L`INDIFFéRENCE DU MAURICIEN VIS-à-VIS LES

Transcription

INSIGHT
FEBRUARY 2011 / 24 PAGES / BILINGUAL / N o 18 / FREE
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“World class education in Mauritius – prologue or epilogue?”
Restricting the growth
of cities will improve
quality of life
Just over half the world’s population now call cities home. Soon some 500 cities around the world
will have more than 1m people each. Within a
couple of decades, says the UN, 5 billion people
will live in cities, with the most rapid rise in the
number of urban dwellers coming in Asia and
Africa. Urbanisation typically comes, in the long
term, with great gains to human development: it
helps to create wealth, spur innovation, encourage freedom and improve the education of those
who make it to town.
EDITORIAL / PG 3
2012 : The End
of the World?
L’indifférence du
mauricien vis-à-vis
les dérapages ?
PAGE 20-21
sports
• University of Mauritius - Sports
in our curriculum
• How to train - fitness for everyone
• Matthias Sindelar - The wunderteam’s paper man
• Transferts : Le gros coup Torres,
les petits coups au Real
• Fifa/Coca-Cola World Ranking Japan shoot 17th as Asians Soar
the team
RÉDACTEUR EN CHEF Krishna Athal
SECRÉTAIRIAT Diksha Neerbun
ACTUALITÉ GÉNÉRALE Aldo Amic
SOCIETÉ Ryan Appadoo
SANTÉ Manish Rughoo
SPORTS Yudish Kutwaroo
CINÉMA/SCI-TECH Nilesh Changia
GRAPHISTE Yaj Gungaram
PHOTOGRAPHIE Avish Ramgolam
CARICATURE Kate Ah Tsang Shee
PROMOTION Ravish Neerunjun
IMPRIMEUR Le Defi Plus Ltée
Insight Media Group Ltd,
8 D’Artois Street, Port Louis, Mauritius
Tel (Off) : (230) 211 7771 Mob : 708 6868
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-------------------------------------------------------Les points de vue des collaborateurs ne peuvent, en
aucune manière, être considérés comme une prise de
position de la rédaction de INSIGHT.
Est-ce possible d’imaginer les mauriciens descendre dans la rue pour protester?
Envisager un tel cas de figure à Maurice semble quasi-impossible. Mais pourquoi? Le mauricien est-il indifférent ou feint-t-il l’indifférence et s’il feint
l’indifférence, quelle en est la raison?
Municipalitos
Commerçants
56th Filmfare
Awards 2011
Happy Valentine’s
Day 2011
Depuis peu (depuis toujours aussi
d’ailleurs), le gouvernement met
tout en oeuvre pour nettoyer nos
rues, ruelles et autres lieu de passage des marchands dits ambulants.
Et pourtant, force est d’admettre
que les marchandises continuent de
déambuler sur les trottoirs.
Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol won the
best actor and actress award respectively for “My Name Is Khan” at the
56th Filmfare Awards 2011, which
was ruled by small budget movie
“Udaan” that bagged as many as eight
trophies. Karan Johar walked away
with the best director award.
There are varying opinions as to the
origin of Valentine’s Day. Some experts state that it originated from
St. Valentine, a Roman who was
martyred for refusing to give up
Christianity. He died on February
14, 269 A.D., the same day that had
been devoted to love lotteries.
PAGE 6
PAGE 13
PAGE 23
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Insight //
02
Editorial
Issue 18 // February 2011
Krishna Athal
Editor in chief
[email protected]
2012: The end of the world?
The year 2000 came and left. If we flash back for a minute, we’ll recall that in the lead-up to 2000, chaos was predicted
to envelop our computerized and electrified civilization. It was called Y2K: a simple flaw in computer software design was
supposed to bring about the end of the civilized world. Power stations, telecommunications, bank accounts, billing processes
were all supposed to grind to a halt or be thrown into a state of chaos.
But it never happened! Instead,
the end of 1999 and the beginning of 2000 is best remembered
for the stupendous displays of
fireworks in principal cities of
the world, many of them televised and shared with viewers in all nations. The spectre of
doomsday was a phantom.
A decade later, where are we?
Wars are being fought in Iraq and
Afghanistan using sophisticated
computerized weaponry. A languishing global economy is desperately trying to revive itself.
The Internet is an indispensable
part of life for the majority in
the Western world and even for
a considerable number of individuals in the developing world.
And we are being told about another approaching doomsday.
end-of-the-world prediction as
a misinterpretation of the data:
they say that it doesn’t speak of
an end per se but of a new beginning. (Refer to “Mayan Mayhem: Is
2012 the End of theWorld?”)
Nostradamus
Still, the Mayan calendar is not
the only source of current apocalyptic angst. The words of Nostradamus also figure heavily into
the latest prognostications. In
fact, an Internet search on “Nostradamus 2012” yields nearly 1.5
million hits. Nostradamus wrote
on religious themes; indeed,
the 2012 theme has become a
phenomenon for the New Age
movement and thus a religious
event.
But the 16th-century seer’s writings, recorded in quatrains, or
poetry in four-line format, are
If we are to believe the lat- flexible enough to support any of
est hype, December 21 or 23, several apocalyptic scenarios that
2012, is when the world will re- are being put forward today. One
ally come to a climactic end. This website that provides resources
time the fear has been sparked and background material for
by an interpretation of the an- those interested in 2012 offers
cient Mayan calendar, furthered this evaluation of Nostradamus:
by numerous books and docu- “He is best known for his book Les
mentaries. And it has spawned, Propheties… Many of his prophecies
perhaps predictably, yet another dealt with disaster such as plagues,
Hollywood disaster movie.
earthquakes, wars, floods and the
coming of three antichrists. However
The supposed cataclysm of 2012 his predictions are vague and people
may appear to be corroborated tend to apply his words to many situby some sources, ranging from ations.”
economics to science. That’s
not to say that 2012 is necessar- It’s an appropriate comment.
ily central to their concerns; in People have often used Nostradasome cases, it’s just a convenient mus to bolster their own predicpeg on which to hang their hat as tions, though so far his mystical
they rally support for other pet verses have proved most accurate
theories.
when superimposed onto past
events.
But does the Mayan calendar reDoomsday’s pull
ally speak of an end of the world,
or is it just the end of one calendar cycle – a recurring event So why are so many drawn in, or
according to Mayan reckoning? at least intrigued, by apocalyptic
Those who have studied the hype every time a new theory
calendar and the culture that emerges? Average people of all
developed it dismiss the entire descriptions tend to be at least
Mayan calendar
somewhat interested in speculating about future events and the
possible demise of civilization as
we know it. Banking on this inclination, Slate magazine (August 7,
2009) offered a chance to “choose
your own apocalypse.” Offering 144
scenarios, they asked readers to
weigh in on how “the greatest of
the world’s great powers,” America,
would most likely fall.
Moving farther afield, we find
that Buddhism has its own variety of eschatology, whereby a
person escapes the restraints of
the physical to attain an ultimate
state of Nirvana.
In the 21st century, we find all
these ideas melding together.
It is as though something in the
human genome makes us understand that all is not right with the
And let’s be realistic: not all end- human condition; we witness,
time scenarios are completely incessantly and with glaring defar-fetched. For example, one of tail from even remote parts of
the phenomena that have been the earth, the suffering and death
linked to 2012 is a polar shift, and that are so much a part of life.
astronomers say that this could We just know that some change
certainly occur in the foresee- needs to take place for humanity
able future. But with our current to accomplish its rightful place in
knowledge, such an event can’t the universe.
be linked to any specific date;
nor, more importantly, does it Bill Arnold of Asbury Theologiportend disaster. With regard to cal Seminary, writing in the Oxthe economy, calamity could oc- ford Handbook of Eschatology,
cur at any time, before or after addresses this unhappiness from
December 2012, if a rash action the perspective of the Old Testaby the government of some ma- ment prophets: “Such a conviction
jor power triggers a collapse of that the intrinsic depravity of the
the global financial system. But present world will someday be overwe can only speculate about the turned results in an eschatological
ethic, calling upon God’s people to
timing or even the results.
live faithfully to the covenant and
In a way, the 2012 hype is only the righteousness enjoined by the
the very tip of an iceberg, in prophets.”
that interest in “the end” is not a
new phenomenon. For Western James Cameron’s Avatar
civilization, the roots lie deep in
Judeo-Christian aspects of escha- But people in the 21st-century
tology – the study of “the end” or developed world are surely not
“the last.” For millennia, writers driven by such mystical ideals as
and sages have foretold the end are contained in the writings of
of the world, and the Bible con- the prophets – are they? As untains some of the oldest and best likely as it may seem, such appears to be the case. In fact, James
known of these accounts.
Cameron’s latest blockbuster
Judeo-Christian culture movie, Avatar, appeals to some
of these Western sensibilities. It
But such a study is not the ex- speaks to the fact that humanity
clusive preserve of the Judeo- is not satisfied with its role withChristian culture. The ancient in the cosmos and the handling
Greeks also discussed the end of its responsibilities. Analyzing
of the world, though for them Cameron’s movie in a December
it was in the domain of philoso- 21, 2009, New York Times op-ed
phy, whereas in Judaism, Chris- column, Ross Douthat observed:
tianity and Islam it was always a “Religion exists, in part, precisely bereligious and theological matter. cause humans aren’t at home amid
these cruel rhythms [of suffering and
death as a part of nature].We stand
half inside the natural world and
half outside it.We’re beasts with selfconsciousness, predators with ethics,
mortal creatures who yearn for immortality.”
Perhaps another way to put it is
that humanity stands above the
rest of creation and recognizes
that it is to some degree responsible for it, a role with which
even the earliest biblical record
of human life agree. It reinforces a concept broached by David
Novak, a rabbi and professor in
philosophy at the University of
Toronto. Speaking of Jewish eschatology, he suggests: “It might
well be concerned with the final realization of both human and divine
hopes for each other.”
What will happen?
Lessons of the past should help us
evaluate and temper ideas such as
those surrounding 2012. History
shows, however, that humanity
wants to know the particulars of
the event on its own terms, without considering the demands
placed on us by our Creator.
Come December 2012, the proclaimed end will most likely turn
out to be just like all the other
ends of the world that people
have predicted over the centuries. Meanwhile, aren’t our energy and attention better devoted
to caring for what we have been
given and to treating one another
as we would treat ourselves and
as God treats us?
Selected References:
• Peter Nathan, Vision: “Insight & New
Horizons” (2010).
• Edward Adams, The StarsWill Fall from
Heaven: “Cosmic Catastrophe” in the New
Testament and ItsWorld (2007).
• Bill Arnold, “Old Testament Eschatology and the Rise of Apocalypticism” in The
Oxford Handbook of Eschatology, edited by
Jerry L. Walls (2008).
Insight //
03
Contrecoup
SOCIÉTÉ
L’INDIFFÉRENCE DU MAURICIEN VIS-À-VIS LES DÉRAPAGES ?
Par Hemanta Diksha NEERBUN
La révolution du Jasmin ou leVendredi du départ, deux grandes manifestations sur lesquelles sont
rivés les yeux du monde entier. L’incertitude gagne de plus en plus du terrain en Tunisie et en Egypte
tandis que la situation est loin de se décanter de sitôt. La masse humaine continue à revendiquer
ses droits les plus basiques contrairement à notre société mauricienne qui continue à jouer son rôle
de « peuple admirable » vis-à-vis divers problèmes sociaux. Comment expliquer cette indifférence
d’une bonne partie des mauriciens par apport aux fléaux qui rongent notre quotidien ?
sions négatives. De peur d’être
victime de transfert punitif ou
d’être « blacklisted », se taire
représente la meilleure option.
Aussi, n’oublions pas que notre
Un simple calcul de mathéma- société est rongée par une autre
tiques nous démontre que le gangrène – le népotisme.
financement de ces deux exemples a nécessité la somme colos- Les Mauriciens ont certes plussale d’environs Rs 650 millions, ieurs autres ennuis – coût de la
somme certainement puisée de vie exorbitant, difficulté à joinl’argent des contribuables. Ces dre les deux bouts, des dettes
dépenses sont bien souvent le à rembourser – mais lorsque
sujet de conversations quotidi- leur patience viendra à bout,
ennes entres amis et autres con- ils s’inspireront des tunisiens et
des égyptiens pour réclamer jusnaissances.
tice…
Cependant rares sont ceux qui
viendront ouvertement critiquer
ces extravagances et aussi exiger Résultats du SC:
des explications. En effet, pour le collège Eden
la majorité de la population, crifait sensation
tiquer ou présenter son point de
vue peut entrainer des répercus- Le taux de réussite pour la
cuvée 2010 est de 77, 82 %
contre 77, 64 % en 2009. Huit
collèges ont réussi un sansfaute. Parmi, le collège Eden
de Rose-Hill (filles).
Les
La liste des lauréats a été proclamée le 7 février. Les bourses de l’Etat sont distribuées comme suit : sept autres collèges qui affichent un taux de réussite de
100 % sont le collège d’Etat
Girls (Economics Side) (2)
SSR National Scholarships • Dhoonooah Neha Devi – QEC
MCB Foundation
d’Ebène(filles), le collège de
• Kurnauth Varuna – QEC
(Science Side)
Scholarship
Lorette de Curepipe, le collège
•
Ramasawmy
Dalini
–
QEC
•
Jhumun
Madhvi
–
QEC
(2)
de Lorette de Quatre-Bornes,
• Gopaul Poushal – Royal Col- • Dhunnoo Ameerah – QEC
le collège de Lorette de StBoys (Economics Side)
• Rambojun Adwaye Mihirkiran
lege Curepipe
Pierre, Mahatma Gandhi SecGirl
(Arts
Side)
(1)
(2)
– Mahatma Gandhi Institute
ondary School de Solférino,
Additional Scholarships
• Cheung Tung Shing Karen Steffi
Rabridranath Tagore Second• Radhakissoon Jeeshna – QEC
• Onsiong Danny Michael – Roy(12)
– Queen Elizabeth College
ary School et la SSS Rajcoomar
Boy (Technical Side) (1)
al College Port-Louis
• Toofaneeram Hansraj – College Gujadhur. Le collège Eden
State of Mauritius Scholar- • Sunthbocus Muhammad Irfaan
Boys (Science Side) (2)
a ainsi pu rivaliser avec les
du Saint Esprit
– Royal College Curepipe
ships, Boys Science Side
grosses cylindres. 105 élèves
Girls (Economics Side) (2)
• Balgobin Shahrukh Ryan – Roy(4)
de cet établissement ont pris
Rodrigues Open
• How Choon Marie Thea Jemi- al College Curepipe
part aux derniers examens du
Scholarships
• Behary Paray Nithish Kumar – ma Shean Sieh – QEC
• Mancoo Allan – Royal College
SC. Un autre point avancé par
Boy (1)
• Ramtale Pratisha Moshmee – Curepipe
Royal College Curepipe
le directeur du MES est que 33
• Bholah Jayeshwaraj Avish – QEC
• Etienne Dezire Mikael – Rodri- collèges ont obtenu un taux
Girls (Science Side) (2)
Royal College Curepipe
de réussite variant de 95 % à
Boy (Arts Side)
gues College
• Hajee Abdoula Mohammad
100 %. Parmi ceux-là, Hindu
(1)
Girl (1)
• Woodun Heerani – QEC
Adil – College du Saint Esprit
• Boodhoo Vijna Hiteshna – QEC • Jeewon Errawati Devi – Rodri- Girls et Rodrigues Colleges
• Poonye Kheelesh – Raont réalisé 99,5 % et 99,1 %
• Babbea Alvin Mahadeo – MGI
gues College
bindranath Tagore SSS
respectivement. “Un très bon
Girl (Arts Side) (1)
Boys (Economics Side)
Le taux de réussite aux exa- travail a été accompli. Il en ressort
State of Mauritius Scholar- • Bidoo Drishtika – QEC
Boy (Technical Side) (1)
• Appadoo Ankush – College du mens de la HSC cette année est aussi que les filles ont encore une
ships, Girls Science Side
• Dosonyee Sooyash – Ra- Saint Esprit
de 78,47% contre 78,77% pour fois mieux travaillé que les garçons,
(4)
avec un taux de réussite de 81,8 %
bindranath Tagore SSS
• Luximan Arvind – Royal Col- l’année précédente.
et 73,2 % respectivement”, a-t-il
• Husnoo Sooraiya Begum – Girl (Technical Side) (1)
lege Curepipe
indiqué.
