The Making of Mauritius
Moonindra Nath Varma

It is equally the exciting story of a class struggle that led to the foundation of the Labour Party, followed by the 1937 and 1943 strikes that sowed the seeds of democracy and socialism.

Cultural pluralism and unity in diversity are the guilding principles of the multi-racial, multi-religious and multi-lingual people of this country. The author has shown how the General Population (Afro-Euro group), the Indo-Mauritian Hindus, the Indo-Mauritian Muslims and the Chinese have appreciation for one another's religious beliefs and cultural values.

The author has referred to many distinguished personalities, some of whom worked in their respective fields for religious, cultural, educational, social, economic, administrative, political and constitutional developments. Several committees, commissions and conferences also contributed their share.This is the essence of the book. However, a few others, in their wisdom, chose to do whatever they could to oppose changes in certain sectors. Despite that Mauritius moved ahead to its destination. Moreover, the merit of the book also lies in its description how Port Louis, as port and capital, occupied a strategic place in the Indian Ocean and was used as a gateway to India. At one time sugar was the white gold of Mauritius. Almost all reforms, whether in the economic field or in the social service sector, largely depended on it. The author has traced the history of the sugar industry to situate the place it once occupied in the life of all the people of this country. The independence of Mauritius on March 12, 196
8 was the most important event since its discovery in 1507. The author recalls several momentous events of the struggle led by the leaders who were for or against it and concludes that goodwill prevailed thereafter.