The more beautiful side of Mauritius
We were surprised when a cabbie in Port Louis played the Bhojpuri number “Pal pal naa mane tinku jiya” on his car music system. Yes, after Hindi, Bhojpuri is the most spoken language among the 52% Hindu population in Mauritius.
Back from this beautiful island recently, we brought with us memories of not only scenic, calm and serene vistas, but certain other things that looked prettier in their Mauritian obtainment. With its Dutch, Portuguese, French and British historical ownership and exploitation, it was India’s 40-lakh workers who shaped up what the country is today.
“What have you not inherited from us?” I asked Suresh Ramburn, who doubled as our local host and guide. With a glint in his eyes, the former secretary to the then Prime Minister, Ramburn said: “Dowry and paan!” I said, “What do you mean? You don’t give or take dowry in this country where the population largely has Indian ethnic roots?” He dismissed my poser with a firm no and said: “There is no dhoomdhadaka in weddings here. It’s just a small feast that accounts for celebrations.” And what about paan, I asked in wonderment. “It’s just out of our commitment to cleanliness that we don’t consume paan,” he said.
Ramburn’s knowledge about his country was amazing. While he was driving the car, a beetlelike insect flapped past my face. He was quick to say, “Don’t worry; there are no poisonous insects in Mauritius.”
“Why not turn the air-conditioner on and roll up the windowpanes,” I suggested. “We avoid ACs here to ensure our air stays pristine. And with such beautiful weather as this, ACs are not required,” said Ramburn.
Still in inquisitive state of mind, I asked him if there were any snakes in the country. He laughed again: “They aren’t poisonous and their size too is not more than a foot.”
Mauritians don’t go by caste. The caste system is not even followed by staunch Hindus here. They take pride in recalling their forebears as the labour class. The flag too has a strip of red colour on top of it, symbolising hard work and toiling. They have allowed their girls equal rights in property and accord women equal status as that of men. Most of the Mauritians know and speak at least four languages — English, French, Hindi and Bhojpuri. “It helps us in treating our visitors well,” said Ramburn.
There is a pilgrimage site south of Mauritius called Ganga Talao. This pond’s water is held to be sacred and is offered to Lord Shiva during the five-day Shivratri celebrations. Some devotees march up to this place on foot. A huge idol of Shiva is close to the site and another of Goddess Durga is in the process of being seated. I was silently contemplating on this while driving back home when a question from Ramburn disturbed me. Why are there so many rapes and kidnappings in India? My face fell.
MAURITIANS DON’T GO BY CASTE. THEY GIVE EQUAL RIGHTS TO GIRLS AND WOMEN AND TAKE PRIDE IN RECALLING THEIR FOREBEARS AS A LABOUR CLASS