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MY EXPERIENCE AT MAURITIUS

I had the opportunity to visit Mauritius for a few days along with a few devotees from Goa. I am sharing my experience of being in this small island in the middle of the Indian Ocean for those who haven't had the opportunity to be here. Mauritius is very much like India or more specific, very much like Goa but it is definitely more beautiful than Goa. 

THE BLUE ISLAND
One of the most striking feature of this place that really stands out is the colour of the ocean here. The crystal blue, transparent, aqua, turquoise waters of it's ocean has the power to mesmerize anyone. No wonder, why people from all over the world flock to this island for recreation. God's wonders are just amazing. How He creates so many different oceans with so many different colours and shades. Speaking of the wonder of God, another wonder of this island is that at different places in this small island, the temperature and the climate is different. It is called micro-climate.

THE CLEAN ISLAND
The other very striking feature of this country is the way the Government of Mauritius has achieved remarkable success in maintaining this place clean and tidy in spite of the constant influx of tourists throughout the year. Not one beach is dirty, not one plastic littered here and there. So much different than the public cleanliness standards in India which is comparison is pathetic. Can't just give credit to the Government here or the blame the Government of India. I think it has got a lot to do with the mindset of the people in the respective countries. India and Indians definitely have a lot to learn from Mauritians at least in this aspect. 

THE GREEN ISLAND
Also, how the Government of Mauritius has been able to strike a perfect balance between urbanisation and maintaining the natural greenery is remarkable. It shows that Government has clearly defined policies to protect the environment and not strip everything off in the name of urbanisation like it happens in India. This is also one reason why people prefer to come here. One really feels one with nature in this country. The roads and traffic is very well organized. Perfect and neat roads with sign boards at every turn, traffic lights which regulate the traffic meticulously. No honking, no traffic congestion, everything smooth and the best part is that the police is hardly visible. Just driving in the smooth roads with greenery all around is a thrilling experience. The Government is so committed to maintain the natural environment of this country that even the mobile towers are designed to look like a huge palm trees. Until one carefully observes them, it is very difficult to tell that they are actually mobile towers. 
 

THE RECREATION ISLAND
One of the main source of income for the country being through importing of sugarcane, one finds sugarcane cultivation throughout the country. In fact, Mauritius appears to be one big sugarcane field. Even though this place is very far off from India, one can still find a spiritual connection to India. Practically outside every house of a Hindu in Mauritius there is a small temple of Hanumaji. Something, that is not seen even in India. Even though there is Vedic culture still active here, one thing I strongly felt was that the further you go away from India, the more difficult it gets to practice spiritual life. The land of India is best suited for spiritual life compared to lands outside India. Material life may be great in Mauritius or other foreign countries but for spiritual life, India is the best. You realise the value of the land of India only when you experience life outside India. Being filled with beautiful scenic settings and first class beaches with blue waters, there is a natural mood of enjoyment and fun that permeates this place. Everyone here is always in a constant picnic mood. 

THE KRISHNA CONSCIOUS ISLAND
Despite all the odds, ISKCON devotees are doing their best to preach in this island and they have achieved a great amount of success with three beautiful temples and many small preaching centers all over the place. Having around 3000 devotes connected to ISKCON is not an easy task. It was the great desire of Srila Prabhupada to see Mauritius become the first Krishna conscious country in the world. The power of that one desire of a pure devotee is felt strongly when one sees the preaching happening in this country with one's own eyes. There is a long way still to go but if the devotees continue pushing on the way they have been doing, I am sure it will not take a long time till Srila Prabhupada's prediction comes true.

THE LAND BEYOND THIS ISLAND
Mauritius is definitely a very beautiful place to be in and it has definitely won my heart but I also realize that being a part of this material world, the laws of this world are going to act on it. As Krishna mentions in the Bhagvat-gita 8.16

ā-brahma-bhuvanāl lokāḥ
punar āvartino ’rjuna

"From the highest planet in the material world down to the lowest, all are places of misery wherein repeated birth and death take place."

Mauritius is good but it is not the best because it cannot satisfy the soul. Our soul can experience satisfaction only in the spiritual world swimming in the crystal clear, nectarean ocean of devotional service. Just imagine, if Mauritius which is a tiny island in the tiny earth planet can give one so much joy, how much joy one can experience if one reaches the limitless spiritual world. Let this thought inspire all of us to practice Krishna consciousness more enthusiastically. 


- Achyut Gopal Das

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