Melbourne the most liveable city of Australia, by Marie Armitage

On Tue, Feb 28, 2012 at 4:21 PM, Marie Armitage <m.armitage@deakin.edu.au> wrote:

Thank you GDL for the compliments. It is no accident that Melbourne continuously is voted as the world's most liveable city. It is not due to its weather but merely for its people. People take time to live here and it is not all about just ‘boulot, metro, dodo’.

It was a real pleasure to have you in Melbourne.Those who have met you for the first time, have been very impressed with your open-mindness and provided us with an insight of everyday life in Sydney. Your speech at the Rodriguan mini fair will be remembered for a long time. You brought in this personal touch which has touched everybody in the room. People have obviously a lot of respect for you – you could not even hear a noise in the roomexcept your voice in this hall full of people including children. We truly hope that you will returnvery soon et pou fair la faya enkor!!!!

Melbourne, the friendliest city in Australia

You read any tourist promotion material on Australia and they will all say that Melbourne is the friendliest city. This assessment is confirmed by any visitor from overseas of from interstate.No matter the time or season, the visitor is always taken care of in one way or another.
In the past, it was said that Melbourne had the worst climate, the most versatile to the extent of having four seasons in a day and the coldest winter.
Many Melbournians would agree that the city was very cold in the sixties and seventies but not any more. Now Melbourne has the hottest summer which makes many of its inhabitants uncomfortable as they prefer cold weather, having been used to it.
The weather in Melbourne has changed a lot and this is seen by the vegetation. Fruit trees and vegetables that would not grow previously, even up to the nineties, are not blossoming in Melbourne. Many of my friends and relatives, now have a beautiful vegetable garden and tropical fruit tress in their backyards.
If the weather was cold and has gone warmer, the people of Melbourne have always been warm and welcoming. They like partying with friends and relatives. Every occasion is a good one, not an excuse. The visitor is always welcomed and greeted in the most cordial and friendly manner. Food and drinks will be abundant and all the family and friends will flock around.
Each time I visit Melbourne I enjoyed my stay and each time I find that this time it has been better. There is always a ball, a social activity or  cultural show.  On the family side there will always be a birthday or a family gathering of some sort.
In ten days I attended two family anniversaries, a mini-fair at the Rodriguan Social Club of Victoria and there was a multi-cultural show at Clayton.
My girl friend Marie, with very short notice, invited some of her relatives for a small gathering and it turned out to be a big party with plenty of food and drinks. Each one  brought a plate and drinks. The night was very friendly and I immediately enjoyed  company of  people I never met before. The relationship was sincere and spontaneous. The conversation was interesting and the atmosphere enjoyable.  I could feel the warmth and sincerity and I was really overwhelmed.
I had a such good time.
After ten days when we left Melbourne, my mother cried. she has visited Melbourne so many times and I tried to understand why she cried this time. It is simply because in Sydney she never felt so surrounded and taken care of.  Our cousins,Ringo and Dette have spoiled her so much with good food and tenderness. Not forgetting how our friend Donaldson made her laugh.
The warmth and friendliness of the people of Melbourne had cut through her bones.
I also felt sad and promised that we will go back to Melbourne more often. 