• Ramkissoon Chandnee – QEC
QEC
Un vent de rébellion semble
souffler sur le monde Arabe.
Vers la mi-décembre, un jeune
diplômé s’immole pour manifester son indignation envers le
taux alarmant du chômage qui
affecte une forte proportion de
jeunes diplômés. S’en suit une
déferlante vague de protestation
regroupant jeune diplômés, professionnels, travailleurs et civils
dans plusieurs régions de la Tunisie. La révolution du Jasmin
semble porter ses fruits ; le dictateur Ben Ali s’est vu déchu de
ses fonctions.
leur mouvement de protestations uniquement si le Président
Mubarak quitte son poste et si
des élections démocratiques sont
organisées.
millions alors que l’évaluation
initiale était estimée à Rs 75 millions? Le deuxième point à considérer se porte sur l’acceptation
de l’offre soumise par la clinique Medpoint. En temps norLes mauriciens protestent mal, lors d’un rachat rationnel,
le choix se porte sur le soumisEst-ce possible d’imaginer les sionnaire proposant un des prix
mauriciens descendre dans la rue les plus bas et offrant le plus de
pour protester ? Envisager un tel facilités. Mais est-ce vraiment le
cas de figure à Maurice semble cas pour la clinique Medpoint ?
quasi-impossible. Mais pourquoi
BPO : Infinity
? Le mauricien est-il indifférent
ou feint-t-il l’indifférence et s’il
feint l’indifférence, quelle en est Autre exemple à considérer est
la descente aux enfers de la sola raison ?
Inspirés par la révolution tunisiciété Infinity. Vu comme un des
enne, les Egyptiens revendiquent
pionniers dans le monde des
La clinique Medpoint
à leur tour le droit à la démocraBPOs lors de sa création, elle
tie. Scander des slogans anti- Prenons par exemple le rachat bénéficie une enveloppe de Rs
Mubarak, faire face aux forces de la clinique Medpoint. Com- 130 millions sous l’Additional
pro-Mubarak, les manifestants ment expliquer que le rachat Stimulus Package lorsqu’elle se
sont unanimes ; ils ne cesseront est réévalué et conclu à Rs 144 retrouve en difficulté financière.
Aujourd’hui le bâtiment a été racheté pour une coquette somme
de Rs 375 millions et ses employés sont en grève.
La liste des lauréats 2010
Insight //
04
Sécurité routière:
nouveaux règlements à partir du
1er février
Technologies Authority (Icta) lance le
Child Sexual Abuse Website Filtering.
« Le matériel de filtrage est déjà installé
et sera mis en opération mardi. Grâce à ce
logiciel, nous pourrons filtrer du contenu
internet sur la base de critères très spécifiques. Cette nouvelle technologie, basée
Dans le cadre de la sécurité routière, sur le ‘broader gateway protocole’, nous
deux nouveaux règlements sont entré permettra d’interdire l’accès à des sites
en vigueur à partir du mardi 1er févri- internet affichant des informations ou du
er. Tous les véhicules, à l’exception contenu à caractère pédophile », confie
des deux roues, doivent être munis une source à l’ICTA.
d’un extincteur pesant pas moins de
400gm ou avoir un contenu de pas Air Mauritius :
moins de 400ml. Par ailleurs, les
véhicules transportant des produits Retour des beaux
inflammables doivent, pour leur part,
avoir à leur bord, 9 litre d’une mousse jours avec Rs 495M
chimique connue comme ‘Chemi- de profits
cal Fire Extinguisher’ ainsi que deux
extincteurs ayant un contenu de pas Air Mauritius poursuit son envol.
moins de 10kg. La deuxième loi qui Après un résultat net négatif de Rs
est entré aussi en vigueur concerne 283,7 millions pour l’année financière
l’indicateur de vitesse, plus connu 2009-2010, la compagnie aérienne
comme ‘speedometer’. Ce dernier nationale clôture la période octobre
doit être en bon état de marche et in- – décembre 2010, avec un profit net
diquant la vitesse en Km ou en miles de Rs 495 millions. Une performance
à l’heure. Les contrevenants risquent enregistrée malgré la facture de cardes amendes ne dépassant Rs 10,000. burant salée de Rs 310 millions, sous
l’effet combiné de l’augmentation
prix et de la chute de l’euro. Sans
Judiciaire : Des nou- du
compter, les catastrophes naturelles
veaux postes remplis comme les cendres du volcan islandais
Eyjafjöll et les chutes de neige, enregPour la première fois le poste de istrées en 2010. Pour les neuf derniSenior Assistant DPP a été crée. Il a ers mois, Air Mauritius a fait un profit
été attribué à Me Rashid Ahmine. Il net de Rs 215 millions, comparé au
y a aussi celui du “Deputy DPP” qui résultat net négatif de Rs 283,7 milest toujours vacant. Cependant Mes lions pour l’année financière 2009Johanne Mootoo-Leckning et Mo- 2010. Quant au taux de remplissage,
hana Naidu ont été promues “Assis- il reste stable à 82,9 points et le derntant DPP”. Pour sa part, Me Aruna ier trimestre affiche un record avec
Narain-Ramloll remplace Me David 363 649 passagers, soit + 15,4% par
Chan au poste “d’Acting Parliamen- rapport au troisième trimestre 2009.
tary Counsel”. M.Luchmyparsad Le nombre de passagers retrouve
Aujayeb Principal State Counsel est presque son équilibre de la pré-crise,
promu Président du Cooperative Tri- avec un bond de 16,6% alors que le
bunal.Quant à Me Karuna Balaghee secteur fret progresse de 19,7%.
elle est promue “Acting Assistant Solicitor General”.
e-Register : Réduire
De son coté Me Jane Lau Yuk Poon
devient “Acting Assistant Parliamentary Counsel”. De son coté la magistrate, Ratna Seetohul-Toolsee assume
la responsabilité de Vice Présidente de
la cour industrielle.
Tous les sites
pédophiles bloqués
à Maurice
Jusqu’ici, les internautes mauriciens
avaient accès à tout et n’importe quoi
sur la Toile. Depuis lundi dernier, les
autorités mauriciennes ont interdit
l’accès à certains sites. Dans leur viseur : les sites à caractère pédophile.
Et elles comptent être particulièrement strictes à ce sujet avec une observation rigoureuse de la loi dans ce
domaine.
diants et, d’autre part, de faciliter
l’administration. Il a rassuré les parents de la nature confidentielle de ce
système “très fiable”. « L’introduction
du e-Register fera date dans les annales
de l’administration des institutions éducatives à Maurice. C’est un nouvel exemple de
l’innovation que fait preuve les autorités
en matière de sécurité et de discipline dans
les collèges, » a déclaré Tassarajen Pillay
Chedumbrum.
Dans un premier temps, le nouveau
système concerne 21 collèges et d’ici
la fin de l’année, c’est l’ensemble des
collèges publics et privés qui sera y
connecté. Dans la pratique, un officier, ayant un accès privilégié au
système, y enregistrera les noms des
étudiants absents, soit environ 30
minutes après la rentrée des classes.
Aussitôt que les données sont introduites dans une application web, les
parents seront avertis de l’absence de
leurs enfants au collège. Le ministère
souligne que les parents ne sont pas
obligés de souscrire au projet. Mais
c’est dans leur intérêt de soumettre
leurs numéros de téléphone afin que
le collège puisse les avertir en cas
d’absence non-autorisée de leurs enfants.
Manifestation contre
l’ouverture de McDonald’s à Phoenix
Les protestations contre la présence
d’un restaurant McDonald’s non loin
d’un centre Hare Rama Hare Krishna
s’accentuent. Au moins 300 personnes ont manifesté leur désaccord avec
ce projet, en défilant à Pheonix, le
mercredi 9 février.
Le front commun hindou a réuni
une bonne foule à Phoenix, le mercredi 9 février, pour protester contre l’ouverture d’un restaurant McDonald’s, dans l’enceinte du centre
l’école buissonnière commercial Jumbo à Phoenix. La
mobilisation se veut une manifestaL’ère des “ti-plans brite” pour faire tion de solidarité avec le mouvement
l’école buissonnière sera bientôt ré- Hare Rama Hare Krishna, qui convolue. Une fois n’est pas coutume, teste, l’implantation d’une antenne
les nouvelles technologies viendront du géant américain du fast food à 200
mettre un frein aux pulsions des ado- mètres d’un centre appartenant à
lescents.
l’organisation hindoue.
L’e-Register, soit un système qui
alerte les parents par SMS de
l’absence de leurs progénitures au
collège, a été lancé le mercredi 9
février 2011. Ce lancement a été réalisé par Vasant Bunwaree, ministre de
l’Education et Tassarajen Pillay Chedumbrum, ministre des Technologies
de línformation et de la communication au SSS Boys Forest Side. Ce projet des deux ministères a eu le soutien
du National Computer Board, de Microsoft et de Mauritius Telecom.
Pour le ministre de l’Education,
À l’occasion de l’Internet Day, l’e-Register permet, d’une part,
l’Information & Communication de réduire l’absentéisme des étu-
L’ambiance était fébrile à Phoenix.
Des jeunes, pancartes en main, ont
défilé en entonnant des chants religieux et de exécutant des danses traditionnels. Deux veaux, des animaux
vénérés par les hindous avaient été
placés en tête du cortège venant des
régions avoisinantes. Les manifestants
se sont réunis sur un terrain appartenant au Mouvement Hare Rama Hare
Krishna se trouve à proximité du restaurant McDonald’s.
Actualité en bref
CONFIDENTIELS
Polémique autour de la célébration
de l’Abolition de l’esclavage
Sylvio Michel rend sa médaille GOSK au président
de la république… Le dernier spectacle lors de la
célébration de l’abolition de l’esclavage au Morne,
a été la goutte d’eau qui a fait déborder la vase. En
effet, les Verts Fraternels ont lutté durant des années pour la valorisation de la mémoire des esclaves
et de leurs descendants.
Liberté d’expression : Certaines
personnes veulent acheter la conscience des gens
Une déclaration de l’écrivain Dev Virasawmy,
dans le sillage de la polémique entourant la pièce
présentée au Morne le 1er février. Dans une interview, il a critiqué ceux qui imposent leurs idées sur
les groupes vulnérables.
Vente à la barre : Cangayen Pillay
consigne une déposition à la Central CID contre la Mauritius Commercial Bank
Cela s’est passé aux Casernes Centrales. Le président de l’Association Sale by Levy and Injustice a
déploré que l’institution bancaire n’ait pas respectée certaines dispositions de la Borrowers Protection Act dans le cadre d’une saisie.
L’Iran salue un soulèvement islamique dans le monde arabe
Le monde arabe connaît un “mouvement de libération islamique” et les Etats-Unis vont subir une
“défaite irrémédiable” dans la région, a jugé Ali
Khamenei, “guide suprême” de la Révolution en
Iran.
Competition Commission of Mauritius : Un nouveau directeur prend
poste fin mars
En effet après le départ de John Davies, c’est Sean
Forrest Ennis qui a été choisi par le gouvernement
pour diriger cet organisme. Hautement qualifié et
muni de longues expériences, il a travaillé pour
l’OCDE à Paris et à la Direction Générale Competition de la Commission Européenne de Bruxelles.
Introduction de la peine capitale :
La position de l’Attorney General
rejoint celle du Premier Ministre
En effet,Yatin Varma s’est aussi prononcé sur ce sujet qui fait débat depuis un certain temps. La ré-introduction de cette loi qui a été suspendue uniquement, ne nécessite aucun amendement dans notre
constitution affirme Yatin Varma.
Insight //
05
Actualité
MUNICIPALITOS-COMMERCANTS
DE GRÂCE, QU’ON APPLIQUE LES LOIS CORRECTEMENT !
Par Aldo AMIC
Les marchands ne se promèneront plus sacs en main et sous en poche comme jadis. L’état, pour la énième et semble-t-il toute
dernière fois, applique les lois mais…
Depuis peu (depuis toujours aussi d’ailleurs), le gouvernement
met tout en œuvre pour nettoyer
nos rues, ruelles et autres lieu de
passage des marchands dits ambulants. Et pourtant, force est
d’admettre que les marchandises
continuent de déambuler sur les
trottoirs. Le dernier cas faisant
date est celui des commerçants
de Rose-Hill. Ils se sont ainsi fait
rappeler à l’ordre par les officiers de la Police.
Un rappel qui cependant n’a pas
été comme les précédentes : cette fois-ci les marchands ambulants s’en sont allés et pour de
bon apparemment. Les autorités
de la ville concernée ont plus que
redoublées d’efforts pour parvenir (finalement) à repousser ces
travailleurs illégaux. Délogés
oui, mais toujours est-il que malgré des descentes policières sur
le terrain, certains marchands
viennent encore écrouler leurs
articles sur leur lieu de prédilection. Certains ont pris peur,
d’autres leur courage en main
pour continuer de lutter contre
la loi. Et la Justice en question,
où est-elle alors ? Les officiers de
l’ordre où sont-ils ?
Un point utile qu’il est tout de
même important de soulever
est le suivant : comment pendant des années, ceux au pouvoir, ont-ils permis de telles lar-
gesses. Pourquoi agir seulement
à l’aube de 2011 ? Les victimes
eux, devront être relogées ici
et là. Sauf qu’un autre dilemme
intervient, ces dits victimes ont
déjà une clientèle fidèle là où ils
ont travaillé pendant des années.
Connaître d’autres ailleurs serait
pour eux perdre une bonne partie de leurs habitués et de leurs
habitudes. Evidemment, il va
sans dire que des manifestations
sortent sous terre mais toutes les
mairies et les municipalités ne
se laissent pas aussi facilement
influencées. Faire place dans nos
rues pour créer des conflits «
municipalitos-commercants »,
réfléchissons-y.
ÉDUCATION
UNE PRE-ÉLITE À TROIS (VOIRE DEUX) CREDITS
Par Aldo AMIC
Gilberte Chung, directrice du BEC
« L’enseignement du Bible Knowledge n’est pas imposé aux élèves »
Donné plus d’accès à la HSC, tel a été la devise de l’état en limitant le
nombre de « credits » à 3 pour le grand saut en classe supérieure. Bonne
mesure en perspective, pas très judicieuse d’autre part car une éducation
dite appauvrie risque de peser lourd.
passera-t-il dans le monde de
l’emploi quand ces jeunes adultes essaieront de trouver du travail, avec seulement 3 « credits »
à leur actif alors que la majorité
des employeurs en demandent
5. Comment réagir à cela subséquemment ? L’éducation est
un mouvement important qui
permet d’avoir un lendemain
meilleur. La formation de nos
élites l’est encore plus. Oui à
l’éducation donc mais non à des
reformes pas assez révisées, pas
Soulignons seulement que la assez réfléchies surtout. L’enfant
mutation enclenchée par le gou- n’est pas un pion qu’on bouge
vernement, n’est pas vraiment : le système éducatif semble lui
une nouvelle mesure. Puisque être un échiquier infernal.
dans le passé, plusieurs collèges
ont déjà recrutés des élèves pour Les cours de formation profesla HSC avec trois « credits ». Les sionnels existent. Faisons-en un
collèges privés payant, accept- bon usage.
ant même les deux « credits » et
L’objectif de faire de notre île, moins dans certains cas.
un lieu où chaque famille aurait
un diplômé ne semble donc pas Dans ce cas précis, que se
Les résultats de la « School Certificate » étaient à peine dévoilés
que le Ministère de l’Éducation
s’avançait déjà sur le devant de
la scène avec de nouvelles modérations. C’est ainsi qu’il fut décidé que le nombre de « credits
» pour avoir accès à la « Higher
School Certificate » serait revu à
la baisse, passant de 4 à 2 voire 3
dans la majorité des cas. Le nombre d’élèves passant dans la classe
supérieure sera dorénavant de
2000 de plus. La nouvelle réforme demande seulement à ce
que l’apprenant ait l’anglais dans
les trois matières où il a brillé.
