At first, I thought it is nasty old procrastination keeping me from writing again. No, I have not sunk to a new low in cynicism, despite being righteously ruffled! Hopefully, this will take the mind- numbing drudgery out of electronic communication- I call it my wacky interactive treat and apologize in advance for the effects (based, of course, on individual interpretation) of this literary machinery! Consume and enjoy!

Many a times, we refer to that inner ‘Voice’- one that mostly makes itself heard during our indecisive moments, or when we think our conscience is propelling us in the direction that our intellect cannot settle on. The Nation has such a Voice as well. Should we take a moment and listen to what it is saying? Just for the heck of it, maybe our leaders should give into that Voice and see where it leads. The Voice is not demanding, nor is it imposing. The Government is in a defensive mode. The Media has its hackles raised in aggression. The Opposition is ready to pounce on anything controversial. And at the centre of all this is the Mauritian Nation. The people. Our people.

We are caught in the maelstrom of political turmoil that almost hearkens to times when humans were thrown to lions for entertainment. Because dear readers, that is exactly what it is at the end of the day- Entertainment. Master puppeteers are tugging expertly at flimsy social strings, enjoying the erratic dance of the nation, to whichever tune they opt for. Ensconced in a world unknown to most of us, those who claim to have our best interests at heart paradoxically seem to relish at our squabbles.

 Mauritians, I say we bring a halt to feeding the bellicose attitude of anyone who rejoices at the nation’s instability. It will only be our fault if we allow these social denigrators, at times masked as intellectual imposters, to disrupt our national entente. The case of Kreol as a taught language is plain codswallop. Might I suggest that, rather than trying to include Kreol in our academic curriculum, we begin by encouraging the spoken dialect first! No point trying to teach something that the nation is not proud of.

The mentality needs education. We need to stop treating Kreol as a victim that requires a solatium from the Government. Speak it freely and with pride. Our forefathers carried their regional languages with them. They spoke it, encouraged it and transferred it further down the generations. Families today, instead of encouraging Kreol in the home, prefer their kids to speak in French or English, believing firmly that it is better for them! French and English is compulsory in our schools- whether they want it or not, every Mauritian child who has gone through the current curriculum will exit with the ability to speak those two languages.

As the years pass us by, we seem to develop this chronic allergy to Kreol and it is only thanks to us that, today, spin doctors have the luxury of bringing it to the table for dissecting and political misuse. A gentle slap on the wrist to those who have nothing better to do than use our dear language to suit their means- the main criterion for whether something is a dialect of another language or a separate language is not a decision to be made lightly by political or social elites. There are no linguistic criteria for differentiating between a language and a dialect. You are treading on thin ice. Kreol is not your political cheval de bataille, so do not attempt to make it so.

Now, a quick word on the amorously- queer relationship between our current Prime Minister and the media. He reminds me sometimes of a young man who discovered an old idea and thinks it is his own- very amusing! It is oh- so- convenient to hurl accusations of yellow journalism around and dismiss the media when critical issues are turned (some intentionally, some due to sheer lack of competence) into a political sideshow bagatelle.

The newspapers are not getting away from this scot- free either. I think the nation is asking that you write in your truthful, unbiased way that reflects the long- standing catholicity of your interests. Do not ostracize the nation and never settle for playing the role of second fiddle. And when required, lean back and accept some things with a soupçon indulgent humour. Ward heelers and tub-thumpers will remain politicians and politicasters will forever weave their toxic magic (ever-so- predictable October surprises every 4-5 years!), newspapers will always be weighed and found wanting. In the midst of all that, I strongly appeal to the Mauritian spirit to shine through.

Let us shake off eristic habits and adopt more conducive ones. Someone calls you ‘ti nation’, be a ‘grand nation’ by actions and attitude. Speak Kreol with your head high and let your children do so too. Let your intellect be the best judge of how to interpret what is written and said. Let us love our language, our neighbours and our nation with a passion that will outlive passion itself. Let us be one, only then will we be heard as one. Vox Populi Vox Dei- The Voice of the Nation is the Voice of God.