Some hundred and fifty years ago, our forefathers came over as artisans, slaves or labourers. They started building up this country at the sweat of their brow and under the strict control of their masters who made sure they kept recreating themselves by providing them with the bare minimum in terms of basic needs. Those of our ancestors, who were meek by nature, suffered under their heavy yoke; others fled to die a miserable death. 

All of them ate whatever came their way–which was not much but just enough to recreate themselves for the benefit of the planters. But the name of God was always on their lips. They were honest, yes, honest! Our historians have yet to retrieve cases of theft among these early founders of Mauritius. Alas! What has befallen this gallant race? Leaving behind the pristine values transmitted to them, successive generations starting from the early nineteen sixties have undergone a slow process of decay – inordinate greed for money, yes, an insatiable thirst for easy money from which a minority are struggling to extricate themselves. 

At this point in time a number of scenarios are available to these few – swim against the tide, whatever happens or give in. The latter group might decide: “if you can’t beat them join them” or “when in Rome, do as the Romans.” The vast majority of our citizens have been trapped in the rat-race, the scramble for wealth, the excessive accumulation of money very often – and for obvious reasons – outside the banking system and the formal investment schemes. What have we witnessed recently? Two Mauritian ladies engaged in contraband of gold to Mumbai sullying the reputation of our countrymen ! Unscrupulous people promising fabulous returns on investments to the seemingly intelligent men and women whose gullibility can only be matched by their greed for quick gains; thousands of people queuing up each week to waste their hard earned money on lotteries, lotto and other such confidence tricks. 

These very people vehemently protest at the least suggestion of a government tax. And here they are, in the manner of meek lambs, voluntarily exposing their necks to the government axe and parting with huge sums of money and depriving their children of nutritive food. Money has become our god, supplanting the gods left to us by our forbears. It is unfair that government departs from its primary function of education and engages in the promotion of our worst instincts just to obtain money for its services. The media has this week announced the comeback of the Millionaire on TV. We shall continue to lure people to perdition by the creation of a few millionaires every week while thousands live in abject poverty. 

For how long will a handful of greedy people exploit vast tracts of our prime land – our commonwealth – to their advantage while paying peanuts to their employees? For how long will Mauritian business lure foreign workers to our island with false promises? And to live in inhuman conditions far away from their loved ones? Have they sold their souls to Mammon? Would we like our children to be treated in the same way? Of course, not! Where are our ancestral values – generosity, charity, humanity, solidarity and all those other qualities that endeared us to the world? Are we becoming as hard hearted as our concrete buildings? All these questions need to challenge parents, religious leaders, teachers, social workers and, above all political leaders. Otherwise, Mammon will continue to triumph over us all. Note: I wish to hail all my compatriots who are engaged in the battle against greed at the expense of the multitude.