Il va sans dire qu’il y a aussi des
combinaisons clefs qui seront
utiles et obligatoires à respecter
une fois le candidat déclaré apte
à faire sa « Lower VI ».
loin. Plus de qualification signifie bien sûr un délaissement pour
les métiers dits manuels. Si tous
deviennent des « élites », qui
sont ceux qui feront les métiers
de plomberie, de livraison et autres ?
Le Bureau de l’Education Catholique (BEC) sort enfin de son
mutisme après la polémique soulevée autour de l’enseignement
du Bible Knowledge dans les collèges confessionnels. Des
parents d’élèves contestent que cette matière soit obligatoire
jusqu’en Form III au collège du St-Esprit.
Ils estiment que cette démarche vise à convertir les enfants
d’autres confessions au catholicisme. Dans un communiqué
émis mercredi, le BEC lance un appel pour que les parents ne
confondent pas enseignement religieux et enseignement d’une
civilisation.
La directrice du BEC, Gilberte Chung
soutient que l’enseignement de cette matière n’a jamais été imposé aux élèves. « Si
un parent objecte à ce que son enfant étudie la
matière Bible Knowledge, il reste libre de son
choix », explique-t-elle.
Insight //
06
Insolites
Obama dit au revoir à son porte-parole en
lui rendant sa cravate 7 ans plus tard
Le président des Etats-Unis Barack
Obama a dit au revoir à son porteparole Robert Gibbs en lui rendant
une cravate qu’il lui avait empruntée en 2004 lors d’un discours ayant
marqué le début de son ascension
politique nationale.
avait été invité à prononcer un discours devant la convention présidentielle démocrate de Boston (Massachusetts, nord-est) qui entérinait la
candidature de John Kerry.
“Et 10 minutes avant de monter sur le
podium, nous nous disputions encore sur
les cravates. Michelle (son épouse, NDLR)
n’en aimait aucune”, a poursuivi le
président. “Puis quelqu’un, je ne sais
Ce discours, dans lequel M. Obama plus qui, a dit: +et la cravate de Gibbs?+”
avait appelé à dépasser les frontières
Quelques minutes après avoir pro- partisanes, est resté dans les mé- “Il n’en a rien dit, mais je sais qu’il
noncé une allocution solennelle moires comme le début de son ascen- n’était pas content de ne l’avoir jamais
consacrée à la démission du prési- sion nationale.
récupérée”, a ajouté le président, avant
dent égyptien Hosni Moubarak, M.
de remettre à M. Gibbs la fameuse
Obama s’est rendu dans la salle de
cravate bleue, mais encadrée, à côté
presse de la Maison Blanche où M.
d’un mot de remerciements et de
Gibbs tenait son dernier point de
photos les représentant.
presse après un peu plus de deux ans
à son poste.
M. Gibbs a annoncé son départ début
janvier pour participer à la cam“Evidemment, le départ de Gibbs n’est pas
pagne de réélection de M. Obama
le départ le plus important aujourd’hui”,
en 2012. Il sera remplacé dès lundi
a plaisanté M. Obama, en allusion
par Jay Carney, un ancien journaliste
aux événements du Caire.
politique jusqu’alors porte-parole du
“Beaucoup d’entre vous pensent que c’est vice-président Joe Biden.
Le président a rappelé que M. Gibbs mon discours qui nous a le plus mobilisés,
avait travaillé avec lui depuis l’époque mais en fait le problème le plus difficile
où il était candidat au Sénat en 2004. que j’ai eu à résoudre était de savoir quelle
C’est la même année que M. Obama cravate mettre”, a révélé M. Obama.
“Kissmob” record à Bordeaux
avec 835 bisous échangés
Le record de 835 bisous échangés a
été atteint à Bordeaux, veille de la
Saint-Valentin, à l’occasion d’une
“kissmob” dont le principe est de déposer un baiser sur la joue gauche de
son voisin, selon les organisateurs.
Le coup d’envoi de cette chaîne humaine a été donné d’un coup de
sifflet à 14H50 sur les quais de la
Garonne et ce n’est que 23 minutes
plus tard que la dernière personne a
reçu le dernier baiser sous les acclamations et les applaudissements des
participants.
Vous êtes journaliste ou vous en connaissez un dans votre entourage ? Alors ceci
vous concerne.
La Commission de lócéan Indien (COI) chargée de
la mise en œuvre du Projet d’Appui à l’Initiative Régionale de prévention du VIH/SIDA lance un concours régional destiné aux journalistes de la télé,
radio et presse écrite de ses quatre pays membres
notamment Les Comores, Madagascar, Maurice et
Les Seychelles.
Règles du concours
• Tous les articles / reportages devront être publiés
au plus tard le 30 juin 2011 par un organe de presse
des quatre pays membres mentionnés plus haut ;
• Les articles / reportages concerneront la problématique du VIH / SIDA ;
• Les articles / reportages devront être en langue
française ou sous-titré en français ou accompagné
d’une traduction en français pour la presse écrite.
Par contre, les reportages radios ne peuvent être traduits ;
• Les reportages télé seront d’une durée de deux
minutes et les articles de presse ne devront pas dépasser la demi-page de journal.
Les prix
Deux prix seront décernés pour chaque type de
presse (télé, radio et presse écrite).
“J’ai organisé ça car j’avais envie de faire
parler de Bordeaux et de montrer que c’est
une ville qui peut bouger”, a-t-il expliqué.
Faute d’huissier pour homologuer ce record, M. Mercier a filmé
l’ensemble de la manifestation à
laquelle ont participé des jeunes tout
comme des familles bordelaises ainsi
L’organisateur, Fredd Mercier, un que de nombreux étudiants, dont
boucher bordelais de 29 ans, s’est beaucoup d’étrangers.
félicité d’avoir battu le précédent record, enregistré en Charente, dans la “Je trouve cette initiative vraiment sympa
commune de Saint-Trojan avec une et je suis contente d’y participer”, a rac“kissmob” qui avait réuni 564 person- onté enthousiaste Laurene, une étunes.
diante californienne.
Saint-Valentin: manifestation “romantique”
à Bagdad pour changer la vie
Des jeunes Irakiens ont décidé
d’organiser une manifestation “pacifique et romantique” à l’occasion de la
Saint-Valentin pour demander aux
dirigeants d’aimer leur pays plutôt
que le piller.
Voulez-vous être élu
“Meilleur journaliste
de l’océan Indien” ?
“groupe de la révolution bleue”, ont appelé sur Facebook à un rassemblement sur la place Tahrir de Bagdad,
qui porte le même nom que celle du
Caire.
“Nous ne voulons pas que la Saint-Valen- -tie, la citoyenneté et la liberté”, a afTrois entités laïques, “Pas de silence”, tin soit seulement un jour d’amour mais firmé Karnas Ali, un jeune ingénieur
“Bagdad ne sera pas Kandahar” et le aussi une fête pour la réforme, la démocra qui se définit comme “très libéral”.
Les gagnants de chaque catégorie remporteront un
voyage tous frais payés aux Seychelles pour les 8ème
jeux des Iles de l’océan Indien ainsi qu’un trophée.
Le deuxième prix consiste en un lot de matériel pédagogique journalistique ainsi qu’un trophée.
Le rôle de la COI
La COI se définit comme une organisation de coopération régionale créée en 1984 qui est appelée à répondre à ces difficultés en défendant les intérêts et le
développement durable de ses membres. Elle instruit des projets de coopération favorisant l´échange de
connaissance et une mobilisation des efforts vers des
buts communs.
Ses activités sont essentiellement orientées vers :
• La défense des intérêts insulaires de ses pays membres dans les enceintes internationales et auprès des
organisations díntégration régionale ;
• La préservation et la valorisation de lénvironnement
et des ressources naturelles ;
• La dimension régionale du développement humain.
Insight souhaite bonne chance
à tous les participants.
Insight //
07
Your Forum
WORLD CANCER DAY 2011
WRITE OR WRONG
No. 3 Disease in Mauritius
MO ENN MORICIEN (Part II)
By Jhaneshi JUGESSUR
By The HUMAN
The World celebrated the
World Cancer Day on the
4th February 2011. Cancer is the killer disease
in this modern era. One
should be sensitive to
this issue as millions of
people are living with, or
have died of, this disease.
In Mauritius, educating
people on cancer has recently started and much
remains to be done.
ing and avoid direct exposure
to sunlight or at least wear
sunscreen lotions. It is interesting to note that, even, reuse of
What is cancer actually? No, I plastic bottles and use of plastic
am not talking about the zodiac containers are risky.
sign. Briefly, it is described as a
malignant growth due to abnor- The Mauritian government has
mal cell division that may spread initiated a National Cancer Preto the other parts of the body. vention Programme. Objective:
Cancer, if diagnosed at an early sensitisation on healthy diets and
stage can be treated by surgery, national screening programmes.
radiotherapy or chemotherapy Cancer mortality can, actually,
with, however, numerous side be decreased by early deteceffects and risks of relapse. Yet, tion and treatment. It is recom12 % deaths are attributed to mended to go for check-ups
cancer in Mauritius and even once a year as from 21. Vaccines
are available for prevention of
more in Rodrigues at 13.1 %.
cervical cancer as at the age of
According to the World Health 11 for girls.
Organisation, 30% of cancers
could be prevented. The major It has been predicted that canrisk factor for cancer is tobacco. cer will kill people at an increasAnother reason for smokers ing rate in the coming years to
Cancer does not discriminate out there to drop the cigarette. reach over 11 million in 2030.
between race, creed, religion, Alcohol abuse, lack of physical Let’s not be one of the victims
age, status or bank balances. The activity, low fruit and vegetable by taking sensible prevention
proof: even stars – Kylie Mi- intakes are other threats. Sur- and screening initiatives. As the
nogue, Patrick Swayze, Lisa Ray, prisingly, air pollution and the theme for the World Cancer
Feroz Khan and many others sun (UV rays) are carcinogens. Day 2011 goes, “Cancer can be
have been affected. Amongst the So, roll up your car windows prevented too.”
youngest patients is a three-year when exhaust pipes are fumold girl in Toronto diagnosed
with breast cancer. Indeed, nobody is spared.
J ust a th o ught
By Noorjahan JHINGOOR
A thought. It can just
transform the course of
life of someone. Normally described as, to focus
one’s attention on a certain state, a thought can
eventually blink to us anytime or anywhere.
The upcoming generation is focusing much more on the factual
side instead of using their mind
to think. Our world is facing so
much of crisis and no one is really giving a real thought about
it. We are bound to our own
imagination which prevents
us from thinking about issues
around us.
One can change the world
with just a thought.
Think, ponder or contemplate,
what is important is that you are
giving it a consideration. Our
mind is a complex set up which
needs an active push on in order
not to rust. The stem of each of
our thought is stigmatized by a
The trend of life is such nowasense of déjà vu thus inciting us
days that human beings have No matter where you go or to produce the same image in
stop thinking as their actions are what you do, you live your en- our imagination. So, this is to
based on impulsion. Our very tire life within the confines of emphasize on the fact that we
basic needs are characterized your head. Just one thought can should feel concerned by what
by a feeling of possession which change the course of action of is happening around and conresults to our impulsive way of a whole nation. Great achieve- tribute a thought to it.
reactions thus forbearing the ments take place by just a click
thinking part.
in the head. Einstein stamped on Thinking is one of the few
history not by mere coincidence things that differentiate us from
A motive is usually driven by a but everything began for him by non intelligent creatures. We
thought. The want of achieving just a thought. This was just to think to improve, we think to
or imposing oneself in society highlight on the importance of bring changes. So, give it just a
thus of making something out of thinking. Focalize thinking can thought!
our normal lives. But to be able bring a lot of positive change in
to attain this, one should give it people’s life, in our life. We just
a thought!
have to give it a cerebration.
[email protected]
everyone who speaks Creole has
surely mouthed this word today.
The reason why I am classifying
‘Ey’ as a negative Mauritian trait
is because it is used informally.
You will not call your mom or
your lecturer ‘Ey’, unless you
are stupid. We Mauritians say ‘Ey’
whenever we are short of arguments, whenever we don’t know
the name of the person we are
talking to or simply because ‘Ey’
is so handy that it creeps in most
of the sentences we utter.
‘Ey’ is not a vulgar word. It is
I’m in a bad mood since rather a slang that we use as
some days now. And this shortcut or ‘bouss trou’ when we
is surely the wrong state speak. Nothing more, nothing
of mind to write a col- less. But it remains, in my humumn, isn’t? And how ble opinion, a negative trait.
about writing about the
negative traits of Mauritians when you wear a
long face? Surely not the
best scenario. But I will
venture myself into it and
to make things better (or
worst), I will write extemporaneously.
To conclude on this inexhaustible list of Mauritian negative
demeanour, I will talk about our
docile nature. We Mauritians
are so famously docile that our
policy makers ‘fer ceki zot envi arr
nou.’ I have hardly seen people of
all classes uniting their forces together and voicing out. Neither
As I have previously said, Mau- have I seen students coming toritians are fans of ‘vey zaffaire gether on one single platform as
dimune’ and spitting where ever a single body to express disagreethey feel like. I believe these two ment on pertinent issues. Probhabits need no more elabora- ably the last time Mauritianstion. Today I want to write about based on their ethnic differences
a common characteristic in the - voiced out was the February
way Mauritians speak. Last year 1999 Riot. Since then, there have
during my visit to India, I was only been sporadic movements
pleasantly surprised by the single supporting starving trade unioncommon word that was in every ists.
sentence of my friends who came
from 16 different countries of This common trait of characthe world. The famous word was ter is the most dangerous as it
‘Hey’. This seemingly small and makes us mere toys in the hands
unimportant word is an excla- of our deciders. This stand is bemation used to ‘attract attention ing discussed here in the wake of
or to express surprise or inter- ongoing revolts in Tunisia,Yemen
est.’ At first I could not under- and Egypt. Mauritius is undoubtstand the raison d’être of this edly a democratic country but
word in their phrases but when are we, civilians, partie prenante?
I tried to look for its equivalent The Executive, the Legislative
in our Creole language, I laughed and the Judiciary are the official
at myself. It was only then that pillars of our democracy and the
I understood the pertinence of Media is the unofficial one. But
the word. In Mauritius, everyone what about civilians? What is our
uses the word ‘Ey’ while speaking. contribution in making MauriEveryone, without exception. Be tius a participative democracy.
it the student who had three re- You have the answer, my docile
sits this year, be it fishmonger, patriots.
be it the beggar, be it the Dean
of any faculty. You name them,
Insight //
08
Events
National Day Celebration
Forum on Education in March by solaris
In the context of the 43rd Independence of Mauritius, Solaris is organising a Forum on Education,
for students from targeted secondary schools of the northern region and tertiary institutions.
Forty three years down the road,
Mauritius has today acquired, as
of right the position of being one
of the most literate countries in
Africa. Statistics report a literacy
rate of above 90% in 2010, a progression of just above 10 points
over the last 20 years. This glorious score brings a unique sense
of pride to the nation, which
population are mere descendants
of labourers and slaves shipped in
many decades ago to toil the soil
or drudged at the service of colonialism.
Benjamin Disraeli once said that
“Upon the education of the people
of a country, the fate of the country depends”. This tag-line seems
to have found root in the minds
of revered leaders as Mauritius
awoke as an independent state
in 1968. Education soon became
one of the main preoccupations
of the then ruling Government.