Elections Regionales a Rodrigues - Victoire de l'OPR

OPR back in control of the Rodrigues Regional Assembly.
 I was in Mauritius in December 2011 and as a journalist, I discussed many things with my colleagues over there from L'Express, Le Mauricien, Weekend and Radio One.
I  know in Mauritius the journalists are well informed, they have many sources and their informations are pretty accurate.
As politics is the main game in Mauritius, we also touched on the situation in Rodrigues.
They were all adamant that Serge Clair will make a comeback. I was not so convinced, because Navin Ramgoolam had made Nicholas Vonmally, Minister for Rodrigues and as his party was in control of the Rodrigues Regional Assembly. The Mouvement Rodriguais had the upper hand on Rodrigues' business and were free to do whatever they wanted there.
This state of affairs was consolidated by Navin's nomination of Christain Leopold, another member of MR, as Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry for Rodrigues. This was another plus for the MR.
What I did not know and did not consider, was that  MR was administering Rodrigues in a very lavish style and favouring their people and political agents to the extreme. Those who are not on their side were marginalised. There was a climate of fear among public servants in patricular, and the public in general. Some were even comparing the atmosphere as tense, leaning towards dictatorship.
There was a sense of disbelief among the people and, silently they were not approving  the practice of favouritism and waste of public funds for their own benefits by the Commissioners. Some of the them were involved in corruptions and business of dodgy sorts, pocketing money indirectly from public funds and directly from business people for favours.
The removal of Johnson Roussety from the post of Chief Commissioner and his replacement by Gaetan Jabimissar did not change the prevailing atmosphere and the style of MR government.
I also read from an interview with a respected lawyer in Mauritius, Robert Ahnee, that the Minister for Rodrigues was very unpopular there. "Il n'est pas aime" he said. He was confident that Serge Clair and his party would make a comeback.
The electoral campaign was not a long one; it was even disrupted by a cyclone.
Many things came to the surface during the campaign. While the OPR was campaigning on self reliance and responsibility, the MR was campaigning on more reliance on the Mauritian government to provide more for Rodrigues. The MR was said to be echoing policies of Mauritian parties like the Labour Party and the Parti Mauricien Social Democrate. The MR is considered to be  their little brother i.e part of the same family.
The people of Rodrigues could be poor but they are proud. Turning them into beggars and making them feel inferior, do not go well with them. One politician even say " we are already poor, but we cannot be poorer if we do not rely on Mauritius." This is symbolic of their pride.
The MR used big logistics, money and bribes to buy votes during their campaign. According to a lady (quoted in L"Express -comments), they have never seen so much money floating around and so many gifts and "bagaz" given during an election campaign.
The OPR went about their business of talking frankly and sincerely to the people. Their team was young with many new comers who carried no scars of past political activities They could not be criticised of any previous maladministration or accused of corruptions.
On the other hand,  most of the candidates of the MR have been in power before, in one way or another. The strategy of having candidates with experience was  probably miscalculated.
The victory of the OPR is more the result of honesty and sincerity. It proved that money can't buy people's conscience and ask them to swallow their pride. This victory of OPR symbolises that money cannoy buy everything.
The MR thought that because one is poor , one has to succumb to the whims and wills of the rich.They were well entrenched in their ivory towers, enjoying a good life with all the privileges, at the expense of the people. They relied on propaganda and persuasion with material means.
On the 5 of February 2012, the people of Rodrigues cast their votes. The democratic process  delivered The OPR as winner and the voice of the people should be respected. Vox Populi Vox Dei.
There should be no boycott from the Central Government which should work in harmony, mutual respect and collaboration with the new Regional Government for the betterment of the people of Rodrigues.
The Prime Minister of Mauritius (and Rodrigues), should act with dignity and statesmanship beyond political considerations. I expect Navin Ramgoolam and Serge Clair to engage in a dialogue as soon as possible and on a regular and continuous basis with dignity and respect.
A democratic government is for all people, with all people, not only for a few and for friends.

