Independence Day, or when we celebrate every year since 1968 instead of watching the sci-fi movie

Mauritius is located in a key position in the Indian Ocean. It was known as the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean, quite a title for such a small island. Such was its importance that many conquering nations sought to make it theirs. According to some sources, it was discovered by the Arabs. Or the Portuguese. They all loved it as it was a good supply for fresh water, wood, meat, and just about everything they needed on their trips as they sailed round the Cape of Good Hope on the way to India. The first colonizers were the Dutch (or like some people call them, the same ******** who caused our Dodo to become extinct), who actually left after exploiting the island. Then the British took it, with whom the French battled to gain its possession. These two fought again, only for the British to win it back this time. The latter were the last colonizers as Mauritius obtained its independence on the 12th of March 1968 (quite an eventful year History-wise). Mauritius then became a Republic in 1992.

How is Independence Day celebrated in Mauritius? Typically, the media will start making waves a week or two in advance, being full of “100% Mauritian” ads from supermarkets (100% Mauritian products), restaurants (100% Mauritian meals), soirées (100% Mauritian theme), concerts (100% Mauritian music), etc. Some shops will start having stands selling local artisanal products or National flags, or four-colored cakes – just like the Mauritian flag.  The local TV channel may go as far as proposing many films on Independence (mostly that of India, not only because the majority of the population is of Indian descent, but also because Bollywood has been making brickloads of movies on the matter since yesteryear). People will even start ‘talking’ about Independence a lot, mostly on their social network pages.  In short, the whole island will display a facade of pure patriotism for a week or two at most.

Those who are the most thrilled by Independence Day are not Politicians, or Historians, or Comics, or Writers, or whatever, but rather young school children! They get all squirmy in their seats just like when they are holding off to go to the bathroom when the teacher tells them Independence Day is coming, perhaps also because they may actually have to go to the bathroom.  However, the main reason why they get all fidgety is not from pride for their country and its accomplishments but rather because the last weekday right before the 12th of March will be only half a school day and they will receive pastries, soft drinks, and miniature flags. For a whole week preceding 12/03/XX, school children practice aligning themselves in the school yard to sing the National Anthem, with regular daily practice till everything is near-perfect (This is important as each school usually hosts a Guest of Honor). Leaving class to go practice alignment and singing means not being in class and is also generally fun as they get to see their friends from other classes standing in line right next to them. What better opportunity for a quick pull-your-friend’s-hair-and-hide-before-teacher-sees?

Adults will probably spend the day at work worrying what to do when their kid finishes school early while they have to stay at work till evening.  Some may have an “Independence Lunch” to celebrate, i.e., do the same thing as everyday and eat their homemade sandwiches but only this time, they will talk about how beautiful the weather is that day and how much prices have gone up.  When they get home at night, they are usually bombarded by news and pictures of members of the Government doing nice things (i.e. cutting red ribbons, visiting disadvantaged people, lip-syncing speeches at associations, etc.) on TV.

Then, come the 12th of Match, everybody spends the day recovering from the busy week preceding that day.