26th June’2017 happened to be the 57th
independence day of Madagascar! Madagascar has been our home for the past two
years and now we have entered the third year. Probably barring the US, nowhere
else we have seen so much enthusiasm associated with Independence Day, as in
Madagascar. In India Independence day is just another day, wherein one gets a
day as holiday so that people can wake up late and watch TV etc. In Madagascar,
whether one is rich or poor he cares to hoist a flag week in advance in their
home as well as in offices. Some amount is being paid to employees as a good
will gesture for them to indulge in Crackers, feast, social calling, decoration
etc.
This year the independence happened to follow a Sunday and
therefore it was a long weekend. We happened to travel to some remote place in
Madagascar and we got a glimpse of rustic rural household and their life style.
Despite poverty and ever staring question mark about future, people did not
want to miss their opportunity to celebrate the great event! Streets were
decorated with festoons, buntings. Arches were erected at every city corner.
Shops and establishments especially government offices, were decorated with
Green, Red and white color clothes which are the colors of Madagascar flag! People
were found shopping for crackers, food, old clothes and festoons in the market.
Madagascar got its independence from France on 26th
June’1960. Nearly six decades have passed.
Still Madagascar has the dubious distinction of being the fourth poorest
nation in the world. Per capita income per person is in the range of 263 U.S.D P.A. It’s Economic and cultural dependence on France has not gone. This
started ever since its independence from France in 1960 and lasted till 1972.
Later Presidents had a fling with Communism and turned Pro-Soviet which lasted
from 1975 to 92. With the down fall of Soviet Union this phase has ended abruptly
as this was leading to economic isolation. Thus it is back to square with
France.
Madagascar which has a mixture of ethnic races … Bantus,
Europeans,Malay, Javanese, Bugis and Arab groups are all
united by common Malagasy language. Madagascar is the fourth largest Island in
the world. It’s also called as the Great Red Island on account of its soil
color. Revenue for this island comes mainly from Agriculture, Mining, Fishing
and Cash crops like Vanilla, Cocoa, Coffee etc. On account of perpetual
economic resource exploitation – mainly mining, logging of wood and fishing
whose produce are exported without any value addition employment generation and
skill generation are not there.
With such a rich bio-diversity- there are more than 200000
plant species in this island of which 150000 are endemic in nature, 50 types of
Lemur species are there which are found nowhere else in the world, salubrious
climatic condition, highly skilled and high dexterity in local population,
mineral resources are all there which can be used as propeller of economic
prosperity. This can attract and generate adequate tourist potential if safety
of visitors, road and transport net work are strengthened. Poor post harvest
technology renders most of the organic fruits and vegetables to rot and do not
get adequate revenue to farmers.
One can safely admit that political will to excel is totally
lacking and the same is the primary reason for the present pathetic plight of
people, which is basically a leadership issue!
While I will wish my Malagasy friends happy independence
day, I also wish this country independence from Hunger, Exploitation from
vested interests both internal & external, awakening in the minds of young
and old alike who wish to see a surging & booming economy assuring
education and skilled positions for every Malagasy in the modern world !!
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