Nori

Nori is my fictitious name. I have depicted the narrative of my life mostly in Mauritius where I was born. In the 1940s and 1950s, life was simple on the Island. There were not many people around, circumstances were different, maybe harsh for some. We all had to struggle because of economic and cultural pressures which affected everyone. People were poor because not many doors were open for developing skills, or unlocking potentials. With high unemployment soon after the biggest cyclone, Carol, had devastated the Island, most youngsters were looking for a kick start to make a new beginning. The construction industry was calling out for workers to revamp this small but slowly developing island. However, people were not interested in working for the construction industry, because the means were not available to make this line of work sustainable for growing families with mouths to feed and children to clothe. Consequently, the progress to build new homes and roads was slow. It seemed that the whole Island would take time to recover from the impact of the cyclone's devastation.The era for change didn't arrive until the early 1960s. The Mauritius that was 'dull' and 'boring' for some, suddenly awoke with news from abroad, from Europe especially. There was a shortage of man power to work in the construction industry there to help build infrastructure. People seemed willing to work abroad as the pay seemed to be more. There was more job security, and the opportunities to move to a thriving Western country was appealing, away from the familial and cultural constraints of the island. As a result, emigration became a new trend and many Mauritians seemed to be on the move. Some went for the short-term construction jobs, but the majority went for longer term nursing careers, a career that they could continue with, should they wish to come home. But coming back wasn't on the cards for many who found life abroad more exciting.I took up nursing as a career because, apart from the reasons I outlined, I had no hope of finding work in Mauritius. I saw lots of youngsters with educational backgrounds like my own, roaming the streets, dejected and unmotivated. I could have stayed in Mauritius, but the thrill of emigration was too strong. I didn't want to miss the boat and so I followed the trend.You may wonder how some families and schools could treat children as cruely as described in this book. It was the norm during those difficult times. Today, we would rarely expect such dynamics under similar circumstances. But it wasn't all bad because, in the majority of cases, there was respect for our elders, an ethos which, as an elder today, I wish was more widespread. In some one-off incidents, like in my case, we found some rebelled. For me, it was because I was being deprived of the liberty of playing with my peers.Mauritius today is a far cry from what it was when I was growing up. New roads have been built and vast shopping precincts populate the big cities. The beautiful, idyllic scenery, especially by the sea-side, touches peoples hearts. It is a modern world paradise. It is also safe to say that the old Mauritian lifestyle is rapidly fading, with the growing economy and the blooming tourist industry. I do mean 'blooming' in every sense of the word as the island is akin to a paradise.Still at the back of my mind, I always spare a thought for our elders, whose dreams for a better Mauritius have now materialised. I hope that their hard work to raise their children through thick and thin, hasn't gone unnoticed. How delightful it is to see children who went abroad during the hard times, have now returned with families of their own, and with money to spend. Many of those that preferred to stay behind, found employment in newly created jobs. But the legacy behind the newly found development and wealth are the thoughts and visions of our long gone ancestors, some of whom came to the island in the 19th century, no better than slaves.