainthu

Pengalum15.00 Serial: Zindagi Ki Mehek15.25 Film: Bumm Bumm Bole

Starring: Darsheel Safary, Atul Kulkarni, Rituparna Sengupta...

17.29 DDI Magazine19.00 Live: Zournal Kreol19.30 Serial: Radha Krishna20.06 Serial: Vikram Betaal Ki

Rahasya Gatha20.28 Serial: Bitti Business Wali21.01 Film: The Boby

Stars: Rishi Kapoor, Emraan Hashmi

06.00 Doc: Legendary Hotels06.42 Mag: Arts And Culture06.55 Mag: Our Voices07.50 Doc: Volcano Stories09.08 Doc: Serguei Chtchoukine...10.00 Doc: Iran Short Of Water10.52 Doc: Legendary Hotels11.42 Mag: Our Voices12.11 Doc: Volcano Stories13.29 Student Support Prog...16.00 Live From Ollier Arya Mandir18.15 Mag: Science Ou Fiction18.41 Doc: Zenith19.06 Mag: Check In20.30 Local: News (English)20.40 Doc: Beatbox22.30 Doc: Tarzan, Aux Sources...23.22 Doc: Amazing Gardens23.45 Mag: Science Ou Fiction00.11 Doc: Zenith00.37 Mag: Check In01.03 Doc: Le Monde Des Couleur

06.00 Mag: Eco India06.26 Mag: Shift06.38 Mag: Border Crossing07.04 Mag: Tomorrow Today07.33 Mag: Science Ou Fiction09.00 Educa Prog: Grade 511.30 Educa Prog: Grade 814.03 Doc: 360 GEO14.55 Doc: Raymond Loewy...15.47 Doc: Antoine De Saint-

Exupery17.30 Student Support Prog...18.00 Live From Sanatan Vatika...20.05 Doc: Volcano Stories20.30 Local: News (English)20.40 Doc: Le Rwanda Aux

Femmes21.34 Doc: Serguei Chtchoukine..22.25 Doc: Iran Short Of Water23.20 Doc: Legendary Hotels00.02 Mag: Arts And Culture

06.00 D.Anime: Robot Trains06.27 D.Anime: The Hive06.37 D.Anime: P’tit Cosmonaute07.00 D.Anime: Sissi09.30 Serial: Oh Yuck10.30 Local: Zanfan Nou Zil11.00 Local: Nu Rasinn12.00 Le Journal12.40 Tele: Teresa14.10 Local: Elle15.05 D.Anime: Invention Story15.18 D.Anime: Oum Le Dauphin...15.58 D.Anime: Astrolology17.17 Serial: Hi Opie!18.00 Live: Samachar18.30 Local: Yeh Shaam Mastani19.30 Le Journal20.25 Local: Groov’in21.20 Film: Phantom Thread

Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Vicky Krieps, Lesley Manville

07.00 Film: Kanoon Ki Awaaz10.00 Local Prod: Excerpts Of

Deepa Luxmi Pooja11.00 Serial: Oru Kai Osai11.22 Serial: Santoshi Maa12.00 Film: Khiladi 786

Stars: Akshay Kumar, Asin, Mithun Chakraborty

14.13 DDI Magazine15.00 Serial: Zindagi Ki Mehek15.22 Serial: Mooga Manasulu15.45 Serial: He Mann Baware16.12 Apoorva Raagangal17.05 Serial: Siya Ke Ram18.00 DDI Magazine18.30 Local: Tipa Tipa Nu Avance19.00 Live: Zournal Kreol20.05 Serial: Mann Mein Vishwas..20.48 Serial: CID21.30 Serial: Naagin Season 222.17 Jai Kanhaiya Lal Ki

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06.00 Mag: Amazing Gardens06.51 Doc: Zenith07.16 Mag: Check In07.46 Doc: Le Monde Des Couleur08.39 Doc: Beatbox10.26 Doc: Tarzan, Aux Sources...11.47 Mag: Science Ou Fiction12.13 Doc: Zenith12.39 Mag: Check In14.01 Doc: Beatbox14.59 Doc: Gutenberg18.02 Mag: Magnifique18.30 Doc: Amazing Gardens19.02 Doc: Garden Party19.33 Doc: Comme Une Envie...20.30 Local Prod: News (English)20.45 Mag: Nouveau Look Pour...22.01 Doc: Mr. Brown22.46 Doc: Farah Diba Pahlavi...23.35 Mag: Magnifique23.58 Doc: Amazing Gardens

