Africa-Press – Mauritius. A blended intercultural being where dogmatism, fundamentalism, and totalitarianism of any hue and colour are regarded as alien to the Mauritian psycheAs we wake up on the 12th of march, we will not stare at nor start with a blank slate.
Instead, we’ll wake up deeply aware of our past that we leave behind as we wish our country a happy birthday, good health, and happiness. But these good wishes really depend on us as we continue to prepare ourselves for the future, notwithstanding the fact that we may not be able to imagine what it will be like for coming generations.
We are aware that our National Day has never been one of popular rejoicings that we would have liked to see on that day, partly because the political passions of the past (which by now have faded from the memory of older generations) have fortunately become largely irrelevant for the present and possibly for future generations as well.
The lack of true national feeling at the birth of the nation may have contributed to a particular tradition which explains the absence of popular national festivities.
Barring the official flag-raising ceremony, a state banquet or a composite musical show, there is little that expresses or generates our sense of belonging on that day.
It is true that students will gather at the traditional school flag-raising ceremony, sing the national anthem, followed by the distribution of cakes and refreshments similar to the celebrations of empire Day or Coronation Day of yore.
There will be the traditional official speeches, and in almost all government and private institutions there will be the usual flag-raising ceremony accompanied by the national anthem; a few government institutions and private companies will fly the national flag.
For most people, it is a public holiday like any other – good for a seaside picnic or business as usual. One should not deplore this state of affairs; this is also the case in all countries where there is no need to beat the patriotic drum in the face of a threatening state.
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