Mauritius News Digest
Written by Editor Saturday, 18 June 2011 11:37
HSU announces
upcoming activities
The Hindi Speaking Union announced its upcoming activities at a press conference held on April 22. Operating under the aegis of the Ministry of Arts and Culture, its main objective is the promotion of the Hindi language in all its forms and safeguarding Indian culture.
A Hindi Drama Competition will be organized for the first time in primary schools. The union has received some 20 entries for the first year so far. The preliminaries will be held on May31, June 1 and 2 and the finals will be held on June 9.
A Hindi quiz competition for secondary schools students at the national level is also being organized. Some 70 colleges are participating in the same and the first round has started on April26.
Moreover, the Hindi Union, with the support of Indian publishers, is planning to organize a book fair for Hindi books. The fair will be organized at Goodlands on May 23 and. 24, at Flacq on May 25 and 26 and Curepipe on May 27.
For Music Day, which is observed around the world on June 21 every year, a Hindi song competition will be organized at the national level. The final has been scheduled for June 25.
A symposium will also be organized for the 130th birth anniversary of Manilal Doctor on July 30 at Vacoas.
NIA, centenarian in 2035
The New India Assurance Co. LTD is the oldest government of India undertakings in Mauritius. The institution came in 1924 and started in 1935.
“We are participating in all the developments, providing insurance coverage for the various risks involved, and provide financial security. We are present for a longtime now and look forward to celebrate our centenary in 2035 with the government and the people of Mauritius,” said the director Srinivasan Vaideswaran in the context of the State visit of the President of India, Smt Pratibha Devisingh Patil.
35 percent energy through renewable resources
The government plans to produce 35 per cent of the energy consumed from renewable sources.
This was stated by Deva Virahsawmy, minister of Environment and Sustainable Development at a conference held at his ministry. He mentioned the project of building eight eco-villages, and said that for now two will be built namely at Pointe aux Pinients and Panchavati. Nine villages, namely Pointe aux Piments, Panchavati, Vieux Grand Port, Vuillemin, La Gaulette, Le Morne, Poudre d’Or, Clemencia, Souillac and Riviere Coco in Rodrigues have been chosen for the same.
25th edition of TOYP
The 25th edition of the Outstanding Young Person (TOYP) competition of the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Mauritius is currently underway. Participants have until May 10 to submit their entries. The award stresses on the role of the youth in the nation’s development and aims to recognize outstanding young men and women of each generation.
ICI will honour the winners at the 66th ICI World Congress in Bruxelles, Belgium. The ceremony will highlight each winner’s career in narrative form and provide a stage from which honourees can challenge and inspire young people around the world.
7th edition of
China Town FCF
In order to discover the rich culinary tradition and culture of China, the Organising Committee China Town Food and Cultural Festival is putting together the 7th edition of the festival on May 7 and 8. The festival is being organised in collaboration with the Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
Pierre Yeung, president of the Organising Committee China Town Food and Cultural Festival 2011 stated that the festival is an occasion for Mauritians to discover Chinese food, dance, songs and martial arts. “Typical Chinese food will be available at promotional prices in many restaurants, stalls will also be set up on China Town streets. Different Chinese snacks and products will be on sale,” said Yeung.
The director of the China Cultural Centre, Wong Yang Jian said that the Fujian Acrobatic troupe from the Fujian province, China will come to Mauritius to showcase their talent in hand juggling, plate spinning, ball juggling and so on. Two chefs from the Fujian province have also been invited to prepare delicacies.
The students of the Chinese Cultural Centre will also give a demonstration of martial arts such as Tai Chi.
Four new university
campuses by 2012
The Cabinet has taken note that works for Pamplemousses university campus are expected to start in 2012.
Another campus will be constructed at Montagne Blanche and an additional one at Réduit, in line with the government’s objective to decentralise tertiary education. A similar project is envisaged at Rose Belle.
March 4 to be Law
Day every year
From 2012, Law Day will be celebrated on March 4 every year as a day of national dedication to the principles of the government under law.
This is in line with a decision of the World Jurists Association (WJA). The WJA recently conferred the title of the Order of Justice to President Sir Anerood Jugnauth for his contribution to maintaining peace in Mauritius and in the world.
The title -the Order of the Rule of Law has been conferred on Prime Minister Dr Navin Ramgoolam for his contribution to uphold democracy and the rule of law in Mauritius.
Activities to mark Cabon’s birth centenary
Arrangements are being made to mark the birth centenary of Marcel Cabon, a prolific Mauritian writer.
He was born in March 1912 and is known for his novel ‘Namaste’ and poems like ‘Kelibe-Keliba’. He also wrote the biography of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam.
International tax experts
meet for regional forum
This year, one hundred international tax experts are expected to attend the fifth edition of the Asia/Africa
International Fiscal Association (lFA) Regional Conference. The conference is being held to address tax professionals in the region.
The seminar has been scheduled for May 12 and 13 at the Sofitel Imperial, Flic en Flac. It will bring together experts from countries such as Singapore, Hong Kong, India, Pakistan, South Africa, Netherlands and Mauritius.
NGO raises fund to
shelter start children
The Service d’Accompgnement. de Formation. d’Integration. et de Rehabilitation de l’Enfant (SAFIRE) is organising a fund raiser event on May 27 to help street children.
This non-governmental organisation (NGO) was established in May 2006. The fund raiser is in line with the NGO’s aim to continue the programme established by the Ministry of Social Security, National Solidarity and Reform Institutions. The event includes dinner at Opium restaurant.
Children supported by SAFIRE generally do not have parental supervision or guidance. They are on their own, engage in all sorts of petty thefts and do not return home till late. For these children, the street becomes their life.
The role of SAFIRE is to manage, coach and ensure the children’s autonomy and enable them to become responsible citizens. The NGO has developed an approach to special education to enable children to gain emotional and functional autonomy in society
First series of Kite Surf Pro in Mauritius
Kite Surf Pro (KSP), a professional waver tour, has published its schedule for the World Championship Tour.
The tour consists of three series and the best kite surfers in the world will compete on the three most legendary waves on the planet. The first series will take place in Mauritius from September 23 to October 2 at Le Morne.