04.05 Radha Krishna04.36 Chupke Chupke04.48 Mere Sai -- Shraddha Aur...05.45 Agniphera06.15 Yeh Teri Galiyan06.44 Bade Acche Lagte Hai06.38 Chhanchhan06.57 Ishaaron Ishaaron Mein07.18 Siddhi Vinayak08.02 Zindagi Ki Mehek10.12 Motu Patlu10.43 Siddhi Vinayak12.01 Serial: Bhakharwadi14.19 Chupke Chupke16.00 Pavitra Rishta18.00 Samachar18.30 Film: One Two Three

Star: Neetu Chandra, Esha Deoland Vrajesh HirjeeVV

20.43 Serial: Namah21.01 Serial: Naagin Season 3

01.00 Serial: Siddhi Vinayak02.38 Bhakharwadi04.28 Chupke Chupke06.14 Pavitra Rishta08.00 Motu Patlu08.11 Ikyawan10.00 Jaana Na Dil Se Door12.00 Piya Albela14.00 Agniphera16.29 Punar Vivaah18.00 Live: Samachar18.30 Film: Goliyon Ki Raasleela

RamStarring: Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone

20.58 Entertainment: Dance21.43 Bade Acche Lagte Hai23.31 Serial: Piya Albela

Vendredi 29 octobre - 21.15

Samedi 30 octobre - 21.20

Dimanche 31 octobre- 18.30

Stars: Ranveer Singh, Deepika PadukoneStars: Rishi Kapoor, Emraan Hashmi

Samedi 23 octobre- 21.00

Dimanche 31 octobre - 21.15

MBC 2MBC 2

Other Voices Mauritius Times Friday, October 29, 2021 18

Squid Game, Netflix's latest runaway success has setnew records for views and generated a flurry of

comment pieces, memes and moral panic about screenviolence.

The programme follows 456 competitors through aseries of lethal contests. At stake is a cash prize of billionsof won, suspended over the contestants' dormitory in agiant perspex piggy bank. The people playing the gamesare destitute and laden with debt. Some are suffering fromgambling addictions, others are caught up in gang violence and some face the threat of deportation. Thisdesperation drives them to risk their lives to win the fortune dangling over their heads.

Squid Game no doubt functions as a satire of materialinequality in South Korea. The problem has reached apoint where relatively radical policies are being considered by candidates for the country's 2022 presi-dential election, including universal basic income and acomprehensive overhaul of the legal system.

But though Squid Game's social critique most obviously aims at extreme inequality, its satire is mosteffective when it targets a principle that has served to sup-port, justify, and perpetuate such inequality. Squid Gameis perhaps at its best when viewed as a critique of meri-tocracy.

Meritocracy's promiseMeritocracy is having something of a moment as a

subject of debate. A significant number of recent criticalstudies by sociologists, economists, and philosophershave focused on the role meritocracy plays in legitimisingthe levels of inequality we face today.

We have been sold the idea that a meritocratic socie-ty would be a place where our material wellbeing is deter-mined not by class, race or gender, but by a combinationof our ability and effort. Meritocrats believe in fair socialcompetition, a level playing field, and rewards for thosetalented and industrious enough to rise up the social ladder.

But in a competitive society, not everyone can win. Thedark side of meritocracy is that it justifies inequality on thegrounds that the better-off have earned their position, withthe implication that the worse off also deserve their lot.And when people are convinced that their society isindeed meritocratic, political resistance to inequality ismuch more difficult to establish.

Political promises of meritocracy peaked in the 1980sand 1990s, and have diminished since the 2008 financialcrisis, along with the economic optimism that helped tomake meritocracy plausible. Meritocracy nonethelesscontinues to haunt contemporary politics. Just last year,for example, Kamala Harris's vice-presidential campaignincluded the assurance that everyone can "be on equal

footing and compete on equal footing". And some dataindicates that a growing proportion of the public continuesto believe that they live in a meritocracy.

