Big Mauritian Questions > 01
by Shaan Cheekhooree
‘What is our identity, culture, uniqueness, differentiator? Who are our local role models? What is our strength as a country? etc…’
People ask these questions in Mauritius and it is good that we try to find such answers, but I wonder how we will harmonize them. I explored the questions with different people, and it clarified the great disparity thats exists between their perceptions.
It feels as though people don’t really have a clue about what to think because they expect others to think for them. I notice that specially among youngsters. They live in Mauritius, while their brains wander in other countries. The brain drain stems from a disinterest in the country, and the unwillingness to have a future here.
Can UNITY solve the problem? It used to be a big word (it is still being put forward from time to time), but I cannot visualize a truly unified Mauritius. A sense of unity probably exists on the surface, but it is actually just tolerance - Mauritians are able to tolerate difference, but it does not mean they accept it. I doubt tolerance will lead to a unified nation, but it certainly contributes something.
The brain drain inevitably brings us back to the Big Mauritian Questions. Maybe if we managed to answer them, we could have a smarter & richer country. Economic growth does not rhyme with brain drain.
Some other articles on brain drain:
Mauritius urges laureates to return home
Read more here