A landmark decision was to redefine the education landscape of
the country; a decision that will
bear fruit for many more decades
to come – the decision of the Labour Party in December 1976 to
give free access to education up
to secondary level. Once a privilege reserved only to those who
could financially afford the same,
the doors to academic training
was now open to everyone. Education was now within reach of
even the most socially vulnerable.
Since then considerable investments of resources, by respective Governments, has been put
into the education sector - universal and compulsory education, supply of free textbooks
to students, modern infrastructure, construction of numerous
schools and colleges, training to
education officers, recruitment
of qualified personnel, regular
reforms of the system, grant of
scholarships to best performing students at Higher School
Certificate level, free transport,
subsidies to private confessional
schools, unstinting funding in
education by the Government.
Figures speak for the work that
has been carried out over the
years in the furtherance of education: as at date, we have a total
of 252 primary state and private
aided schools, 59 state and private secondary schools and 61
tertiary institutions.
Even tertiary education sector has exponentially expanded
during recent years. In 2009,
the tertiary student population
was approximately 42,260, out
which 72% were pursuing their
higher studies locally.
In addition to the Ministry of
Education and Human Resources, the present Government introduced another ministry with
a mission to expand the tertiary
education sector and transform
Mauritius into a regional centre
of excellence in higher education, the Ministry of Tertiary Education, Science, Research and
Technology.
Amongst tertiary institutions
based locally, we have today a
Medical school, a Dental school
and a school of Engineering providing world class training to
Mauritian students, as well as
international students. The much
prestigious University of Middlesex, UK has today an international campus based in Mauritius. We are not only providing
education to Mauritians, but also
to international students.
The Initiative
to express his opinion (recom- which they believe deem conmendations) on matters which sideration and appraisal by the
In the context of the 43rd Inde- he believes need consideration stakeholders.
pendence of Mauritius, Solaris by decision making parties.
An academic curriculum is alwill organise a Forum on Educaways incomplete if the cultural
Date &Venue
tion, for students from targeted
and historical exposure of a counsecondary schools of the northtry is not included in the learning
The
event
is
scheduled
for
end
ern region, and other tertiary
of March 2011. No date has yet process of a student. Therefore a
institutions.
been finalised as this shall be cultural segment will also form
The objective of the Forum is subject to the availability of the part of the event:
Guest Speakers, Ministers and
two folded:
• A flag raising ceremony;
other VIPs.
• Artistic representation of the
(i) A historical exposé on the
multicultural facet of Mauritius;
With
a
sitting
capacity
of
above
evolution of the education sector
over these 43 post Independence 1,500 persons, the venue ear- • Documentary illustrating the
years – it deems important to marked for the Forum shall be evolution of the education sector
remind this growing generation the “Grand Baie International Con- since 1968;
• Other cultural items.
of the contribution of respective ference Centre”.
Governments in the said sector
Programme
About Solaris
and the development brought
in through various reforms, political decisions and legislative The core component of the Solaris is a platform of young
Forum will consist of sympo- motivated individuals residing in
amendments to the system.
sium, with the participation of the north, selflessly driven to acAwareness and knowledge of prominent Professors from the tively contribute and participate
these historical facts is an essen- University of Mauritius, ex- in social activities with a broader
tial component to the complete members of the parliament and bearing than conventional social
education of a student, who is other eminent personalities from involvement.
often referred to as “l’avenir d’un the education sector. Topics will
pays”. Unless these leaders of to- be sorted to cover major events With all due respect and regards
morrow understand and recog- and periods in the past 43 years to the positive involvement of
nize the involvement, sacrifice which helped and contributed in few social organizations and
and hard work of different stake- the development of the referred other “groupement de jeune”,
holders in achieving the level of sector in Mauritius or more gen- of the region, there’s a vacuum
academic excellence which Mau- erally on the impact of education when it comes to an assembly of
ritius enjoys this day, they will in the social economic develop- young intellectuals, hailing high
the passion and desire to devote
fail to acknowledge and value the ment of the country.
their individual resources to noadvantages and benefits that have
been put in place for the better- Solaris will in due course launch ble motives.
ment of education and for the an essay writing competition on
betterment of the citizens of our a subject relating to the scope of Solaris endeavours to contribthis present event and the winner ute to the enhancement of the
country;
of such competition will be invit- Mauritian society through social
(ii) A platform to address and ed to present his essay during the projects, sports activities, culidentify issues in the education program. Further, prizes will be tural events and academic consector, which from a student’s awarded to the three best essays. ferences.
perspective may warrant reform.
Want to join in?
A key feature to have an efficient The end section of the sympoSend your request to
and productive system is that the sium will be allocated to few
main protagonist of this same selected students, to express [email protected]
system be given the opportunity views, comments or suggestions
Journée Nationale de la Jeunesse
2ème Edition du Youth Dance Fiesta
Dans le Cadre de la Journée
Nationale de la Jeunesse, le
Ministère de la Jeunesse et des
Sports organise une Compétition
de danse en 3 catégories, nommément occidentale, orientale,
locale, sur l’esplanade du Plaza,
Rose Hill le vendredi 11 mars
2011 à 11h30.
Les jeunes artistes, âgés entre 15
et 29 ans, (groupe de 5 à 8 personnes) intéressés sont priés de
remplir les fiches de participation qui peuvent être obtenues
dans les Centres de Jeunesse à
travers l’île ou téléchargés sur
http://youthsport.gov.mu
Les intéressés (collèges/club
de jeunesse/groupes) seront
appelés à passer une audition
afin de sélectionner 5 meilleur
groupes par catégories pour la
finale le 11 mars 2011.
Les auditions auront lieu, à partir
de 09h00, aux endroits suivants:
• Centre de Jeunesse Pamplemousses, mardi 22 février 2011
pour les régions de Pamplemousses, Rivière du Rempart et
Port Louis.
• Centre de Jeunesse Rose Belle,
mercredi 23 février 2011 pour
les régions de Grand Port et Savanne.
• Centre de Jeunesse Helvetia,
jeudi 24 février 2011 pour les
régions Moka, Flacq, Plaine Wilhems et Rivière Noire.
Les sélectionnés auront un cachet de Rs 3,000 pour les préparatifs et costumes.
Les gagnants
Date limite pour la soumission
des fiches de participation est
le vendredi 18 février 2011 au
Ministère de la Jeunesse et des
Sports, 9ème Etage, Immeuble
NPF, Rose Hill, par fax sur no.
465 3291 ou par email:
[email protected]
Pour plus de renseignements
• 1ère prix : Rs 15,000 + 1 shield veuillez téléphoner sur le
• 2ème prix : Rs 10,000 + 1 shield 4664762 ou 4653610.
• 3ème prix : Rs 5,000 + 1 shield
Insight //
09
Entertainment
Emtel TeamTweet
HOROSCOPE OF THE MONTH
A
(Mar. 21- April 20)
e
i
(July 23-Aug 22)
(Nov. 23 -Dec. 21)
You need a change and you need
to earn more cash. You must
not let fellow workers take advantage of your fine talents. You
will be tempted to shop till you
drop. Don’t allow your lover to
take advantage of your good nature.
Your luckiest events this month will
occur on a Tuesday.
Secret affairs will only lead to
deception. Take whatever time
you can to get to know each
other all over again. Don’t be
too eager to spend money that
you really don’t have. You may
find your nights sleepless due to
bad dreams.
occur on a Thursday.
b
f
(Apr. 21- may 21)
Problems with in-laws or relatives may be more damaging
than you realize. Get help to
finish a project if you need it.
Don’t overspend on items for
your home. Home improvement projects will run smoothly.
occur on a Monday.
c
(Aug. 23 -Sept. 23)
You can change your living arrangements. Problems with
peers is apparent. Difficulties
with female members of your
family may result in estrangement’s. Do not get involved in
joint financial ventures.
occur on a Friday.
g
(Sept. 24 -Oct. 23)
You may have a problem with
coworkers if you try to tell
them what to do. You can expect changes in your financial
situation as well as in your status. Be prepared to neutralize
any threats. Focus on your own
domestic problems.
occur on a Saturday.
Do not let them in on your
plans if you want things to run
smoothly. Your colorful conversation may attract new mates.
Your mate will be pushing you
to do things that you really
don’t want to do. Consider a
trial separation if you and your
mate just can’t come to terms.
occur on a Thursday.
d
h
(May 22-June 21)
(June 22-July 22)
Financial gains can be made
through wise investments. You
need to get down to basics
with regard to yourself. Don’t
give out any personal information that you don’t want spread
around. You should be doing
something special with children.
occur on a Sunday.
(Oct. 24 - Nov. 22)
Let them know what your intentions are. You will probably
have to defend your mate. Lovers may prove unworthy of your
affection. Your best efforts will
come through hard work.
occur on a Tuesday.
Outbursts of passion may cause
arguments with your mate. You
will be able to talk to your lover
about future goals and perhaps
make plans for the two of you to
take a vacation. Don’t exhaust
yourself or minor health problems will set in. Don’t overindulge in anyway.
occur on a Sunday.
j
(Dec 22.- Jan. 20)
This day was meant for love.
Make creative changes to your
residence. Romantic opportunities will be plentiful if you
go out with friends. You may be
admired by colleagues and employers for your diplomatic way
of handling your work and those
you work with. Keep the promises you’ve made.
occur on aWednesday.
k
Live the new football season on Emtel TeamTweet and stay in touch
with your favourite team while on the go! Teamtweet gives you the
latest news, schedules, match reviews as well as live comments and
scores when your team is playing. To register, all you have to do is
send Reg followed by your team’s code by SMS to 8800*.
Daniel is in his first year at the University. He also has a part time job
in a fast food snack and is very often unable to watch football matches
during week-ends. With Emtel TeamTweet, he is now able to be on
his place of work and still be aware of what’s happening during the
match.
Daniel’s favourite team is Arsenal FC. To register for this team he
sends Reg Arsn by SMS to 8800*. He therefore receives all updates
concerning Arsenal FC and he is informed of all goals scored as well
as other events whenever Arsenal is playing a match. He can therefore
follow Arsenal’s matches live through his mobile anytime, anywhere!
With Emtel TeamTweet, you will also receive a “Joke of the week” on
your rival team as well as the “Event of the week” concerning your
team.
Several teams are available with Emtel TeamTweet:
*Tariff: Rs 10 per month, per team. Normal SMS tariffs apply for all SMS sent to 8800
(Jan. 21 -Feb. 19)
Don’t be shy; show your abilities! Sign up for seminars that
will expand your business
awareness. Property investments, insurance, tax rebates,
or inheritance should bring you
financial gains.
occur on a Friday.
SUDOKU
Level : Hard
2
7
2
l
5
8
2
3
1
6
9
4
4
7
8
4
7
2
3
8
4
6
7
(Feb. 20-Mar. 20)
Joint ventures might prove to
be unfavorable. Don’t let your
partner goad you into wearing your heart on your sleeve.
New relationships will surface
through work events. Try not to
push philosophies on others.
occur on a Saturday.
5
9
9
1
9
5
Insight //
Hard Sudoku from
www.SudokuPuzz.com
10
In the context of
« NATIONAL DAY CELEBRATION 2011»
Solaris presents
ESSAY WRITING
COMPETITION
Do you enjoy writing? Passion or hobby, here is the
chance to show your skills and be rewarded!
Win Rs. 10,000
Theme :
“World class education in Mauritius – prologue or epilogue?”
? Cash prize of MUR 10,000 for winner & winning essay published in Insight.
? The competition is opened to all students aged 15 or above.
? The essay should be in correct English, with maximum word count of 2000.
? Author’s name, date of birth, educational institution, phone number and residential
address should be clearly printed in bold on top of the first page of the essay.
? Send your essay to [email protected]
? The subject of the email should be “Solaris Essay writing competition”.
? Deadline for submission is 15 March 2011.
Good Luck
Insight //
11
Hollywood
Screen Actors Guild Awards 2011
Natalie Portman won (again) for Best Actress, Mila Kunis stunned in Alexander McQueen, and
SofiaVergara flaunted her curves.The Golden Globes are boozy, the Oscars rife with anxiety - but
at the Directors Guild Awards and the Screen Actors Guild Awards Hollywood stars oh-so-kindly
honoured each other.
Lindsay’s father hospitalised after chest pain
Troubled actress Lindsay Lohan’s
estranged father Michael was reportedly rushed to a hospital after
experiencing chest pain.
Michael was at a doctor’s office
in Newport Beach for a consultation about getting his nose fixed - a
nose which has been broken several
times over the years. When he complained of chest pain, the nurse took
his blood pressure which alarmed
her to call ambulance.
According to the report, his blood
pressure reading was 200/110. He
is currently being treated in Hoag
Hospital in Newport Beach.
Andrew Garfield finds
using chat-up lines
‘inappropriate and
crass’
Anthony Andrews, Geoffrey Rush, HelenaCarter, Colin Firth
Natalie Portman & Mila Kunis
When she accepted the award for Outstanding Performance by
a Female Actor in a Leading Role, Natalie Portman’s baby bump
was finally visible in Azzaro’s sparking white “jungle” gown, which
she paired with $2 million Tiffany & Co. yellow diamond earrings
and a Roger Vivier clutch. “I’ve been working since I was 11 years old,
and SAG has taken care of me,” she said. “They made sure that I got my
education while I was working, and I’m so grateful to have this union
protecting me every day.”
SofiaVergara
The Modern Family star looked stunning in a figure-hugging Roberto
Cavalli dress and Chopard jewels.
Keira Knightley
insists she’s no
bitch!
Actress Keira Knightley says
that her shyness is often mistaken for ‘bitchiness’. The ‘Pirates
of the Caribbean’ star admits
her fear of meeting people has
seen her labeled as cold.
Nominated for her supporting role in Black Swan, Mila Kunis
glowed in a bright red floral dress designed by Alexander McQueen. “It’s probably the most comfortable dress I’ve ever worn!” she told
News’ Giuliana Rancic.
Britney Spears ‘to open 53rd
Grammy Awards’
ber one hit single ‘Hold It Against Me’.
The “Womanizer” hitmaker - who is to release her
as yet untitled seventh studio album in March - is
to open the prestigious awards ceremony.
While the 29-year-old singer has been the subject of rumours surrounding the upcoming event
for some weeks, this is the first time an official
Grammys source has been able to confirm that
she will be opening the ceremony.
“One of my friends was like, ‘You
Britney won the 2005 Best Dance Recording
turn into an ice queen.What is it?
You turn into a bitch’,” she said.
Grammy for “Toxic”.
“I don’t mean to look like a bitch,
but I get completely paralysed with Britney Spears will reportedly open the 53rd
- ANI
shyness”.
Grammy Awards by performing on her new num-
‘The Social Network’ star Andrew
Garfield has said that he doesn’t like
to flirt with girls because he finds
using chat-up lines ‘inappropriate
and crass’.
The 27-year-old is in a relationship
with actress Shannon Woodward.
But he’s adamant if he was single
he would never approach women
in clubs for a date insisting using
pick-up lines on strangers kills the
“romance”.
“I’m terrible. I have absolutely no idea.
I’ve also always kind of baulked at the
concept of “the game”.You have all these
automaton men going into bars saying
the same lines, kind of half-insulting a
girl in the hope they’re going to sleep
with them,” he said.
“It’s just so inappropriate and crass and
it takes all the romance and mystery out
of courtship and out of meeting someone
and just sparking something. I always
just like to leave that stuff up to chance,”
he added.
Insight //
12
Bollywood
56 Filmfare Awards 2011 winners list
th
Shahid, the only
person Priyanka
thought of during raid
Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol won
the best actor and actress award
respectively for “My Name Is Khan”
at the 56th Filmfare Awards, which
was ruled by small budget movie
“Udaan” that bagged as many as
eight trophies.
for Manish Sharma, best debut actor male for Ranveer Singh and best
dialogue trophy for Habib Faisal.
