Youth debate: Wishes for 2017

As 2016 draws to an end, News On Sunday sought the views of some young professionals regarding their wishes for 2017. For some people, 2016 has been excellent in all spheres of life while others have experienced disappointments. 

Faizal Auckburally: “A better year with more improvement” 

Faculty Representative of Engineering at the University of Mauritius, Faizal wishes to see Mauritius as a more united and peaceful country. “Many would wish for expensive gifts or unlimited entertainment, but however, we should never forget those parents who cannot afford to buy gifts for their children. My wish for them is that their lives are improved by God’s grace and that they are helped in any situation they face. There are some important lessons to be learned from the past: whether you win or lose, it is the learning that matters at the end of each year. I wish for a better year, one in which I can improve myself further, one in which I can do more than what I have done and achieved in 2016 and I believe everyone thinks and will do the same. No matter how hard the past had been, no matter what struggles and difficulties you have gone through, always keep on believing, and put the past behind you, you can always begin.” 

Nushrath Maghoo: “Dream big in 2017” 

Make up artist, beauty therapist and cosmetologist Nushrath Maghoo wishes that 2017 brings achievements that we have never seen before. “Whenever a New Year approaches, we have a new set of resolutions. New Year will inspire us to spread happiness all around. I hope this New Year brings tremendous joy and good luck that will help us to achieve more success.  Personally, my 2017 motto will definitely be: dream big! It is not important how big our goals and dreams are, the thing that is important is how we are going to work hard to reach them and render them true.  We need to always be prepared to shoulder our responsibilities. My advice is to divide the goals into short as well as long term goals. Draft an action plan to achieve small goals and root strongly for long term goals. Because no one is born to be ordinary, we are all born to shine and excel in what we do!” 

Deegesh Maywah: “Conquer and confront social problems” 

The Queen Young Leader 2016, Deegesh, wishes that the year 2017 brings joy, peace, prosperity and good health in everyone’s lives. Marking the beginning of an era, it is not only an occasion for friends and family to come together, exchange gifts, and enjoy traditional delicacies. It is also a time to reflect on the values of peace, harmony, tolerance, and reconciliation. These are the challenges of our age. Whether we put up with poverty – or put an end to it, ignore the glass ceiling – or smash it, abandon the unemployed – or help make them a career. There is just one thing that drives me: what is best for the national interest of our country? But in the end, it will be for the people to decide: is our economic and national security evolving in a dangerous world? We also go into the year confronting some deep social problems that have blighted our country for too long. I want 2017 to be the time when we really start to conquer them – a crucial year in this great turnaround decade.” 

Viveksingh Urjoon: “Less road accidents and no poverty” 

Winner of JCI The Outstanding Young Person of the Year 2016, Viveksingh Urjoon wishes to see a peaceful Mauritius with zero crime, less road accidents and no poverty. “I wish to see young people being trained and provided with the right skills. The population should be relatively self sufficient and find solutions to their problems rather than depend on politicians for help. In 2017, I wish to see a real and meritocratic Mauritius prevailing where each person is assessed as per her/his academic qualifications or hard work and not because of political affiliation, caste or clan,” he avers. He also hopes to see older generations of politicians retire and help the younger ones to pave the way forward. 

Vanisha Rajaysur: “A more positive year” 

30-year old Vanisha is a passionate active citizen of JCI City Plus. As the 2016 Project Director of the campaign “Aret Violence – Name & Shame”, she envisions the year 2017 as a positive year whereby additional efforts will be brought forward to bring more smiles and comforts to women and children who are in great distress and facing the daily agony of Domestic Violence. “Everybody can wish something good for others but what matters is what we are really doing to bring value to what we have wished for. Being also an advocate of “peace is possible”, I wish that the victims of domestic violence could at least have a peaceful mind and live a “fear- free” life. Although difficult, they have to muster courage and say “Stop,” as the consequences will be very destructive, especially for young, growing children. There is the risk of developing health and psychological issues, even leading to the demise of the young person.”

According to her, just making wishes does not help. More importantly, we all need to align the hands, minds but also the hearts of all Mauritians to curb the problem of Domestic Violence. “Each woman & child should be valued, as their place is not under the feet of male dominators.” She and her team aim to continue the hard work of achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals No 5, “Gender & Equality”, by ensuring sustainability.  “When there is light in this world, one should never let himself or herself be overwhelmed by darkness. All we need to do is to wipe their tears and hold the hand of that angel who is bringing the light in their lives,” she concludes.