Local Mauritius

Progress slow at freeport

The proposed construction of a new cargo and freeport zone at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport has been facing multiple delays. The Airport of Mauritius Co limited (AML), in conjunction with the Board of Investment (BOI) had initiated the first steps for important project to start soon. However, the tender exercise to identify a master [...]

18 May 2011, The Independent Daily

Arumugum eyes Everest summit

Jaysen Arumugum is on his way to becoming the first Mauritian to climb Mt Everest, giving an update on the present conditions informed that, “The weather forecasts and rope fixing are all coming together now and we will most probably be leaving base camp on May 19 or 20 for the summit on May 26 [...]

18 May 2011, The Independent Daily

Ministries inspecting food hygiene

An inspection week for food security is being held after the Flying Squad of the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life warned a total of 75 restaurant owners for non-compliance of the Food Act on Monday. According to an officer of the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life, these owners did not comply [...]

18 May 2011, The Independent Daily

Measures taken to improve traffic fluidity, road safety

Traffic situation at La Croisée Sans Souci At the National Assembly’s parliamentary session on Tuesday, member of parliament Jim Seetaram wanted to know whether there has been an increase in road congestion as a result of road obstruction at La Croisée Sans Souci to Montagne Blanche police station. In reply Prime Minister Dr Navin Ramgoolam [...]

18 May 2011, The Independent Daily

Twice as many men as women employed

The labour force for the year 2010 was estimated at 581,300 with 362,400 males and 218,900 females. Employment last year stood at 536,100 with 345,700 males and 190,400 females. These figures were published by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) on Tuesday. According to the report, the estimated number of unemployed for 2010 was 45,200 (16,700 [...]

18 May 2011, The Independent Daily

Govt opens ICT to senior citizens

With a view to encourage the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) among senior citizens and rural area residents, the National Computer Board (NCB) and Mauritius Post Ltd (MPL) launched the ‘Get Online Week’. This six-day drive was inaugurated on Tuesday to mark World Telecommunications and Information Society Day celebrated every year on May [...]

18 May 2011, The Independent Daily

Government valuer allowed to moonlight

Yodhun Bissessur, government chief valuer, is allowed private practices against remuneration as long as there is no conflict of interest and the work is carried outside his normal working hours. This moonlighting practice is in line with PRB report, pointed out the minister of Finance and Economic Development Pravind Jugnauth on Tuesday in reply to [...]

18 May 2011, The Independent Daily

Man kills son at wedding

The Beekoo family of Palma was brimming with joy during the wedding of Mahen Beekoo on Sunday. However, little did they know that their celebrations would soon turn into a massive tragedy. After the wedding ceremony, Goorparsad Beekoo, the 61-year-old father of the groom stabbed his second son, 32-year-old Kevin, to death. To add to [...]

17 May 2011, The Independent Daily

British Council organises career world 2011

The British Council, in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Grand Baie is organising the education fair, Career World 2011 at Grand bay. The United Kingdom has become one the most popular destinations for international students. It was noted that in 2010, close to 1,000 students in Mauritius chose UK to pursue their tertiary education. [...]

17 May 2011, The Independent Daily

MTPA, Naiade promote

The date for the third edition of the Indian Ocean Triathlon was announced during a press conference at the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) office on Monday. The event is being held by Naiade Events, VO2maxVoyages and MTPA, in collaboration with Mauritius Triathlon Federation. This event will be organised on November 13 and will act [...]

17 May 2011, The Independent Daily

NGO says no to garden fencing

An association, Collectif Mouvement Pavillon Libre, addressed an open letter to the minister of Local Government and Outer Islands Herve Aimée on World Earth Day with regards to the fencing work of the Jardin du Pavillon at Quatre Bornes. The association sent a letter on May 16 and it contained opinions from several public personalities. [...]

17 May 2011, The Independent Daily

Buddha Jayanti Celebrated Today

Buddha Jayanti is being celebrated today, and the message of love and compassion preached by Lord Buddha over 2,500 year ago resonates throughout the world. Lord Buddha is also known as the apostle of peace, and his teachings for peaceful coexistence are relevant even today. The world is still seeing a lot of misery and [...]

17 May 2011, MauritiusHot

NGO fights for lesbian, gay rights

The time has come to break down prejudices against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. This was announced by Nathalie Ahnee, president of the association, Collectif Arc En Ciel. The president stated that it is important to make the public understand that homosexuality is not simply just a gender issue. The people from [...]

17 May 2011, The Independent Daily

Force Vive aims to improve life at Long Mountain

After consulting the residents of Long Mountain, the organisation Force Vive aims to improve the lives of the region’s residents. The main areas that the organisation aims to change are Long Mountain, Crève Cœur, Les Mariannes, Notre Dame and Bois Pignolet. As part of the changes, inhabitants have requested for ‘Camp La Boue’ to be [...]

17 May 2011, The Independent Daily

Schoolgirl stalker arrested

On Monday, police arrested a 40-year-old man from Pamplemousses under a provisional charge of ‘rogue and vagabond’. He is suspected of stalking students from the Pamplemousses SSS after school hours and asking them to get into his vehicle. One of the students’ parent, who is a police officer, lodged a complaint with the police on [...]

17 May 2011, The Independent Daily

WHS council considers setting up HQ at Phoenix

The Governing Council of World Hindi Secretariat (WHS) held its second meeting on the promotion of Hindi as an international language at Domaine Les Pailles on Monday. The meeting was co-chaired by Indian minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur and minister of Education Vasant Bunwaree. Discussions centred on emerging issues such as the [...]

17 May 2011, The Independent Daily

Imrith demands suspension of PS

Following the sudden death of Pravindradeo Sahadew, acting registrar at the Ministry of Cooperatives on Friday, the Fédération des Syndicats du Service Civil (FSSC) has asked for the immediate suspension of permanent secretary Asha Burrenchobay. The family members of the deceased have accused her of alleged victimisation. “On Thursday, he came home at 7 pm. [...]

17 May 2011, The Independent Daily

Two bills to be introduced on Tuesday

The Law Practitioners (Amendment) Bill and the Institute for Judicial and Legal Studies Bill will be introduced in the National Assembly on Tuesday. The two bills, which will be presented by attorney general Yatin Varma, aim at implementing recommendations of the Presidential Commission chaired by Lord Mackay of Clashfern. Speaking at a press conference in [...]

17 May 2011, The Independent Daily

Kreol received good response: Bunwaree

Over 2,800 students have opted for the Kreol language, said Vasant Bunwaree, minister of Education. He assured that all was going on smoothly concerning the introduction of the language at primary level. “Kreol has found its rightful place in the linguistic landscape in Mauritius,” he said. The ministry had set up a fast track and [...]

17 May 2011, The Independent Daily

Chagossian group could return to archipelago

According to the British daily The Telegraph, an action plan has been set up to enable a Chagossian group to return to their birth land. In this context, a conference will be held this week in United Kingdom and will include the UK Chagos Support Association under the chairmanship of Roch Evenor. It will also [...]

17 May 2011, The Independent Daily