But it’s the first-time director
Vikramaditya Motwane’s “Udaan”
that bagged maximum awards. The
film won the best screenplay and
the best story for Motwane and Anurag Kashyap; best cinematography
for Mahendra Shetty; best background score for Amit Trivedi; best
supporting actor male for Ronit
Roy; and best film (jury).
Farah Khan walked away with the
best choreography award for “Sheila
Ki Jawani” from her directorial venture “Tees Maar Khan”.
The best male singer award went to
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan for crooning
“Dil toh baccha hai ji” in “Ishqiya” and
the song also won best lyrics award
for Gulzar.
The sudden income tax raid at her
residence in Mumbai’s Versova area
and the presence of actor Shahid
Kapoor there was a double whammy for actress Priyanka Chopra.
“Udaan” also won the best director (jury) award for Motwane and
best sound design for Kunal Sharma. Pritam Das also won the same
award for “Love Sex Aur Dhokha”.
Vidya Balan got the best actress
(jury) award for playing a conniving and scheming woman in “Ishqiya”.
The actress, however, declined any
tax evasion, and said because Shahid stays at a stone’s throw from her
house, he was the only person she
could think of in such an unfortunate situation.
Habib Faisal’s directorial venture
“Do Dooni Chaar”, about a middleclass family, too bagged three
awards – best production design
Karan Johar walked away with the for Mukund Gupta; best costume
best director award for “My Name for Varsha and Shilpa; and Rishi
Is Khan”, while Salman Khan star- Kapoor walked away with the best
rer “Dabangg” was declared the best actor (jury) trophy for playing a
film at the gala event, hosted by mathematics teacher who goes
Ranbir Kapoor and Imran Khan. through various problems to buy a
The two were at their wittiest best. car.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan at the 56th Filmfare Awards
“Dabangg”, the most successful film
of 2010, won five awards including
best action for Vijayan Master; best
debutant female for Sonakshi Sinha; and best music for Sajid-Wajid
and Lalit Pandit.
Namrata Sharma won the best
female singer for “Munni” in “Dabangg” and shared it with Sunidhi
Chauhan, who won it for “Sheila ki
jawani” (“Tees Maar Khan”).
Light-hearted romantic film “Band
Baaja Baaraat” walked away with
three awards – best debut director
Kareena Kapoor walked away with
best supporting actress for “We Are
Family”.
Namrata Rao won the best editing
award for her work in Dibakar Banerjee’s experimental film “Love Sex
Aur Dhokha”.
Ninety-year-old legendary singer
Manna De got the lifetime achievement award, while Bollywood
megastar Amitabh Bachchan was
honoured for his forty years in
Hindi cinema and his so-called arch
rival Shah Rukh Khan gave him the
award.
Madhuri Dixit wants to open dance
schools worldwide
Her career took a backseat after her
wedding, but Bollywood’s dancing diva Madhuri Dixit is seriously
thinking about fulfilling her dream
of opening a chain of dance schools
across the world.
Katrina Kaif at the 56th Filmfare Awards 2011
“The only person who stays with me is
my mom, who was not present at home
and Shahid stays three minutes away
from my place. So he was the only person
I could call up then. So he was there,”
Priyanka said.
When asked about the reported
discovery of Rs.6 crore from her
residence, she said: “My Chartered
Accountant has given an official statement regarding that and personally my
spokesperson has given you an official
statement.”
“You believe in rumours when they run it
as front-page news, without checking its
authenticity. Neither you ask the accused
person whether the allegations are true
or not, nor do you substantiate it with
any paper work.”
“I don’t have an immediate, ready plan
to open my dance school, but I really
want to do something like that and
hopefully, god willing, I will do it,”
Madhuri said.
“I had never experienced anything like
this before. As far as the discovery of Rs.6
crore from my house, neither I had so
much of money under my mattress nor I
have seen so much of money together in
my life,” she said.
“The plans are in my head right now. It
will be multi-genre school where various
dance forms will be taught. I am speaking as if everything is ready… but it
is my dream. If I do it, it will be everywhere,” she added.
“As people say that it happens with big
stars. I still feel proud that I am counted
among the few highest tax paying bollywood stars and hope to be so as long God
continues to give me the opportunity,”
Priyanka said.
Insight //
13
Insight //
14
Councel
LEGAL ADVICE
Hiring a lawyer when you have low income
[email protected]
Not for quite this low… Lawyers are an essential part of society today, no matter what many people think about them. One
major problem that goes with needing a lawyer, though, is the fee. Lawyers are notorious for charging high fees, and potential clients with low income may be overwhelmed by the fee. Insight presents you a brief how-to on how to still get a lawyer
to help you, even if your pockets are less than deep.
Steps
1. Ask around your family. While
most people believe they know
their families or relatives quite
well, most do not. You never
know when a distant cousin or
uncle may have ended up becoming a lawyer, which you, of
course, can use to your advantage financially. If you are sure
you aren’t related to a lawyer,
though, it wouldn’t hurt to ask
your family all the same. Connections never hurt, and it is
possible that one of your relatives
knows someone.
2. Talk to your friends. This is
another way you can get lawyers
to work for you for less – the
“friend rate” is something some
lawyers implement for when a
close friend or colleague needs
aid in the lawyer-ly sense. If you
are not aware of a friend that is
a lawyer, though, you two probably aren’t very close, and so the
“friend rate” may be a bit too
much to ask.
4. Check a local law school to
see if they have a law clinic or
similar program that allows law
students (under supervision of a
licensed attorney) to work on behalf of low income clients. This is
actually a very good way to snap
up very promising law students
– while they may not have much
experience, the law students that
would be allowed to participate
in this type of program are normally about the top of the class.
It’s a good chance, so if you have
it, you shouldn’t throw it out the
window immediately.
5. Ask local lawyers for a “payment plan” of sorts. Explain your
situation to the lawyer in question, give him/her your financial
statement, and discuss what you
need to do. If they believe they
can lower their rate, or make it
so you pay a certain amount over
a certain amount of time, you
may be in luck.
you cannot pay the lenders back
any time soon. Be clear and upfront, and hopefully you’ll get
the money you need to get the
lawyer you desire.
7. Hold a yard sale. A slightly
obvious one, selling off your unused furniture and junk may be
the best way to afford a lawyer.
Don’t have enough junk to sell?
Ask a friend if they have anything
that you could sell, but be clear
as to why you want the items,
otherwise they may give you
something as a gift, not realising you are going to sell it off to
whomever has twenty bucks upfront.
8. Offer a trade. This is a rather
fun one – do you manage a restaurant, or own a small business that you know the lawyer
you want frequents? Offer free
food or service at your business
in return for helping you out
with your legal problem. While
many lawyers may be offended
6. Get a loan. This may be the by such an offer, others will deonly thing you can do in some light in the idea. If you don’t own
3. Find a volunteer lawyer. Most cases, especially if your life lit- the business in which you work,
areas have volunteer lawyer or- erally rests upon getting off the ask the person who does if this
ganisations or Legal Aid asso- charge. Try and ask family mem- plan could be permitted. It may
ciations, but keep in mind that bers for money and then branch be a stretch, and the lawyer may
these organisations have many off from there – only go to a pro- have to also do some extra work
eligibility requirements for their fessional money lender if no one for the business, but it is a rather
services. Also, there is a huge de- has a cent to spare anywhere at simple way to get a lawyer for
mand for a finite number of at- all. Keep in mind that this may no actual cash. This also works
lead to more legal troubles if if you have a semi-valuable item
torneys.
you have bad credit and know that you don’t really want in your
home; just skip the yard sale, and
offer a trade. This is a bit more
difficult to do with no cash, but
you may very well get a very
good discount if you give the
lawyer the semi-valuable item.
9. Hire on Contingency. Depending on what legal work you
need to do, you may be able to
get a lawyer to work on a contingency basis. This means that
you will not owe a lawyer fees
for services unless they win your
case. Generally trial lawyers for
Plaintiffs are willing to work
with this arrangement.
lawyer in the beginning, so you
can know what you’ll have to pay,
and by when. It’s best to have a
plan, especially when you are
short on money.
• If you are provided a lawyer
by the courts, even if you are
short on money, you may want
to look elsewhere. It may seem
like a swell deal at the time, but
court-appointed lawyers have
absolutely nothing to gain from
being attentive in court, and so,
more often than not, they underprepare.
Tips
• Offer to do as much of the necessary footwork as you can for
your volunteer lawyer (e.g. filing
papers in court, obtaining documents, performing large copy
jobs, etc.).
• Do not go to a lawyer that
promises that, if you don’t win
your case, you won’t have to pay
anything. The way that those lawyers make a profit is by, when
they do win something, anything
at all, even if it is just a tiny fraction of what you were asking for,
they charge you extremely high
rates to make up for the money
they’ve lost through other clients.
• Try and get a set rate with your
Warning
Going cheap when looking for a
lawyer is only a good idea if the
issue isn’t life threatening, or
has prison as a consequence of
poor work. If that isn’t the case,
though, you may be in a jam.
52 Monday Morning Stress Reduction Mantras
Here are 52 Monday morning stress reduction mantras –
one for each week of the year. I
choose one Mantra every Monday
morning and sit silently for a few
moments, repeating it slowly in
my mind as if I were meditating. I
also write the mantra on a post-it
note and stick it next to my computer monitor for the duration of
the week. This weekly ritual has
helped me reduce unnecessary
stress in my life by reminding me
to keep things simple and within
a reasonable perspective.
1. Everything I do is by choice.
There is always another option.
2. I will strive to be the best I
can be, but I will never try to be
someone I’m not.
3. I must keep dreaming. Wanting what I don’t think I can have
is the first step to making my
dreams a reality.
4. I won’t use where I’ve been
to justify where I am. I will use
where I am to jump-start where
I’m going.
5. Right now is the only guaranteed moment in my life. I will
make the best of it.
6. Think big. Start small. One
bite of the elephant at a time.
7. I will prioritize my obligations
and do the important things first.
8. I will not try to please everyone. I will simply do what I
know is right.
9. The more productive I am, the
luckier I will become.
10. There is nobody else exactly
like me, with my exact abilities,
talents and ideas.
11. I’m not supposed to have all
the answers.
12. Laughing, crying, joy and anger – all are vital, all make me
human.
13. I can’t change who I am. I
can only change what I know and
how I apply this knowledge.
14. I will slow down and become
conscious of life’s simple pleasures.
15. I will focus more on less. I
will get rid of stuff I do not use.
16. I will not try to read other
people’s minds. I will not make
other people try to read mine. I
will communicate effectively.
17. I can help myself by helping
those around me.
18. I will take ownership of my
actions so my actions never own
me.
19. Every person has a unique
definition of success. To me, success means…
20. I will never make decisions in
a state of emotional haste.
21. If I want to remember it, I
will write it down in a trusted
location.
22. I will do something today
that makes me happy.
23. Everyone doesn’t have to like
me and I don’t have to like everyone.
CONT PAGE 22
Insight //
15
Sports
Sports in our curriculum
By Yudish KUTWAROO
“Oooff… am tired sitting ment for two different sports to ensure that the students have
in that class, learning that activities namely, badminton and the necessary skills to organise
table tennis.
tournaments.
boring module...!”
“Practical assignments are like real
life situations and a very good experience for students...” said student
Pooja Ratti.
This famous statement is most of
the time used by UoM students.
But, it is not the case for the
second year students following
the course BSc (Hons) Tourism
Leisure & Recreational Management.
And according to student Kunal
Hurbungs, “UoM should encourage
After getting approval from the students to have practical assignments
In general, these students have a UoM Sports’ Unit, these young just like the written ones. I hope that
module in their curriculum on students divided their classmates we students would be concrete models
sports and leisure management. into two groups for the activi- for the future generations.”
As such, they have been given an ties. There was an organising
assignment in which they have team comprising of five students,
to organise a knock-out tourna- which monitored both activities
Matthias SINDELAR
The Wunderteam’s Paper Man
“Zischek scored twice, but Sindelar’s
goal was a masterpiece, which no-one
else - no-one before him, and noone after him - could possibly have
scored against opponents as good as
the English. Starting on the halfway
line, Sindelar set off and, in his inimitably elegant manner, dribbled
round everything which came at him,
finishing with a backheel and a shot
into the net,” noted Belgian referee
John Langenus, describing a goal
by Austria forward Matthias Sindelar in his country’s 4-3 defeat
by England in 1932.
Some 54 years would pass before
a certain Diego Maradona netted a comparably brilliant solo
effort against the Three Lions at
the 1986 FIFA World Cup Mexic, but the 1932 match official’s
gushing choice of words and obvious admiration offer a glimpse
of just how breathtaking the goal
in London must have been. It was
destined to be the finest strike in
the player’s illustrious career.
Sindelar was born almost exactly
29 years earlier, in the AustroHungarian village of Kozlau,
now in the modern-day Czech
Republic. He and his family soon
left the village for the courtly elegance of imperial capital Vienna.
The young Matthias grew up in
distinctly modest circumstances:
for their leisure-time kickabouts,
he and his friends had no real
football, using instead a Fetzenlaberl, a ball sewn together from
rags and scraps of cloth.
During his apprenticeship as a
locksmith he began looking for
a club to join, but it would be
two whole years before he began
playing organised football.
financial difficulties and players
had to be sold to raise funds.
“I thank the UoM Sports’
Unit” - Yudish Kutwaroo
After getting good results, good notes, good degrees, most of the
students congratulate and thanks their respective lecturers. BUT
IS IT ENOUGH? And what about those persons who contributed
directly or indirectly towards their good health on campus? Most
tend to forget the special role played by the UoM Sports’ Unit.
The Sports’ Unit of University of Mauritius is investing massively
so as to promote sports in the life of students on campus and
be healthier. With an exemplary head of UoM Sports Unit, Mr.
Kistamah, accompanied by his dynamic team comprising Mr. Oogarah, Mr. Balgobin, Mr. Ram, Mr. Moytub and ultimately Mr.
Premchand, students are now exposed to a wider variety of sports
activities – tir-à-larc, speedminton, football league, 5-a-side tournament, karate, gymnastic, meditation, aerobics, yoga and many
others. Indeed badminton and football remains the most famous
discipline at the UoM Gymnasium Complex.
The UoM Sports’ Unit has been and will always be a dear platform for UoM students contributing towards a healthy life and
creates good relationships between students and staffs on campus.
Big thanks to the UoM Sports’ Unit.
who had never been beaten before on continental European
soil. The victory marked the start
of the greatest sustained period
of success in Austrian footballing history, and the birth of the
‘Wunderteam’ (Wonder Team).
Sindelar opted to remain in Vienna and signed for Amateur
Sportvereinigung, who had just
At 16, he was discovered by a won the championship. After initeacher who specialised in scout- tial problems adapting to his new
ing young talent for a variety of club, the player hit his stride and Meisl’s men rattled up big vicclubs. Sindelar joined ASV Her- rapidly became a crowd-pleasing tories against Germany, Switzerland, France and Belgium,
tha, where he gained his initial hero.
although the highlight was reexperience of regular play in a
served for 24 April 1932, when
structured environment. His imthe Austrians thrashed arch-rivals
pressive displays in their youth
Hungary 8-2. The 29-year-old
section saw him promoted to
Sindelar scored a hat-trick, and
the first team at the age of 18, by
provided perfect lay-offs for the
which time he had already earned
other five goals.
the nickname ‘Papierene’ (Paper Man), due to his wafer-like
In the same year, Austria won the
build and his avoidance of physiCentral European International
cal contact on the field. Sindelar
Cup, a precursor to the modern
settled rapidly to the demands of
UEFA EURO. Sindelar, literthe Austrian championship and
began scoring regularly, earning The year 1925 brought a first ally a lightweight at 5ft 8ins and
first-choice status at his club the trophy in the shape of the Austri- 168lbs, was now captain of an
an Cup, and a runners-up medal extraordinarily successful team,
following season.
in the league. Sindelar and Co whose solitary defeat in the peThe prodigious talent suffered won the cup in 1927 and 1930, riod ended up feeling more like a
a setback in 1923, when he sus- but the league title was never a victory, and he became known as
tained a knee injury in a non realistic prospect in this period, ‘The Mozart of Football’.
football-related incident. The as Austria spent much of their
player feared the worst, but a time battling relegation. The It was early December 1932
successful operation performed only ray of light was provided by when the Austrians fell 4-3 to
by renowned surgeon Dr. Hans the gifted young forward, who England in London, but became
Spitzy ensured he was able to had by now become one of the the first team to score more than
resume his career. However, the most popular personalities in all once against the English on their
mishap merely strengthened Sin- Vienna. Sindelar made his senior home turf. That was the evendelar’s determination to shun the debut for his country in 1926 as ing including Sindelar’s wonder
physical side of the game, a style a 23-year-old, netting the winner goal for the ‘Wunderteam’, as so
which became his own unique in a 2-1 victory over Czechoslo- eloquently recorded by referee
vakia.