Mauritius, democracy and the Independent Press

During my stay in Mauritius I had the priviledge to meet many journalists. As a journalist, I take much pleasure discussing with them and obtaining updates of the local scene.They all have their views and corners to analyse and interprete events, mainly politics.
I take the view that the Independent Press in Mauritius; L'express, Le Mauricien, Radio One and Radio Plus perform their role of Educating, Informing and Entertaining the public very well.
My strongest observation is that, without the Independent Press, Mauritians would be ill-informed as
news are actually manipulated by the Government TV and Newspapers.
The Independent Press are preventing Mauritius drifting into a dictatorship of the model of Cuba, Zimbabwe, North Korea, or China. Already the Government is boycotting some of them!
While there is freedom of speech in Mauritius, most people are afraid to speak out their minds and openly criticise the Government and the prevailing high level of corruptions.
I also had the opportunity of interviewing  one of the most respected journalist, Mr Finlay Salesse.
He one of the rare to call a spade a spade and go where others fear to tread.
His show on Radio One from 9 to 11 a.m every weekdays is probably the most listened program.
"Enquete En directe" - is the voice of the people of Mauritius, a voice and a platform for those who have no voice, those who are not listened to, those that are neglected and turned down by the Government Public Servants, those who are in need of support and protection, those who have been lied and duped by politicians, those who suffer from discrimination, and many others who find in " Enquete en Directe" an SOS, une bouee de sauvetage.
If you would like to have a copy of Finlay's analysis of the social and political situation of Mauritius, please do not hesitate to contact me at georgydelamare@yahoo.com

Journalism and technology

The impact of digital technology on journalism and media producers.

The advent of new technology has surely led to a new trend in journalism by what is called convergence.This is moving away from the traditional form of reporting on the print and paper format, or tabloid, to posting articles, videos and images online. It urges jornalists to develop new skills or becoming multiskilling.
The journalist, going out for a story, will not only have his pen and notebook but also his camera, videocamera, microphone and recorder all packed in a bag.
This new way of reporting and posting news stories online meets the concept of how the audience will now access the news.
News can now be accessed on the mobile phone, on ipads or personal computers instantly. The audience does not have to wait till the hour to  hear the latest news on radio or wait till they get home to watch TV or wait the next morning till the paper is published.
Depending on its preference and circumstances, the audience will also choose the format or again one form where he or she obtains more gratification.
In terms of Media producers, it also introduce a different way of producing news in various ways using new technology to capture a bigger audience.The new media now allows a greater exposure for advertising a product or service.

The Mauritian parliament: A real circus.

I had the opportunity of assisting a session of the Legislative Assembly while in Mauritius.
I was shocked, and at the same time appalled, by the level of debate which I witnessed.
Only a handful of the parliamentarians are good and they are mainly from the MMM ranks.
Paul Beranger is outstanding and serious, well prepared and documented. Without him, (and Rajesh and Kee Cheong) that assembly  would  be like a Spanish Auberge or a street corner debate or what I hear kot marchand journal dan gran matin.
Anyway Question time was dull and boring. Some MLAs cannot properly frame a question, let alone speak English properly. Ms Anquetil, from the majority, was reading a question prepared in all intance and purposes, by the Minister to whom she was asking the question. This was so obvious. Watching the difficulty she encountered in asking supplementary questions, I wonder why she had to speak in English when she had been to Le Lycee Labourdonais ?
Another one, Nando Bhoda was reprimanded by the speaker, as he could not make the distinction between a question and a statement!! He was enmeshed in his questions/statements while trying to defend his poor record as Minister for Tourism and the flop concert at La Citadelle.
Some Ministers of the Government overtly displayed their lack of skills in answering questions, forgetting that they are accountable to the general public. Misleading Parliament is an offence under the Westminster system. Answers have to be accurate, clear and explanatory to the nation.
I was very surprised to see how most of the ministers do not have command of their respective portfolios. Some cannot even read and speak proper English. Zot koz anglais en Kreol. It would be better for them to speak in Kreol.
Some Minsters evaded questions and were vague in their answers. This practice is reprehensible if not disgusting. The nation need to know how public finance is used and not abused.
Misters of Navin Ramgoolam Government are definitely very incompetent from what I saw and heard. They are more of a shame to the nation. Mauritius deserves better.
The  PM is to be blamed, for choosing such a bunch of incompetents to be in cabinet and responsible for the running of the country. BBJ, among others, needs to seriously consider his retirement as he was inaudible and so brief. It is clear cut that some Ministers are there for specific reasons i.e to make hay while the sun shines. However, according to public opinion, their suns are setting...
The government team is so bad that there is urgent need for general elections. But instead Navin is unashamedly fishing for transfuges to consolidate his slim majority.
Navin was right when he declared that his team is weak. He should add incompetent as well.

