Mauritius

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Mauritius has always been seen as a happening tourist destination. But this island nation is much more than being a breathtaking landscape. In the present study, the history of Mauritius, its multi-cultural socio- political identity, the political and administrative set up, its economic profile, its links with the Indian civilization impinging upon its culture and customs etc., have been presented in a simple but analytical manner. The book takes the reader away from the tourist's guidebook syndrome and actually helps them engage with the complex but vibrant society of this island nation.

Amit Kumar Mishra is presently working as an Assistant Professor at the Centre for Study of Indian Diaspora, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad. After obtaining the doctoral degree on Indian Labour Diaspora in Mauritius from the Centre for Historical Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University (New Delhi), he worked at the National University of Singapore before moving to Hyderabad. He has published articles on related themes and is currently preparing a manuscript mapping the transformation of Indian labour Diaspora in Mauritius.

After circumnavigating the globe by steamship in 1897, noted American writer, Mark Twain, wrote in his travelogue, Following the Equator: A Journey Around the World, "You gather the idea that Mauritius was made first, and then heaven; and that heaven was copied after Mauritius." This beautiful poetic depiction of Mauritius is indisputably true for a tourist who visits the island for a short vacation. However, beyond this picturesque portrayal which has been repeatedly cited on the promotional literature of Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority, Mauritius is a real geo- political entity and as a matter of fact, unlike heaven, it also blotches with real political, economic and social realities and concerns, human disillusionment, discontent, unpleasant conditions, and harsh realities which are not necessarily pleasing and in tune with Mark Twain's depiction. However, the purpose of putting forth this counterpoise is not to undermine the exquisite aesthetics, natural splendour and success of Mauritius but only to underline the very fact that we must study Mauritius as a 'real' nation state which has accomplished a lot since the beginning of human inhabitation there and more particularly during last four decades since independence, but which has a lot more to accomplish in the course of time.