Langenus.
trademark.
New club and a
maiden trophy
Sindelar’s natural talent and dribbling skill soon became apparent, A year after his injury, the strikeven in the unpromising sur- er and Hertha parted company.
roundings of the Vienna streets. Relegation had left the club with
Birth of the Wunderteam
Mysterious & tragic death
In his first appearance after the
three years in the wilderness,
Sindelar fired Austria to a shock
5-0 triumph against Scotland,
After the Nazi occupation and
annexation in March 1938, Austrian football in its previous form
swiftly ceased to exist. Just two
months later, all professional
footballing contracts were cancelled and so-called Jewish clubs
forbidden, with Austria one of
those affected.
At the time, Sindelar purchased
a café by way of securing an alternative means of support and
repeatedly refused to play for
the post-Anschluss all-Germany
team managed by Sepp Herberger, despite a series of call-ups.
The player’s last game for Austria
Vienna, now restored to their
original name after a few enforced months as SC Ostmark
Vienna, was on 26 December
1938 and took place in Berlin.
Sindelar scored the last goal of
his extraordinary career in a 2-2
draw with Hertha BSC. On 23
January 1939, Matthias Sindelar
was found dead in his apartment,
officially of carbon monoxide
poisoning, although the circumstances remain mysterious and
unexplained to this day.
His passing deprived a city in turmoil of one of its favourite sons
and idols. Some 15,000 citizens
accompanied Sindelar’s cortege
to the main cemetery in Vienna,
where an act of remembrance is
still performed every year on the
day of his death.
Insight //
16
Transferts
TENNIS
Le gros coup Torres, les petits coups au Real Madrid
Le transfert record de Fernando Torres de Liverpool à Chelsea a conclu un mercato hivernal
animé par les buteurs (avec Suarez et Dzeko), l’Angleterre et l’AC Milan, et qui a cristallisé la
lutte d’influence au Real Madrid autour de Jose Mourinho et de la venue d’Adebayor.
La Premier League s’est montrée de loin la
plus active en dépensant plus de 230 millions d’euros pendant ce mercato d’hiver,
contre seulement 34 millions l’année dernière.
de 24 ans était le capitaine de l’Ajax Amsterdam où il avait marqué la saison dernière 35 buts en 33 matches de championnat!
tôt que prévu... Les autres clubs espagnols
ont été peu actifs, après l’arrivée du jeune
espoir néerlandais Ibrahim Afellay au FC
Barcelone fin 2010.
Manchester City aussi s’est renforcé en
Cinquante-huit millions d’euros: c’est le attirant, contre 32 M EUR, le Bosnien
nouveau record en Angleterre pour un Edin Dzeko (Wolfsburg), meilleur butransfert, celui de l’Espagnol Torres des teur du Championnat allemand la saison
Reds aux Blues. Arrivé à l’été 2007 à Liver- dernière avec 22 buts. Les Citizens ont en
pool, où il a marqué 76 buts en 135 match- revanche laissé partir Emanuel Adebayor,
es, le Kid de 26 ans a signé pour cinq ans qui n’entrait plus dans les plans de Roberto
et demi à Chelsea. Son arrivée est aussi un Mancini.
message envoyé à Didier Drogba (32 ans).
Et le Togolais est passé au Real Madrid.
En engageant également le très coté défen- Le recrutement d’un buteur était ardemseur central brésilien de Benfica David Luiz ment réclamé par Jose Mourinho, dont les
pour 25 M EUR, le propriétaire du club relations avec le Français Karim Benzema
londonien, Roman Abramovitch, a sorti (unique attaquant valide après la blessure
son premier gros chèque depuis deux ans, longue durée de Gonzalo Higuain) sont
afin de galvaniser une équipe 4e de son aigre-douces. La direction du club, notamchampionnat, à dix points du leader et à ment le directeur sportif Jorge Valdano, ne
quatre points du podium.
voyait pas l’utilité d’un tel achat, mais a finalement acté le prêt d’Adebayor.
Liverpool a cédé son joyau mais a aussitôt réinvesti sur deux autres buteurs, Mourinho a remporté ce bras de fer mais
l’athlétique Andy Carroll (11 buts avec la guerre froide se confirme entre lui et
Newcastle) pour 37 M EUR, et surtout Valdano. Si bien que l’entraîneur portugais
Luis Suarez (26,5 M EUR). L’Uruguayen a déjà évoqué un retour en Angleterre plus
C’est en Italie que les choses ont bougé,
surtout du côté de l’AC Milan. Le leader
de Serie A a enclenché un changement de
cycle avec les arrivées de joueurs de caractère comme Mark Van Bommel (Bayern
Munich), Antonio Cassano (Sampdoria)
et Urby Emanuelson (Ajax). Et le départ
de Ronaldinho, à la destination brésilienne
longtemps fluctuante, et finalement débarqué à Flamengo.
L’Inter Milan, qui doit rattraper le temps
perdu sous l’ère Benitez, s’est attaché les
services de Giampaolo Pazzini (Sampdoria). Et le “Fou” a aussitôt justifié son transfert en marquant un doublé avant d’obtenir
un penalty samedi contre Palerme (3-2) !
C’est resté calme en Allemagne, où le Bayern a fait signer Luiz Gustavo, milieu défensif
prometteur en provenance d’Hoffenheim,
club qui s’est offert l’attaquant néerlandais
Ryan Babel (Liverpool).
Sports
Rafael Nadal,
blessé à la cuisse,
au repos pendant
dix jours
Le numéro un mondial du tennis, l’Espagnol Rafael Nadal, s’est
blessé à la cuisse droite et souffre
d’une déchirure musculaire qui va
l’obliger à se soigner pendant une
dizaine de jours, a annoncé le site
internet du joueur.
“Rafa” Nadal, battu en quarts de finale de l’Open d’Australie par son
compatriote David Ferrer, souffre
d’une “déchirure du muscle long adducteur de la cuisse droite”, confirmée
après une série d’examens.
FIFA/COCA-COLA WORLD RANKING
Japan shoot 17th as Asians soar
As expected, the AFC Asian Cup
Qatar 2011 has had a significant
impact on the latest edition of the
FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking.
“Les médecins estiment la période récupération à environ dix jours, à partir
d’aujourd’hui 1er février”, poursuit le
communiqué en précisant que Nadal sera soigné par des anti-inflammatoires, des massages et des exercices d’étirements.
Le joueur serait donc en mesure
de participer au tour éliminatoire
de la Coupe Davis avec l’équipe
d’Espagne face à la Belgique, du 4
au 6 mars à Charleroi.
There are no changes at the summit of the
global ladder, but Japan (17th, up 12), who
became continental champions for a fourth
time in Doha, have re-entered the top 20
after an absence of almost five years. Fittingly, the Samurai Blue are now the highest-ranked Asian team as well as being the
third team – after hosts Brazil and world
champions Spain – to qualify for the FIFA
Confederations Cup in 2013.
Japan’s narrowly defeated opponents in the
Qatar 2011 final, Australia (21st, up 5), as
well as the losing semi-finalists Korea Re-
public (32nd, up 7) and this month’s highest climbers Uzbekistan (77th, up 31), have
obtained their reward in terms of places
and points. Other Asian teams on an upward trajectory include Iran (44th, up 21),
Jordan (84th, up 23), Iraq (88th, up 10)
and Qatar (90th, up 15).
Due to the significant devaluation of the
points won a year ago at the CAF Africa
Cup of Nations, many teams have slid down
the rankings this month. African champions Egypt (33rd, down 23), Nigeria (40th,
down 8) and Algeria (55th, down 19) have
lost the most ground, but several others
have also taken a tumble.
Thanks to their victories in the qualification matches for the CONCACAF Gold
Cup 2011, Honduras (39th, up 17), Costa Four teams, Honduras, Iran, South Africa
Rica (48th, up 21) and El Salvador (98th, and Costa Rica, have made the leap into the
up 18) are also heading in the right direc- top 50 this month.
tion.
Nadal, vainqueur de Roland-Garros, Wimbledon et de l’US Open
l’an dernier, n’est pas parvenu à
réaliser le Grand Chelem sur deux
saisons, après sa défaite la semaine
dernière face à Ferrer.
Le numéro un mondial au classement ATP, devant le suisse Roger
Federer, avait confié s’être fait “une
petite déchirure musculaire” à la cuisse,
au tout début de cette rencontre.
Insight //
17
HOW I TRAIN : FITNESS FOR THE EVERYPERSON
Health & Fitness
By Arshaad M.
I don’t train to lose weight or look good. I don’t train to beat anyone or impress anyone. I don’t train for bigger muscles or a six-pack. I train because
I love it. And because it’s my life…
As I said last month: I am in the
best shape in my life. That’s not
impressive - while I’m fitter than
most of the population there are
a ton of people who are way fitter than me. They can run faster
and longer; lift more and do
more intense workouts; ride and
swim much much better; play
any sport better than me.
But I’m pretty fit. I can run for a
couple hours if I want or hike all
day. I can do a reasonable amount
of pushups and pull-ups. I can
sprint and jump. Best of all: I can
play with my kids and keep up
with them and challenge them to
keep up with me (I usually win).
I say this not to brag but only to
show that it’s possible. Because
just five years ago I was in terrible shape: I was 30 kilograms
heavier and couldn’t run for
more than 10 minutes. I was a
smoker and ate junk food and
never exercised. The most activity I got was lifting a beer to my
mouth or walking to the fridge.
I’ve turned it around - and if you
too are a couch potato with more
than a couple pounds to lose then
so can you. I’m no superhuman I’m a regular guy, like you. How
did I do it? Read on.This is a brief
guide not for those who want to
walk exactly in my footsteps but
for those looking for useful information.
Last month I wrote about my
diet. This week I’ll share my exercise program.
What I do
I’m generally a minimalist and
a maximalist when it comes to
exercise. A minimalist in that
I don’t believe you need much
(or any) equipment to get fit; a
maximalist in that I’ll do almost
anything and everything.
So a bodybuilder might scoff at
runners who run long and slow
and have no muscle and a runner
might scoff at a bodybuilder who
lifts iron every day but has a big
gut. A Crossfitter might scoff at
others who don’t go as intense as
they do while a triathlete might
sneer at those who can’t go as
long.
I agree with all of them except I
don’t scoff at anyone.
I run but I also bike (and used to
swim a bit but haven’t recently).
I will lift weights but I’ll also do
intense bodyweight exercise. I
walk a very lot. I’ll throw sandbags around; do pullups from
tree branches; do sprints; race
my cousins up hills; hike on
trails; push sleds; do a pushup
challenge (100 pushups in 5 minutes is a good one) or a jumping
lunge challenge (see how fast you
can do 300); swing kettlebells;
play basketball or soccer; or just
generally play with my cousins.
automatically updated workout
log (and by “automatically updated” I mean that I change the
html document by hand coding
it and then manually upload it to
my server).
My month of crossfit
In January I joined my friend
Riaad in doing workouts with
Modern Crossfit. We took a basics course three days a week for
two weeks and that was tough.
Then we did two weeks of the
regular Crossfit classes and that
was killer!
If you’re not familiar with Crossfit: they are crazy. They do intense short workouts of functional movements - burpees
and barbell thrusters and pullups and sled pushing and running 400 meters and box jumps
I’ve also run several marathons and throwing a medicine ball up
and have done short triathlons. against a wall and barbell deadI’ve run many shorter races: half lifts and kettlebell swings and any
marathons and 10Ks and 5Ks and other crazy things the coach can
some crazy stuff in between.
think of.
So if you’re looking for a specific
program from me… I don’t have
one. I make it up as I go and just
have fun doing it.
It’s not for the faint of heart. I
loved it. We’ll probably do more
classes but I plan to mix other
things in as well.
But some general tips:
How I got here
• The most important thing for
me is to have fun.
• Next is that I stay active on
most days.
• Third is that I rest whenever I
need it and not feel guilty - rest
is good.
• I will often make fitness a social
activity: hike with a friend or do
Crossfit with another friend or
do a Bodyrock.tv workout with
my girlfriend (the videos are…
wonderful).
• Challenges are also fun. Find a
challenge online and give it a try.
Do a challenge with your friend
or girlfriend or a group.
• I like to mix it up. If I only do
one kind of activity then I only
have one kind of fitness. Also
only doing one thing gets boring
for me.
• If you like you can checkout my
I am doing workouts now that
I couldn’t have done five years
ago. If you haven’t been working
out regularly I don’t recommend
you do them. Start out easy.
I started by running for half a
mile. It was hard. But I did it
every other day for a couple of
weeks and soon I could do a mile
then two miles. And soon I began
to enjoy it.
That’s the key: get your shoes on
and get out the door. Then focus
on the parts that are enjoyable.
those. Find a challenge and do
that with friends.
• Start small. If you kill yourself in the beginning then you’ll
dread doing it and you’ll eventually quit. If you make it easy then
you’ll have no excuse.
• Build gradually. After starting
small you can slowly increase
your time exercised or intensity.
Don’t do both at the same time.
You might get enthusiastic and
want to increase quickly - that’s
a newbie mistake and often leads
to overtraining or injury. You’re
in this for the long haul.
• Don’t forget to rest. Recovery
from training is a huge component of training. Most people
(myself included) tend to overtrain and rest too little. Again:
that leads to overtraining and injury. I’ve done it and it sucks.
• Log your progress. This is not
absolutely necessary but… well
actually it is. If you don’t log
your progress you won’t see the
progress. It’s hugely motivating to look back on your workout log and see how far you’ve
come. If you stick with it for a
few months or longer you’ll see
tremendous improvement. That
feels amazing. You’ll also be able
to see what you’ve done wrong
- if you’ve over-trained then the
logs will make that obvious.
• If it’s not enjoyable: find a friend
to do it with and have a conversation. All you have to do is walk
Next steps
briskly or play a sport you enjoy.
You don’t have to run. If you enjoy swimming or soccer then do If you’re a beginner: I recom
mend you follow the advice in
the above section. Start small
and increase gradually and make
it enjoyable and social. Watch
yourself make progress.
After that I suggest you mix it
up and challenge yourself in new
ways all the time. Fitness can be
incredibly fun. Do a race or join
a class or do a group challenge.
Find a variety of workout partners and enjoy the conversation
and competition.
Some of my
favorite resources:
• Bodyrock.tv: Great workouts
and beautiful videos.
• Crossfit: Intense stuff. I recommend you use the “Brand X
Scaled Workouts” in the “Start
Here” section in the sidebar of
the site. This is a forum where
each workout of the day (WOD)
is scaled to different levels. Start
at the lower level and move up
gradually.
• Ross Training: Excellent allaround fitness as well as instructions for making homemade
cheap workout equipment.
• Mark’s Daily Apple: I don’t
agree with all of his nutrition
info but his workout advice is excellent.
Insight //
18
Tech & Net
La robotique, prochain moteur de la
croissance économique ?