The problem with past promises of meritocracy is thatthey have turned out to be either false, because we neverreally get meritocracy, or empty, because meritocracydoesn't really give us what we hope for. Squid Gameexposes both sides of this unhappy either/or.

The unfairness of false meritocracyAt the heart of Squid Game's competition is a moral

code that, according to the shadowy figure running thegame, offers the contestants an opportunity unavailableoutside of the game. In his (translated) words: "Thesepeople suffered from inequality and discrimination out inthe world, and we offer them one last chance to fight onequal footing and win".

Unsurprisingly, the reality of Squid Game's competitionfalls short of its meritocratic ideal. The hope of a levelplaying field is undermined by the same social factors thatcorrupt competitive society outside of the game. Factionsform; women are shunned; elderly players are aban-doned.

The game's only player from outside of Korea, AliAbdul, is patronised, betrayed, and exploited. In the firstgame, he literally holds up Seong Gi-hun, the pro-gramme's protagonist, in a stunning visual metaphor forthe dependence of prosperity in developed countries oncheap foreign labour.

Not everyone has a fair chance of winning.The violence of true meritocracy

But is the injustice in Squid Game really that the com-petition is unfair? Would the horror disappear if the com-petitors really were "on equal footing"?

Squid Game could be perfectly meritocratic and at thesame time perfectly perverse. This is a winner-takes-all

competition, where only a tiny fraction of players will riseto fortune, and where negligible differences in perfor-mance can make the difference between success and failure, and with it the difference between life and death.

Compare this with the polarised labour markets ofcountries like the US, where middle-income jobs havebeen replaced by a small number of high-earning roles forwinners, and increasingly poorly-paid jobs for those leftbehind. In reality, even societies that have embraced genuine meritocracy such as the US have nonethelessgenerated few opportunities to win, while losing leavestens of millions in poverty.

Squid Game is also a competition in which society'spoorest are forced into playing. Though the rules of thegame allow players to opt-out at any time - they evenallow for a democratic vote about whether to continue -the misery that awaits them outside of the game makesthis no real choice at all.

Winner takes all, losers die, and participants have nochoice but to play. Squid Game's radical meritocracy is acaricatured version of the inequalities that have emergedin competitive society. But it also reflects, in only an exaggerated form, the dangers of both the false and thetrue meritocracies that currently trap millions.

Why Squid Game is actually a critique of meritocracy Just like in real life, the idea that everyone in the game has a fair shot is quickly exposed as a fallacy

Matt BennettSenior Research Officer in

Philosophy, University of EssexAli Abdul holds up Seong Gi-hun during the game of red light, green light. Netflix

ALLIANCE FOR CHILDRENThe Annual General Meeting of Alliance for Childrenwill be held on Saturday 20 November 2021 at 11:00hrs at 9, Britannia Park Vacoas.AGENDA:

1. Reading and Approval of Last Minutes of Proceedings2. President Report3. Treasurer Report4. Approval of Audited Annual Accounts 20205. Approval of Budget Estimate and Expenditure

2021/20226. Approval of Future Projects/Investment7. AOB

Secretary

CHILDREN FOUNDATIONThe Annual General Meeting of ChildrenFoundation will be held on Saturday 20 November2021 at 10:00 hrs at 9, Britannia Park Vacoas.AGENDA:

1. Reading and Approval of Last Minutes of Proceedings 2. President Report3. Treasurer Report 4. Approval of Audited Annual Accounts 2020 5. Approval of Budget Estimate and Expenditure

2021/2022 6. Approval of Future Projects/Investment 7. AOB

Secretary

MAURITIUS WOMEN COOPERATIVE CREDIT UNION

(Reg no.1625). You are cordially invited to attend the Annual GeneralMeeting of the Mauritius Women Cooperative CreditUnion on Saturday 13 November at 11 00hrs at theShivala Hall, Sebastopol.AGENDA:

(1) Reading and approval of minutes of proceedings of last Annual General Meeting

(2) Matters Arising(3) To consider:(a) The internal controller's report,(b) The audit report(4) Appointment of auditor (5) Appointment of Internal controller (6) Approval of the estimates of income and expenditure

of the society.(7) Election of board of directors.(8) Approval of amendments to rules of the society(9) To elect delegates of the society.

TreasurerAmla Devi Sewsurn