Time to get out of Afghanistan

JULIA Gillard has used a surprise visit to Afghanistan to praise the bravery of our troops just over a week after three Diggers were killed in a shock attack. (The Daily telegraph)

It is now ten years since our troops have been fighting in Afghanistan under difficult circumstances which have caused many casualties. Soldiers as young as 22 years old were killed by the Talibans and lately 3 of our boys were shot by a soldier of the Afghan army. Today (9 November 2011) another three were shot and wounded, again by an Afghan soldier.
Our involvement in Afghanistan is supported by Tony Abbott (the opposition) and Julia Gillard (the government) which means that they are both equally responsible for the killings of our soldiers. They  have blood on their hands and will have to answer.
On my radio programs I have long advocated that we should get out of Afghanistan. It  makes no difference whether we leave now on in 2014. The USA, France, Canada, Netherlands, Italy among others, have started pulling their troops out. Our Prime Minister and Opposition Leader are still insisting that we have to complete the mission. Which mission ?
We went into Afghanistan after September 11 in the broader strategy of "War on Terror." Afghanistan was a hub of terrorists and the base of Al-Qaeda. It was also their training camps not to say their breeding grounds. The multinational troops succeeded in outsing the Talibans from power and destroyed to some extent, the training camps of the terrorists.
But the fight was hard for our soldiers despite their military technologies. The Talibans know the "ground" too well as they have been fighting the Soviets there for years and won.
They have a ground advantage and control the mountains. The  border between Pakistan and Afghanistan is under the full control of the Talibans. They even control parts of Pakistan.
The Pakistan government is also unable to control the Talibans; worse, some of its intelligence is collaborating with the Talibans. This is how many Al-Qaida leaders were hiding in Pakistan.
The killing of Bin Laden was a big victory for USA and the West in their war on terror. There is no doubt that Al Qaeda, as an organisation, is now weakened. Many of its leaders have been killed and the rest are being monitored closely.
The West's armies won some victories but will not win the war in Afghanistan. They know they cannot win the war and negotiations have started with the Talibans. The killings of soldiers from within, show that their intelligence is also not efficient. Many Afghan soldiers who still have allegiance to the Talibans, have infiltrated the Afghan army.
Millions if not billions of dollars have been spent and there is no winning signs. There is  no way of establishing democracy in Afghanistan, just as it is in any other Muslim countries. The Talibans are extreme Islamists fundamentalists and they want Afghanistan to be an Islamic state.
Amid Kazay has failed as a leader, his government is corrupt and has corrupted the two or three general elections held there. He will not survive politically when the troops are gone.
It is time for Australian troops to leave Afghanistan, just as we left Iraq after a failed mission. Leave now or later makes no difference. Bagdad, after the intervention of the West, is now the most dangerous city in the world which means that we achieved nothing.
Kabul will never be a peaceful city neither. So it is better for the Afghan to decide on their fate and how they want their country to be ruled. It is pointless to fight an unwinnable war. Time to get out NOW.
GDL. Twitter: @louisdelamare

Comments form Marie Armitage
Salut,

Everytime there is another victim in Afganistan, emotion runs high and the debate about bringing the soldiers back home comes up. I am normally a pacifist but there must be a good reason why the Australian troops are still there. Anyway I hope there is. I believe if there is no presence at all in that part of the world, it will quickly breed those murderous fundamentalists again. It is hard already to control them because of the traiterous geological terrains. Nobody can go in those mountains. What will be the consequence of the troops pulling out? Soldiers, and their loved ones and the Government know the risks of this vocation. If Alqaida breeds there again, then all those who have lost their lives would have been in vain.
What is the west doing to control Pakistan. Control Pakistan, then pull out of Afganistan.

In reference to Baghdad being the most dangerous city in the world, well at least there is a spirit of rebuilding and when talking to those living in Baghdad, you can feel that there is hope. We must not forget that under Sadam regime, not all parts of the country was peaceful as we all know.

M.