Ensemble, Nokia et Microsoft veulent reconquérir les smartphones
C’est en France que se tiendra le premier salon
européen de la robotique. Lyon accueille cet événement du 23 au 25 mars 2011.
Les chiffres du marché de la robotique donnent le tournis. Le
nombre de robots déjà vendus
dans le monde atteint les 8,7 millions, qu’ils soient ménagers ou
à vocation de divertissement. Le
produit des ventes de ces robots
représente plus de seize milliards de dollars, en cumul sur les
huit précédentes années. Si l’on
en croit les projections fournies
par l’International Federation
of Robotic, le parc de robots
devrait doubler d’ici à 2013. “On
s’achemine vers des taux de croissance
à trois chiffres”, prévoit Bruno
Bonnell, président du Syrobo. À
l’horizon 2020, le marché mondial pourrait atteindre 100 milliards de dollars annuels. À titre
d’exemple, 1 000 aspirateursrobots ont été vendus en France
en 2006, contre plus de 100 000
en 2010.
génieurs formés aux technologies de
l’information et de la communication
(TIC), un tissu de start-up innovantes
et un soutien public à l’innovation,
comme Oséo.”
Marché gadget ou durable ?
Si robot a longtemps rimé avec
gadget, fantasme ou savant fou,
le marché de la robotique devrait
rapidement dépasser le stade du
jouet auquel il est trop souvent
associé. Nous arrivons à un moment où la technologie est compréhensible et peut être montrée.
Le président du Syrobo explique:
“Le Bi-Bop avait ses limites, mais le
portable d’aujourd’hui n’existerait
pas si la téléphonie mobile n’était
pas passée par l’étape Bi-Bop. Nous
en sommes au stade du Bi-Bop. Nous
allons assister à un boom internet
multiplié par 10.”
des activités humaines. Un autre
axe qui pourrait profiter de ces
progrès est le vieillissement de la
population. Le gain de productivité, le développement durable
et la qualité de la vie font partie
des objectifs possibles de la robotique.
Pratique
La première édition du salon
Inno-Robo sera accessible aux
chercheurs, distributeurs, investisseurs, journalistes ou étudiants. Un cycle de conférences
La recherche française, pub- Le marché de la robotique devra et des démonstrations de prolique comme privée, peut, si elle répondre aux besoins d’un totypes ponctueront ces trois
s’organise, jouer un rôle impor- monde urbanisé avec ses prob- jours. Le Point, partenaire du
tant sur ce marché. “Nous dispo- lématiques de gestion de flux salon, vous fera suivre cet événesons en France de véritables atouts, d’énergie, de transports, de dé- ment en direct.
poursuit Bruno Bonnell, avec des chets... Autant de problèmes qui
centres de recherche reconnus, des in- ne peuvent plus être gérés par
Les jeux vidéo du moment
INSIGHT vous propose de découvrir deux titres qui ont fait l’actualité de
ces derniers jours.
Mario vs Donkey Kong :
Pagaille à mini-land !
de monde, un combat, toujours sur le même
principe, vous oppose à Donkey Kong. Si le
jeu n’apporte pas beaucoup d’évolution par
rapport aux anciennes versions, il saura comAvec un concept qui a déjà fait recette sur bler les amateurs du genre. D’autant plus
GameBoy Advance et par deux fois sur DS, qu’à la centaine d’énigmes qu’offre le titre
Nintendo nous ressort un nouvel épisode de un éditeur de niveau vous permet de vous esson jeu de puzzle où vous devrez résoudre une sayer à la création de casse-tête, échangeables
succession de casse-tête. Dans chaque niveau, par la suite en ligne.
il faut amener les Minis, sortes d’automate à
l’effigie du plombier de Nintendo ou des difTron Evolution
férents personnages de la série, à leurs portes
assignées. Les jouets ne sont pas dirigeables,
ils ne font qu’avancer, vous devez alors interagir sur des éléments du décor, tels que des
poutres, des ressorts ou des tapis roulants,
pour que les Minis arrivent tous sains et
saufs. La gestion du timing sera donc déterminante, car dès qu’une marionnette passe la
sortie, les autres doivent suivre rapidement
avant que celle-ci ne se referme. À chaque fin
C’est maintenant une habitude : quand un
film, qui touche de près ou de loin la culture
vidéoludique, sort dans les salles obscures,
son adaptation sur consoles ne manque pas.
C’est cette semaine le cas de Tron Evolution,
dont l’intrigue fait le pont entre le premier
opus de 1982 et celui qui sera projeté à partir
de demain dans les cinémas. Plutôt original
En difficulté sur le marché des mobiles nouvelle génération, le numéro un mondial du mobile s’est rallié au
numéro un mondial du logiciel.
Le marché des smartphones est en ébullition. Ce que tout le
monde attendait s’est enfin produit : Nokia s’est allié à un géant pour enrayer sa chute. Grâce à Microsoft et à son système
d’exploitation Windows Phone 7, le finlandais espère bien retrouver la santé. Depuis l’arrivée de l’iPhone (Apple), des BlackBerry
(RIM) et des Android (Google), l’ex-leader sur ce secteur perd
du terrain. Le groupe, qui reste numéro un mondial du mobile
grâce à sa position sur l’entrée et le moyen de gamme, n’arrive
pas à maintenir ses positions sur le haut de gamme.
En utilisant Windows Phone 7 “comme système principal”, Nokia
va pouvoir s’appuyer sur la force de frappe marketing du géant du
logiciel. Mais il prend aussi un risque, car Microsoft n’est pas non
plus en position de force. Redmond essaie d’imposer son système
d’exploitation, sur un marché qui lui a échappé au profit de ces
mêmes groupes qui inquiètent Nokia.
Stephen Elop, nouveau P-DG de Nokia, avait préparé le terrain
il y a quelques jours en envoyant un message à ses employés,
dans lequel il annonçait “un virage stratégique”. Pour le constructeur, qui développe jusqu’à présent ses propres logiciels dans un
souci d’indépendance, le traumatisme risque d’être important.
Le système d’exploitation maison, Symbian, largement répandu,
et MeeGo, qui était pressenti pour lui succéder, pourraient ne pas
y survivre.
comme scénario qui nous épargne la simple transposition de l’histoire en jeu vidéo,
mais malheureusement, c’est la seule vraie
réussite de cet épisode. Si l’univers du film
est bien retranscrit, les combats de disques
manquent de dynamisme pour réveiller les
joueurs entre deux phases d’action très linéaires. Anon, personnage principal casqué, a
bien des airs de Prince of Persia en courant
de mur en mur et en escaladant les obstacles
avec agilité, mais jamais il ne rivalise avec
la grâce du maître du genre. Pire, la maniabilité est souvent hasardeuse et n’arrête pas
les mauvais tours une fois le héros lancé dans
une épopée aérienne. Si l’on ajoute des graphismes fidèles à l’oeuvre originale mais très
monotones, le jeu devient très moyen. Seuls
les fans absolus de l’univers Tron sauront
lui trouver un intérêt supérieur, les autres
l’oublieront très vite.
Google accuse
Bing de copier
ses résultats
Le moteur de recherche de
Microsoft reprendrait avec
quelques semaines de retard
les résultats du numéro un
mondial.
Google a expliqué avoir remarqué cette contrefaçon en
traquant sur Bing les résultats d’une recherche à partir
d’un mot mal orthographié :
“torsorophy” au lieu de “tarsorrhaphy” (tarsorraphie, une
opération de chirurgie ophtalmique).
Insight //
19
Debate
C ities
This house believes that
restricting the growth of
cities will improve quality of life.
Just over half the world’s population now call cities home. Soon some 500 cities around the world will have more than 1m
people each.Within a couple of decades, says the UN, 5 billion people will live in cities, with the most rapid rise in the number of urban dwellers coming in Asia and Africa. Urbanisation typically comes, in the long term, with great gains to human
development: it helps to create wealth, spur innovation, encourage freedom and improve the education of those who make it
to town. But the rapid spread of sprawling, ill-planned mega cities, the rise of slums that are home to millions of the poor, the
dreadful pollution and congestion common to many fast-growing cities, the rising power of urban gangs and even paramilitary forces in some countries, all suggest that too-rapid growth can harm, as well as improve, the residents’ quality of life. So
should, and could, the growth of cities be restricted, and by whom? Would restrictions improve the lives of city dwellers—and
what of the lives of those left outside the city walls?
faults, represented hope.
The moderator’s
opening remarks
Adam Roberts
Thirty years ago my grandfather,
Robert Roberts, wrote a book,
“The Classic Slum”, which told of
his life growing up, in Edwardian
times, in Salford, a slum on the
edge of Manchester. Five years
ago, as a correspondent based in
Africa, I edited a book, “Soweto
Inside Out”, about Soweto, the
enormous township on the edge
of Johannesburg, South Africa’s
main industrial city. What struck
me were the similarities between
the two places - Salford and
Soweto - even though they were
divided by thousands of miles
and a hundred years.
Each was a magnet drawing migrants, local and foreign, seeking
work, anonymity, a measure of
liberty, a chance to travel or get
educated, to make life richer for
their children. Yet both booming
places had suffered acute, and
similar, problems - overcrowding, crime, ill health, poverty, bad
transport, poor housing, abuse of
children. Such miseries blighted
the lives of many who got there.
Yet such urban areas, for all their
the costs of rapid growth, at least
in the short term, may be just
Today, the world’s cities con- too high.
tinue to draw millions to them,
at a pace that would bewilder The UN has suggested that air
those who lived in industrialis- pollution in China (mostly in its
ing Europe, or in southern Africa cities) may cause the premature
a hundred years ago. I now live deaths of 400,000 people every
in India, where emerging mega year. Pollution is similarly deadly
cities - Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, in India. Communicable diseases
Bangalore - are bursting with - such as cholera, AIDS, malaria,
many millions of people, a great dengue - may be especially easy
proportion of them recent ar- to pass on in the slums of big citrivals, many living in unplanned ies. And any increase in extreme
areas and slums. In China, too, weather (storms, floods and the
huge cities, especially along the like) and a rise in the level of the
eastern coast, have been erupt- sea will affect those living on
ing, swollen by millions of inter- the coast in particular: note that
nal migrants.
many new mega cities are on or
near a coast.
Just over half the world’s population now call cities home, though How then to balance the benefits
for many a city means a slum. of urbanisation against the costs?
Soon some 500 cities around In our debate we need to get
the world will have more than some things clear. Can the prob1m people each. Within a cou- lems of fast-growing mega cities
ple of decades, says the UN, 5 be tackled in the short term, or
billion people will live in cities, is it better to wait until everyone
with the most rapid change com- gets richer? Is it the job of naing in Asia and Africa. Urbanisa- tional, local or city governments,
tion should bring great gains to or of residents, or even private
human development: creating companies to try? Is restricting
wealth, spurring innovation, en- the growth of cities a smart recouraging freedom and improv- sponse? Is it even possible, at least
ing education. But with for many in democracies where freedom
- from Lagos to Nairobi to Mum- of movement is not restricted?
bai - lacking sanitation or hous- And whose quality of life should
ing, without clean piped water, we care about: those inside the
suffering from chronic pollution, city walls only, or those left be-
hind on the farms and villages? If
slum dwellers - for all the filth are wealthier and healthier than
villagers, whose job is it to keep
them out?
them. To make the case for restricting cities, however, we need
to think about how restrictions
might work. Some cities try to
limit the increase of traffic, some
limit building. In some countries
Our two contributors have made alternative developments - new
their opening statements. Chetan towns and cities built elsewhere,
Vaidya, director of the National capitals that are shifted - are set
Institute of Urban Affairs in India, up to draw people away from the
opposes our motion. He argues mega cities. Are such attempts
that cities bring great benefits to worthwhile?
humans, and as for problems, it
is far from clear how the growth Over the next two weeks, we
of cities can be restricted. He will have the chance to debate
calls instead for “well-managed” such issues and more.
cities. I would encourage some
explanation of what this could
The proposer’s
mean - might a well-managed
opening remarks
city be precisely one in which
unchecked growth is prevented?
Paul James
If authorities have the means to
manage cities, could they not
stop growth in the first place?
Supporting the motion is Paul
James, director of the Global
Cities Institute at RMIT University in Australia. He suggests
that sprawling and bloated cities, mega cities with their slums,
will be unable to give humans
the best quality of life - a term
that he helpfully offers to define
as a life with “complex and rich
relationships between people”.
But he also concedes that it is
easier to wish for restrictions on
the size of cities than to achieve
Director, Global Cities Institute,
RMIT and Director, UN Global
Compact, Cities Programme
Humans are spreading across
the planet in a way that is unsustainable. And cities, the places
where most humans now live,
are becoming bigger and more
voracious exploiters of space
than ever before. There is now a
concept for it: urban sprawl. At
the beginning of the 20th century, “sprawling” was what people
would do when they stretched
Insight //
20
Debate
their bodies in a careless manner.
However, by the middle of the
century, a new connection had
been made between the words
“urban” and “sprawl”. It was as if
too many home-owners had become a bit careless and spread
themselves across the peri-urban
divide, spilling into the once fertile fields beyond the city walls.
Nobody was to blame.
There are minor counter-examples to this trend such as the
rust-belt cities of America, and
there are metropolitan regions
that have complicated variable
boundaries, such as the City of
London versus Greater London,
which make simple comparisons
difficult, but it general the trend
is towards burgeoning growth. In
1900, Mexico City had a popuWhatever the cause, and whoever lation of 400,000; now it is over
is responsible, cities are sprawl- 20m. Istanbul had a population
ing across the landscape, consum- of 950,000; now it is over 10m.
ing their own hinterlands, laying In 1950, New York was the only
concrete over prime agricultural city with more than 10m people;
zones, and completely recreating now there are 25 mega cities acthe natural environment as an cording to the usual definition.
artifice of brick, steel, concrete,
bitumen, borders and shrubber- None of those mega cities appear
ies. In a typical sprawling city, bi- in the top 10 of the major indices
tumen has been poured across a of the world’s most liveable citfifth of the total land area, just to ies, and of the 20 cities that apfacilitate the movement of cars. pear regularly in that top 10, the
largest is Toronto, entering the
Sprawl, the relatively unbounded list of the world’s largest cities
extension of buildings and infra- at number 46. The next largest is
structure across the landscape, Sydney at number 80.
has become a way of life. It is
associated with a dependency Of course, it is not metropolitan
on cars, massive increases in living, suburbanisation, or even
resource-use, the fragmentation the human shift to the predomiof community and a more costly nance of city over rural dwelling
mode of living - all without nec- that are the principal problems
essarily improving the quality of per se. Living in compact, wellplanned, walkable and integrated
life.
cities is part of the solution to the
Over the past few decades this issue of global sustainability. The
has become expensive, environ- problem is rather the kind of citmentally damaging and time- ies that we tend to create: sprawlconsuming as work, leisure and ing and bloating. In the global
home life have been increasingly south we see the worst of those
separated and stretched apart. excesses, with the burgeoning of
Urban commuters in New York, hinterland slums, increasing at
London, Melbourne and Vancou- 6m people per annum.
ver spend significantly more time
negotiating traffic congestion I thus want to argue that restrictthan they do in an activity that is ing the growth of cities - in the
as basic to life as eating with fam- sense of limiting their sprawling
ily and friends - and the situation and bloating - will, overall, imis much worse in São Paulo, Bo- prove the quality of life for hugotá, Los Angeles and Bangkok. mans on this planet. This is easier
to say than to achieve in practice.
The tragic irony is that sprawl is Ideologies of growth, dynamism,
created by people seeking a bet- freedom and a borderless world
ter quality of life. We seek the vi- continue to dominate discussions
brancy of the city and the space of what is necessary and good.
of the village, and in doing so we But if “quality of life” means enare destroying both. Developers hancing the depth, complexity
clamber to make money by ca- and richness of the relationship
tering for our desires, and politi- between humans and nature, and
cians are afraid that legislating for the relations between ourselves
urban condensation, including and others, then developing the
through fixing urban boundaries, conditions for well-planned and
will drive up property prices and more compact cities is part of the
make them less popular with as- answer.
pirational home-buyers.
