Local Mauritius

Former McCann Erickson CEO speaks on branding issues

The Public Relations and Communication Professionals Association (PRCPA) organised a conference and sharing of ideas with former chief executive officer of McCann Erickson, Michael Carroll, on Wednesday. This was held at the Eastern Institute for Integrated Learning in Management (EIILM), Ebène. Carroll addressed the first, second and third year Mass Communication, Journalism and Advertising students, [...]

06 Oct 2011, The Independent Daily

Teachers’ Day celebrated

Members of the General Purpose Teachers Union as well as the Government Teachers Union (GTU) celebrated World Teachers’ Day with great enthusiasm on Wednesday. Minister of Education and Human Resources Dr Vasant Bunwaree was present at both events held in Quatre Bornes to celebrate this day that is a school holiday in Mauritius. World Teachers’ [...]

06 Oct 2011, The Independent Daily

Proposed abortion bill divides population

When the parliament returns to session this October 18, one of the foremost thoughts in many minds would be the legislation that proposes to legalise abortion in Mauritius, albeit in special circumstances. The current law is derived from French and British codes practised in the 19th century. The 1938 revision of the Penal Code of [...]

06 Oct 2011, The Independent Daily

Delegates meet to decide on CHC’s future

The Port Louis Maritime Employees Association (PLMEA) will organise its delegates’ assembly soon. This follows the meeting held at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on Tuesday on the privatisation of the Cargo Handling Corporation (CHC). This was confirmed by Alain Edouard, president of PLMEA. Edouard said that the trade union, which represents the dock workers, [...]

06 Oct 2011, The Independent Daily

Institute promotes Bhojpuri songs

Many individuals and organisations on the island are working towards preserving one of our intangible cultural heritages, namely the Bhojpuri language. To promote this language, a Lok Parampara Geet competition or a competition of traditional Bhojpuri folk songs will be held on October 16 at Shival Hall in Petit Raffray at 8 am. “Our aim [...]

06 Oct 2011, The Independent Daily

Parents take school to Supreme Court

Sananneden Thylamay and Poovaneshwaree Naiker Thylamay, parents of six-year-old Keshavamurthi Thylamay have filed a complaint at the Supreme Court against their son’s school authorities for having failed their duty towards the students. The child’s parents are asking for Rs 12 million as compensation from the Ministry of Education and Human Resources for the trauma their [...]

06 Oct 2011, The Independent Daily

FSL examines Loto claimant’s damaged ticket

On Wednesday, the alleged Rs 35.8 million loto winner, Vidinand Kallotee, presented himself at the Central Criminal Investigation Division (CCID), Port Louis again. Kallotee, 48, a handyman from Plaine des Roches completed procedures over the securing of his ticket by investigators and visited the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), Moka for an examination of his ticket. [...]

06 Oct 2011, The Independent Daily

US embassy gives grant to Police Force

The IT Unit of the police force has been engaging in Anti-Terrorism Assistance (ATA) training since 2008. In supporting the Mauritius Police Force, the US embassy recognises the increasing use of the Internet, social media sites and digital equipment of various types in criminal activities and the growing pressure on police to investigate and prosecute. [...]

06 Oct 2011, The Independent Daily

Sayed-Hossen urges Africa to remove barriers to improve trade

On Wednesday, the minister of Industry and Commerce, Cader Sayed-Hossen declared the 2nd General Assembly of the African Accreditation Cooperation (AFRAC) open at Balaclava. The event was also attended by the director of the Mauritius Accreditation Service (MAURITAS), Neeren Gopee, who gave the welcome speech. Tarana Loumabeka from the African Union as well as representatives [...]

06 Oct 2011, The Independent Daily

Rs 35.8-million Loto winner risks losing prize

Vidinand Kallootee, who claims to have won the 100th draw of the Loto worth Rs 35.8 million, has recorded a statement at the Central Criminal Investigation Division (CCID). The 48-year old handyman residing at Plaine des Roches has requested the CCID to send his lottery ticket to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for analysis. Kaloutee [...]

