Friday, January 31, 2014

Mauritius To Soon Run Out of Sanatogen

I mean it's almost a year since the Prime Minister has promised the imminent publication of a white paper on electoral reform. He has also given us the impression he's struggling intellectually with it. Which has made me wonder over the past twelve months if his efforts were in the same league as when Andre Wiles finally solved Fermat's Last Problem. But he doesn't have to wreck whatever brains he may have. All he has to do is to put a few very broad parameters in a document and place it on the web. Along with all relevant data. And let us Mauritians play with this puzzle.

With all the smart minds around -- of the non-TINA variety -- we should see many great ideas flowing in quickly. As we iterate to something better. Eminently thoughtful. To something that cannot be obliterated in a flash. Unlike that evil proposal which was so weak that it was completely demolished in a few minutes.

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

How the CSO Can Reduce its Carbon Footprint

I don't really have time to tell you about it now. Besides Tottenham will host City in about 20 minutes. Still I thought I would write the title and puzzle you. And get you thinking. Stay tuned.

Thursday, January 23, 2014

The Mac Turns 30

The disruptive computer, inspired by what Steve Jobs saw at Xerox's PARC, was introduced on January 24, 1984. And to announce what would become the coolest PC ever built, the California-based innovator released what is considered the greatest ever TV ad on Super Bowl. Which will certainly give enough of you pause considering the ongoing controversial ID project.

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

A Champ de Mars Like No Other

The one we have in Port-Louis should have a little emphasis added to its name: Champ du 12 Mars. Because for so many of us it was on a twelfth of March that we experienced some of the most intense moments of our existence there.

The granddaddy of all being of course 12.3.68. Because when else do you witness so much heart-stopping drama? First, the Union Jack is lowered. That's enough to get your blood pump to beat irregularly. At least a few times. Then our own brand new flag is raised high. If you are still not dead by then you also -- as a bonus -- get to hear a massive crowd of all kinds of tear-eyed people very proudly singing. Or crying. Some of them uncontrollably. To a beautiful piece of music.

We need to hurry with this one for at least two reasons. One because independent Mauritius will turn 50 in a few years and the other to help us forget the ridiculously bland celebrations for the 40th (a year of ferocious bean-counting -- aka bumper crop) and 45th independence anniversaries (a year when we apparently didn't have enough money to have our own A380 land at Plaisance -- thanks PBB!).

Shouldn't be too hard to get this baby out for this year's celebration.

Friday, January 10, 2014

STC Offering Lower Basmati Prices

According to a report on national TV yesterday, it had already imported some 200 tons of two types of the popular rice and is making them available at prices that are 23% cheaper. The Industry Minister was also heard saying that some importers mixed Basmati with lower quality rice.

We apparently import some 50,000 tons of the tasty stuff and the Government is standing ready to supply the entire demand at more reasonable prices.

Good move. There is plenty of scope for many more interventions like this. Because there are simply way too many goods and services that are of poor quality and yet they are sold at prices that are totally out of sync with international prices.

When will the STC import sugar?

Thursday, January 9, 2014

One Ramgoolam Catches Up With Another

A year from now. As far as how long they would have been Prime Minister of independent Mauritius. If you're using election dates. Take the dates they were sworn into the highest office of the land -- because after all votes have to be counted and power has to be transferred -- and you would have to wait for an additional three days or Monday, January 12, 2015 for that to happen.

The record-holder is of course SAJ. Who is the only one to have been PM for more than 6,000 days. NR can match that in 2017. Sometime between the final week of April and second week of May. If he wins the next polls.