MT: Mirror of its Times

MT @ 70

By Somduth Bhuckory

I came back to Mauritius after completing my study in London in July. The Mauritius Times appeared in August in the same year. Before it celebrated its first anniversary, I had become one of its regular contributors.

From the day it was born, Mauritius Times was a paper with a mission. As an opinion paper, it aimed at moulding public opinion. The best English pens were to join forces with it in furthering the cause of socialism in this country and in fighting enemies of progress.

It should not be forgotten that Mauritius Times came into existence in Mauritius which was very different from what it is today. Thirty-five years ago, the political struggle was uppermost in the minds of the people. That was the time when universal adult suffrage was unknown here, and therefore the masses were not actively participating in public life.

The spirit of co-existence which is so much in evidence today was conspicuous by its absence. Even the majority community had to experience all sorts of onslaughts on its religion, language and culture.

That was the time when NMU was spitting his venom from the columns of Le Cernéen. He was unable to accept the rise of other political forces, and he used to distill his hatred daily. He was obsessed with Hindu hegemony. I remember an editorial of him which was published shortly after my return “Le désir de s’élever“. He found it strange why the children of the common man should be anything but common. NMU did everything in his power to stifle Mauritius Times which had become a thorn in his flesh. He used to call it “feuille de chou.” Little did he think that the “feuille de chou” was going one day to outlive his own paper. Vanity and prejudice had made him blind.

Taking all the foregoing into account, it can be imagined what an uphill task Mauritius Times had before it. What is remarkable is that it accepted the challenge and it has never swerved from its path of duty.

The credit for this should go first of all to Beekrumsing Ramlallah. We all know that it is not easy to run an English paper. One cannot help admiring therefore his undaunted courage and his unflinching perseverance. Hats off to him!

One of the prominent contributors of Mauritius Times has been D. Napal. His series of articles on Mauritian history broke new ground indeed. His was not the beaten track. He shed a new light on our history in a way that had a popular appeal. It is a pity that Napal’s articles have not been published in book form.

The makers of Mauritius Times were mostly young people, but they wrote with such a conviction that they did not fail to command the attention of their elders. And they wrote on all the burning problems of the day. It can be said without any hesitation that they contributed in no small measure in infusing their youthful vigour into public life.

The appeal of Mauritius Times was so great that even a seasoned writer like J.N. Roy could not resist it. When I think of his contributions, the titles of two his articles come to my mind: “Hang the Hindu” and “Publish and be damned!”

The success of Mauritius Times in the early years was also due to a cartoonist, Krishna. His weekly cartoon was a feature to which people looked forward eagerly to enjoy. Krishna conveyed more by his few lines than what many words could ever express. I still remember vividly his cartoons “Le Renard et le Bouc” and “Ministerial Carrots”.

Thirty-five years have gone by, but fortunately, the struggle has not been in vain. The achievements of Mauritius Times are there for all to be told. Mauritius Times has been the mirror of its times. I am sure that writers of Mauritian history will find a mine of information in its files.

The good work has to go on of course, and it will go on. And so, while I say “Many Happy Returns of the Day”, I also say “Bon Courage!”.

Somduth Bhuckory’s recollections were published in the Mauritius Times of Friday 17 August 1984 in our 30^th Special Anniversary Issue

Mauritius Times Online Friday 6 September 2024