For Ramgoolam, December 2014 Was Worse Than A 60-0

See we know what happened on the two times the outgoing government didn't manage to get a single candidate elected. The incumbent PM along with what voters considered the best candidates were ranked just after those that were elected. For example the table below shows the eight unelected politicians who got the highest percentage votes in 1982. A similar situation occurred in 1995.

None of this happened to Ramgoolam in 2014. Thirteen MPs were elected but he was not one of them although he had topped his riding in the preceding five elections. Neither were Arvin Boolell -- he had bagged six consecutive wins since 1987 -- and Rama Sithanen whose electoral model must have suggested fleeing to a 'safe' riding. In fact four losing candidates did better than Ramgoolam. It was an amazingly wonderful result. Mauritius had said no the wicked plan of transforming her into a banana republic.

Meeting Yvon St. Guillaume

That happened after leaving the funeral of Sir Satcam Boolell in March 2006. I was walking Lady Jag! back to our car when our path crossed that of an elegant man who was happily introduced as YSG. That gentleman became instantly interesting to me after my mom told me that he had voted for Independence despite being from the PMSD.

Yvon was beaming while I was being briefed. He seemed all set to go right into the National Assembly and second that motion for Independence again. If need be. Or maybe just for the fun of reliving those extraordinary emotions at the Champ de Mars when our flag was raised for the first time.

We left after a nice chat and I took his mobile number promising to get back to him. Mostly to perhaps get a chance of listening to the IMAX version of that beautiful story. I never did. I got busy. Firing katyushas. Non-stop. 

R.I.P. Patriot!

Only Guy With Tie Turns 80

That would be Sir Anerood Jugnauth (SAJ), the second Prime Minister of Mauritius. In this picture which must be about half a century old he is standing next to my dad. SSB is also in there (in the middle of the front row).

I remember picking up our phone once back in the early 1970s and hearing a guy answer Anerood Jugnauth when I asked de la part de qui? I immediately put the phone on the smaller table of the study of the guy who never found a good book he could resist and went to look for Bhai Kher quite puzzled. 

"Dad", I whispered, "you will never believe who's on the phone?" He rushed to take the call as soon as he had deciphered what I was saying. I followed him at a distance to check the tone one should use when talking to the enemy.

I was dumbfounded when I didn't notice any sparks right at the beginning. In fact there were to be none whatsoever.

Anyway, Happy Birthday tomorrow Mr. President and... enjoy your dinner.