05 Oct 2011, The Independent Daily

MACOSS to get own headquarters

MACOSS will finally get its own headquarters. On Monday, the minister of Social Security Sheila Bappoo proceeded to the laying of the foundation stone in presence of the minister of Social Integration, Suren Dayal and the executive director of Southern Africa Trust (SAT), Neville Gabriel, who are partly sponsoring the building. Denis Grandport and Ram [...]

05 Oct 2011, The Independent Daily

Workshop discusses climate change

Activities to commemorate World Habitat Day 2011 kicked off on Monday with the opening of a one-day workshop focussing on ‘Cities and Climate Change’. Minister of Housing and Lands Dr Abu Kasenally was present. The event was organised by the Ministry of Housing and Lands at La Canelle, Domaine Les Pailles. It aimed at enabling [...]

05 Oct 2011, The Independent Daily

Seetharam lauds role of Hindi in uniting cultures, traditions

The High Commission of India held an award ceremony for Hindi Diwas at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Indian Culture (IGCIC), Phoenix on Tuesday. Gevish Ramchurn, a Standard 6 student from Beau Vallon Government School, was awarded in the first category for his recital of works by poet Kabir Das. Deepesh Sharma, a Form 1 [...]

05 Oct 2011, The Independent Daily

Savage rows I Ocean solo

British rower Roz Savage is the first woman to have rowed across the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans. Moreover, she did this in an eco-friendly boat. Her arrival in Mauritius marks the end of her eventful journey. She was given a warm welcome at the jetty by her mother Rita Savage, supporters and a team [...]

05 Oct 2011, The Independent Daily

Memorial lecture pays tribute to Gandhi

To mark the 142nd birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, a memorial lecture was held on Tuesday at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute, Moka to pay tribute to the great soul who has become the symbol of non-violence in the world. Professor Mahendra Narain Karna, formerly professor of Sociology at North Eastern Hill University gave his 26th [...]

05 Oct 2011, The Independent Daily

Belgians delegation explores investment opportunities

A delegation of 12 persons from the Belgian business community is presently in Mauritius to discover various investment opportunities in different sectors. Led by Professor Robert Wtterwulghe, honorary consul of the Republic of Mauritius in Belgium, the business delegation reached the country on October 1 and will be here till October 9. On Tuesday, they [...]

05 Oct 2011, The Independent Daily

AfrAsia registers 223 per cent profit

AfrAsia Bank recently announced its financial results for the year ending June 30, 2010. This is the bank’s fourth year of operation. The bank saw its net profits, as a group, increase by 223 per cent to reach Rs 124.4 million during their last financial year compared to Rs 38.5 million in 2009-10. According to [...]

05 Oct 2011, The Independent Daily

MMM to meet at Bar Chacha

It is in leader of the Opposition Paul Berenger’s constituency that the Movement Militant Mauricien (MMM) has chosen to organise a public meeting. This will be held on October 14 at Bar Chacha, Rose Hill in preparation for the opening of the next Parliament session slated for October 19. The principal lieutenants of the party, [...]

05 Oct 2011, The Independent Daily

IBA hears Khamajeet’s complaint today

MP Dhiraj Khamajeet’s compliant against Radio Plus will be heard by the Complaints Committee of the Independent Broadcasting Corporation (IBA) on October 5. The IBA had received the complaint from Khamajeet’s attorney-at-law Jaykar Gujadhur on September 28. The second elected member for constituency No 9, Bon Accueil / Flacq had complained that a doctored and [...]

05 Oct 2011, The Independent Daily

MSM leader accuses PM of abusing power

Prime Minister Dr Navin Ramgoolam is using institutions to defend him and persecute members of the Opposition. The island is going through a difficult time where there is attempt to democracy, liberty of expression, systematic interference in the work of institutions that are supposedly independent. The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) and some officers at [...]

03 Oct 2011, The Independent Daily