Human beings believe that the world is theirs for the taking. It is the privilege of intelligence. Consequently, the land, sea, air and space (the whole of creation) is their God-given patrimony for their enjoyment. This is how they read the holy texts. Is there a different way of looking at our so-called rights? Yes, there is.

According to great visionaries, luminaries and intellectuals, we have more duties than rights. According to the old mindset which still determines behaviour, ‘might is right’. The strong tribe has no qualms about subduing and exploiting the weak one. The powerful country has no qualms about invading and pillaging weaker countries. The macho has no qualms about harassing, bullying, raping, molesting and killing weaker people, especially women and children. Intelligent creatures should use their intelligence to behave more intelligently. They should know that all over the universe, intelligent species have clear duties to perform. The first duty is to know ‘oneself’ and find out how it all started. Did the Big Bang start by itself or was it the product of a will? Are we here to enjoy the fruits of creation or should we consider ourselves as stewards of creation? What are the main duties of Earth stewards?

The economic system which now dominates the planet with its Trump, Xi Jinping, Putin, Netanyahu, Modi, Bolsonaro and other devotees of Mammon spells ruin and desolation for 99% of the world population and opulence and luxury for 1%. In Mauritius, all main political parties are agents of greedy and selfish Mammon and Mauritian big money is tied up with world big money.

God gave us a garden and now it’s turning into a graveyard. This was the message of Pope Francis and not ‘Keep Mauritius clean to attract tourists’ but our political, economic and religious leaders chose to hear the latter.

Instead of singing the praise of power, I prefer to sing with Bob Dylan and think of the new world of solidarity and sharing we have to build for our grandchildren.

How many roads must
a man walk down
Before you call him a man
How many seas must a white dove sail

Before she sleeps in the sand
Yes, ‘n’ how many times must the cannon balls fly

Before they’re forever banned
The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind

The answer is blowin’ in the wind
Yes, ‘n’ how many years can a mountain exist

Before it’s washed to the sea
Yes, ‘n’ how many years can some people exist

Before they’re allowed to be free
Yes, ‘n’ how many times can a man turn his head

And pretend that he just doesn’t see
The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind

The answer is blowin’ in the wind
Yes, ‘n’ how many times must a man look up

Before he can see the sky
Yes, ‘n’ how many ears must one man have

Before he can hear people cry
Yes, ‘n’ how many deaths will it take till he knows

That too many people have died
The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind

The answer is blowin’ in the wind

I can also sing it in Mauritian:
So repons pe santé dan divan

Komie mil ki nou bizen krazé
Avan ki zot rekonet nou
Komie brizan nou bizen traversé
Pou ki nou kapav repozé
Ki kantité bom nou bizen zeté
Avan ki lapé triyonfé
So repons matlo pe santé dan divan
So repons pe santé dan divan

Komie letan enn montagn dibouté
Avan ki bann vag aval li
Komie letan dimoun bizen soufer
Avan ki bann lasenn kasé
Komie letan nou pou tourn nou lizié
Fer kwar ki nou pa pe trouvé
So repons matlo pe santé dan divan
So repons pe santé dan divan

Komie letan nou bizen get lao
Avan nou dekouver lesiel
Komie zorey ki nou tou nou bizen
Avan nou tann zanfan ploré
Komie disan ki nou bizen versé
Pou ki nou kriye for “Asé!”
So repons matlo pe santé dan divan
So repons pe santé dan divan