There are many suggestions for
If sprawling is the first meta-is- enhancing urban quality of life.
sue in relation to the problem of As a first step we should negoever-growing cities, then there tiate the end of urban sprawl by
is a second meta-issue for which defining a city’s boundaries as
we still do not have a specific a fixed zone between city and
word: cities are demographically countryside and treating this as
exploding with increased num- more than a momentary haltbers of people living in contigu- ing of the expansion. Imagine a
boundary to the city - some Euous metropolitan zones.
ropean cities have them - where
the suburbs are edged by permanent forests and grasslands
for leisure use, and by agricultural land for feeding the city.
Imagine a series of compact and
dense urban centres, punctuated
by parks and threaded by bicycle and walking paths that give
easy access for work and leisure.
It might or might not make us
happier, but studies suggest that
overall we would be healthier,
more engaged and less timepoor, and have a smaller environmental footprint.
The opposition’s
opening remarks
Chetan Vaidya
Director, National Institute of
Urban Affairs, India
For the first time in our history,
more than half of the human
population is living in urban areas. It is clear that urbanisation is
inevitable, and countries need to
improve their urban infrastructure and governance to enhance
productivity and create jobs.
Trends suggest that the concentration of population in large urban agglomerations will increase
in future, leading to formidable
problems of governance and service delivery. Restricting city
growth is suggested as one of the
approaches to manage this problem. I strongly oppose this on
the following grounds: urban agglomeration provides opportunities for innovation and reducing
costs; provision of urban services
is not a function of city size but
of co-ordination of different services; clustering of economic activities stimulates economic development; linking land use with
public transport is more effective
for sustainable and inclusive development. Above all, good urban governance is crucial.
Cities are pools of skill, capital,
information and, most importantly, innovation. Urbanisation
promotes agglomeration economies, thus reducing the costs of
production and services. Academic literature suggests that
doubling city size will hugely increase productivity. Larger cities
permit greater specialisation and
allow more complementarities
in production; they also facilitate learning within and across
industries and sectors, as well
as sharing and risk pooling. Agglomeration economies rely on
basic infrastructure provision;
inadequate infrastructure provision leads to diseconomies of
scale that reduce the growth po-
tential of a city. Thus urban strategy should focus on managing
infrastructure provision rather
than city growth.
policies should focus on making
public transport systems more
attractive to use; the challenge is
to provide a high-quality service
at an affordable price. There is an
A city needs a number of servic- increasing realisation that to bees such as water supply, waste- come sustainable and inclusive,
water disposal, urban transport, cities need to improve public
electricity, etc. Provision of ur- transport and its integration with
ban transport could be classified land use.
into three groups. Smaller cities
could have bicycles, buses and Good urban governance forms
paratransit vehicles. Exclusive the backbone of city growth.
bus, light rail and tram systems Empowering city governments
would be suitable for medium- functionally and financially, cousize cities (1-1.5m population). pled with high levels of accountaLarge cities (2m and above) bility and transparency, is crucial
would, in addition, require mass- for the sustainable growth of all
transit systems such as under- cities. This automatically transground and suburban railways. lates to improved and efficient
Services such as water supply service provision.
distribution, water and solid
waste collection and roads could Thus, rather than restricting city
be provided in an incremental growth, urban strategy should
manner, but bulk water systems, focus on harnessing the benefits
waste-treatment plants and so of urban growth by managing
on require a minimum city size. it well, ensuring improved and
None these services has an opti- equitable service provision and
mum city size. What is important promoting good governance.
is co-ordination in delivery of all Planners of sustainable and inclusive cities need to review urservices.
ban planning practices and apMany countries have tried to proaches, be aware of resource
control city growth without suc- constraints, and identify innovacess; others have advocated the tive approaches that are more
use of urban-led strategies for responsive to current and future
economic and social develop- urbanisation challenges.
ment. For example, China has
invested heavily in urban infrastructure and services in selected
coastal cities and regions, special
economic zones (SEZs) and export processing zones. In India,
the Jawaharlal Nehru National
Urban Renewal Mission has earmarked funds to augment urban
infrastructure and services in
65 cities, and the government is
supporting the establishment of
SEZs. In Malaysia, the government has pursued a clustered cities development strategy around
Kuala Lumpur. In the Philippines,
the government is developing the
Manila region by supporting cities around metropolitan Manila
and setting up SEZs. These strategies, using city clusters as the
• Vous êtes passionné par
leading edge for urban-region
l’actualité;
growth, constitute an important
• Ce qui se passe autour de
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Business cluster development
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can be a way of stimulating urban
de l’anglais et/ou du français ;
and regional economic growth.
Recrutement
Most cities in developing countries face urban transport problems that affect people’s mobility
and thus economic growth.These
problems are caused by an imbalance in modal split; inadequate
transport infrastructure and its
suboptimal use; weak integration
between land use and transport
planning; and inadequate public transport, which encourages
a shift to personalised modes
of transport. Urban transport
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Dans le cadre de son expansion, Insight Media Group
recrute des Rédacteurs et Directeur Artistique.
Envoyez votre lettre de candidature par courrier électronique à l’adresse suivante si cela
vous intéresse:
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Insight //
21
Society
Has modern man made any choice?
By Krishna ATHAL
Editor in chief
It is very easy to blame circumstances on destiny, to say we don’t have
a choice and are forced to put up with the “hand of destiny we’ve been
dealt” in life. So that brings up the question – do we always have a choice?
Is everything that happens to us in life “just fate” or do we actually have
a choice?
The last line of the poem “Invictus” (the Latin word meaning
victorious) by English poet William Ernest Henley reads “I am
the master of my fate.” Henley was
a man who greatly believed that
no matter what life threw at him,
he was going to make a choice
steer his destiny in the direction
he wanted.
We might be thinking, “Wait, I
don’t have total control over who I
am. There are things about me that I
didn’t choose!” We might be right.
We don’t know for sure, but we
probably didn’t decide to become a male or female human
before we were born. We most
likely didn’t choose our birth
parents or come to a conscious
decision of what race or nationality we would be.
Yet, for all of the things about us
that we didn’t chose, there are
millions of things that we have
chosen. All of these things have
brought us to where we are right
now, reading this article in my
blog.
Other People Making
Decisions For Us
As a child, each and everyone one
of us relied on others to either
make decisions for us or help
us make decisions. Now that we
have grown up, much of our life
is based purely on our choices.
From the time someone first enters school they basically decide
Have we been choosing well? whether or not they are going
Are we successful in the areas to do their homework, pay atwe want to be or do we feel like tention in class or study hard.
we’re not living up to our po- Perhaps as children, they don’t
tential? Are we happy? Have we realise how long-lasting the conmade choices that have taken us sequences of not doing well in
away from where we really want school might be.
to be in life?
The students who don’t put much
There are hundreds of examples effort into studying and doing
we could use to illustrate how their homework likely fail their
the decisions we have made in tests or receive poor grades. By
the past are now affecting our doing badly in school, they usupresent life. For the purpose of ally don’t meet the requirements
this article and since it’s such a to get into a quality university
global topic of discussion and in- (or any university at all).
terest, let’s focus on choices regarding money and careers for a When they become adults withminute.
out a higher education, their ability to obtain a high paying, speFor someone who is struggling cialised job is limited, so perhaps
financially, they might say, “But they end up working somewhere
I didn’t choose to be born poor. It’s that they were not thrilled with
not my fault that my parents made but at least it brings them enough
the choices they did.” While that is money to help pay the bills.
true, the choices we have made
from your childhood until now So, does it mean that because
have resulted in our current fi- these people make poor choices
nancial situation. It’s no longer as children they have to stay in
our parent’s fault or anyone else’s their current, low-paying job and
fault for that matter – our life is not have the financial freedom
now in our hands.
they want in their future?
31. The biggest mistake I can
make is doing nothing because
24. The one with nothing to hide I’m scared to make a mistake.
is always the one left standing 32. Nothing is good or bad, but
thinking makes it so.
tall.
33. What other people think of
25. My habits define my life.
me isn’t that important.
26. I will say no when I should.
27. I will stand firm by my values 34. If I want to believe in myself
without senselessly promoting more I will start doubting others
less. Because where I most easily
them.
28. We are all weird in our own doubt others is where I most easily doubt myself.
way. This makes life beautiful.
29. Everyone has a story. There’s 35. I will ask questions if I’m not
a reason why people are the way sure.
they are. I will appreciate them 36. I will let go of things I can’t
change and instead concentrate
just the way they are.
30. I cannot make someone love on things I can.
me. I can only be someone who 37. There are extraordinary
things going on in my life. I have
can be loved.
CONT PAGE 15
School Days
a lot to be thankful for.
38. Today is a new beginning – a
chance for me to do something
extraordinary.
39. No matter how small, I will
celebrate my successes today.
40. I will thank people who have
helped me and I will return the
favor as soon as I am able.
41. There are ideas, products and
cultures I do not yet understand.
I will keep an open mind.
42. The most important things in
my life are my health, my family
and friends, and my education.
Everything else is secondary.
43. There are thousands of little things that just aren’t worth
fighting for – I will let them go. I
Absolutely not! It’s never too
late for a person to improve his
or her life.
Making Difficult
Decisions
We have the power to CHOOSE
to improve our life or to not improve it. No one is coming to our
rescue and actively trying to fix
all of our personal problems for
us – it is we who has to choose
to do something about our situation.
What are you going to choose
to improve about your life to
make it right? Your relationships?
Your financial situation? Your
career? Your health? Choose to
CHANGE.
will choose my battles wisely.
44. I will stay out of other people’s drama and not needlessly
create my own.
45. I will always be honest with
myself and others.
46. Every mistake I make is progress. I must learn from my mistakes and the mistakes of others.
47. I will treat everyone with
the same level of respect I would
give to my grandfather and the
same level of patience I would
have with my baby brother.
48. Nothing is permanent. However good or bad a situation is
now, it will change.
49. Life is short and people are
not perfect. I will forgive my-
self. I will forgive others.
50. Missing a once-in-a-lifetime
chance leads to regret, or creativity. Because what can’t be redone can still be outdone.
51. No matter how it turns out,
it always ends up just the way it
should be. Either I succeed or I
learn something. Win-Win.
52. I will not waste my time on
jealously. I’m in competition
with one person and one person
only – myself. I’m competing to
be the best I can be.
The most successful people I
There are countless successful know don’t get all emotional
stories of people who’ve gone about difficult choices in life –
from rags to riches. Likewise, they just make a decision and
most successful people who move on. Personally, I look at
initially lacked the education to every choice in life on pretty
achieve what they wanted ended much the same level; it is someup going back to university, tak- thing that needs to be decided
ing a short course or reading a on, so make a decision and move
bunch of books until they were on.
sufficiently educated to succeed.
I tend to make rational and logiTurning Our Life Around cal decisions about things as
quickly as possible. I don’t like
If we are not where we want to to waste time dwelling on what
be in your life right now, we can I should do – I work out what
choose to CHANGE. Thousands the best thing to do is and then
of people who are less intelli- make a decision. Making choices
gent, less educated and less fi- in that way has brought me a lot
nancially stable than us are doing of success in life and I believe it
it every day.
will do the same for you.
References:
• The Modern Man – one step at a time
• Successful Thinking
- Nishta. K.
Insight //
22
St Valentine’s
Happy Valentine’s
Day 2011
There are varying opinions as to the origin ofValentine’s Day. Some experts state that it originated
from St.Valentine, a Roman who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity. He died on February 14, 269 A.D., the same day that had been devoted to love lotteries. Legend also says that St.
Valentine left a farewell note for the jailer’s daughter, who had become his friend, and signed it
“From Your Valentine”. Other aspects of the story say that Saint Valentine served as a priest at the
temple during the reign of Emperor Claudius. Claudius then had Valentine jailed for defying him.
In 496 A.D. Pope Gelasius set aside February 14 to honour St.Valentine.
Over time, February 14 has become the date for exchanging
love messages and a celebration
of St. Valentine, the patron saint
of lovers. The date is marked by
sending poems and simple gifts,
such as flowers, to loved ones
and secret loves. By far, Valentine’s Day Flowers are the most
popular gift today.
The History of Saint
Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day started in the
time of the Roman Empire. In ancient Rome, February 14th was a
holiday to honour Juno. Juno was
the Queen of the Roman Gods
and Goddesses. The Romans
also knew her as the Goddess of
women and marriage. The following day, February 15th, began
the Feast of Lupercalia.
one of the customs of the young
people was name drawing. On
the eve of the festival of Lupercalia the names of Roman girls
were written on slips of paper
and placed into jars. Each young
man would draw a girl’s name
from the jar and would then be
partners for the duration of the
festival with the girl whom he
chose. Sometimes the pairing of
the children lasted an entire year,
and often, they would fall in love
and would later marry.
Under the rule of Emperor
Claudius II Rome was involved
in many bloody and unpopular
campaigns. Claudius the Cruel
was having a difficult time getting soldiers to join his military
leagues. He believed that the reason was that roman men did not
want to leave their loves or families. As a result, Claudius cancelled all marriages and engagements in Rome. The good Saint
Valentine was a priest at Rome
in the days of Claudius II. He and
Saint Marius aided the Christian
martyrs and secretly married
couples, and for this kind deed
Saint Valentine was apprehended
and dragged before the Prefect of
Rome, who condemned him to
be beaten to death with clubs and
to have his head cut off. He suffered martyrdom on the 14th day
of February, about the year 270.
At that time it was the custom in
Rome, a very ancient custom, indeed, to celebrate in the month
of February the Lupercalia, feasts
in honour of a heathen god. On
these occasions, amidst a variety
The lives of young boys and girls of pagan ceremonies, the names
were strictly separate. However, of young women were placed
in a box, from which they were how you are feeling.
drawn by the men as chance directed.
In some countries, a young woman may receive a gift of clothing
The pastors of the early Christian from a young man. If she keeps
Church in Rome endeavoured to the gift, it means she will marry
do away with the pagan element him.
in these feasts by substituting the
names of saints for those of maid- Some people used to believe that
ens. And as the Lupercalia began if a woman saw a robin flying
about the middle of February, overhead on Valentine’s Day, it
the pastors appear to have cho- meant she would marry a sailor.
sen Saint Valentine’s Day for the If she saw a sparrow, she would
celebration of this new feaSt. So marry a poor man and be very
it seems that the custom of young happy. If she saw a goldfinch, she
men choosing maidens for valen- would marry a millionaire.
tines, or saints as patrons for the
coming year, arose in this way.
A love seat is a wide chair. It was
first made to seat one woman
Valentine Traditions
and her wide dress. Later, the
love seat or courting seat had
Hundreds of years ago in Eng- two sections, often in an S-shape.
land, many children dressed In this way, a couple could sit toup as adults on Valentine’s Day. gether - but not too closely!
They went singing from home to
home. One verse they sang was: Think of five or six names of boys
or girls you might marry, As you
Good morning to you, valentine;
twist the stem of an apple, recite
Curl your locks as I do mine...
the names until the stem comes
Two before and three behind.
off. You will marry the person
Good morning to you, valentine... whose name you were saying
when the stem fell off.
In Wales wooden love spoons
were carved and given as gifts on Pick a dandelion that has gone
February 14th. Hearts, keys and to seed. Take a deep breath and
keyholes were favourite decora- blow the seeds into the wind.
tions on the spoons. The decora- Count the seeds that remain on
tion meant, “You unlock my heart!” the stem. That is the number of
children you will have.
In the Middle Ages, young men
and women drew names from If you cut an apple in half and
a bowl to see who their valen- count how many seeds are inside,
tines would be. They would wear you will also know how many
these names on their sleeves for children you will have.
one week. To wear your heart on
your sleeve now means that it is
easy for other people to know
A A A
Insight //
23

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