Mauritius is known as
the Rainbow country as it is home to people from diverse
cultures. Majority of the people living in Mauritius
are of Indian origin.
In today's world of globalization
and commercialization, attempts are being made to fortify
bilateral relations India and Mauritius.
Garden City College recently
celebrated the Indo-Mauritian Friendship Meet with gusto.The
event that took place at the campus was well attended
by the Mauritian students, foreign students at the college
and Management Trainees.
The programme hosted at the
college auditorium stated with a welcome song, Emphasis
is on Life rendered by the GCC Choir. The marvelous
performance by the Mauritian students then set the mood
for the evening. This was followed by some stunning
dance numbers by the in house dance academy, GCC Roll
4 Soul depicting the festival of colour, Holi. Amidst
all the fanfare, the benign presence of Mr. J. W. Lobo,
Director, Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Bangalore
(ICCR) was felt. Speaking to the students, he recalled
his experiences in the Indian Ocean island nation. “Mauritius
is a living testimony of a vibrant democracy,” he said.
“The country is one of the leading economical advanced
countries in the world today with second highest per
capita income, second only to South Korea.”
Indio Mauritian Friendship: A
Notch Higher
Mr. Mooneelall Ramphul, President
of Indian-Mauritian Friendship Society was in the city
recently and was a guest at GCC campus. A certified
Management Administrator, he has held charge as the
Manager of the Mauritius Life Insurance Corporation
of India, Mauritius. He has also been at the helm of
affairs at the Discharged Persons Aids Committee, Chairman
of the 'Clean up the World' Committee, President of
the Coordination Committee of PIO organizations of Mauritius
and a member of the Global Organization of People of
Indian Origin. Mr. ramphal has the enviable credential
of being awarded the Officer of the British Empire (OBE)
by Her Majesty Queen of England.
GCC World got an opportunity to talk to Mr. Ramphul.
The following are the excerpts from the Interview:
Q. How does it feel coming to
Garden City College campus?
A. It makes me really proud to come to this college.
The name attributed to this college is totally apt as
it resembles a garden in the true sense of the word.
Students from so many different communities and countries
are like the flowers in this garden. The future leaders
from this college should bring out a good name to their
alma mater.
Q. As a president of the Indian
Mauritius Friendship Society, tell us something about
your job?
A: My job revolves around propagating the Indian culture
in Mauritius. To do so, we celebrate Indian festivals,
India's Republic Day, Independence Day, and even the
birthday of the Father of the Nation- Mahatma Gandhiji.
Q. How did you get involved with
social service?
A. (Proudly) In today's world everyone is so busy that
the victims of HIV/Aids are often left behind with no
support. To help out these people, it is necessary to
begin work at the grass root level. The dedicated services
to the patients discharged from hospital add up to the
success
Q. What are the challenges faced
by the discharged HIV/ Aids persons?
A. Once the patients are discharged, care is the basic
thing to be kept in mind. They need to be taught how
to manage their work themselves. This has been my personal
experience.
Q. Please share your secrets in
life?
A. I believe in God and myself. Respect others and others
will respect you. Life is a give and take process.
Q. Any advice to Gardenians?
A. Belief in God should be the basic priority. One should
never do things in a wrong way or knowingly. Keep this
in mind and success will come to you.
