Terre Rouge College won the ‘Palme d’Or’ for the best short film. This was during a certificate and trophy ceremony on 18 June at Mon Plaisir, as part of the ‘Lakha Lakha’ project. A competition organised by the Mauritius Film Development Corporation (MFDC). Several other colleges shone in other sectors. These included sustainable agribusiness, photography and short film shooting, among others. Physical education teachers also received awards. Two other young people were also awarded ‘Smart Phones’. All this was done in the presence of the Commissioner of Youth and Sports Varock Ravina, other Commissioners and other dignitaries, Meeta Chundunsing, the President of Youth Empowerment Forum (YEF) International, Sachin Jootun, the General Manager of MFDC, as well as the entire delegation of this institution. Daniel Cayamah, a YEF youth, a former ‘Rebel’ turned ‘Warrior’, also gave a testimony of his personal experience with the organisation.
The ceremony on 18 June was a colourful and enjoyable one. The ceremony was interspersed with music and traditional dancing. For his part, Sachin Jootun praised the enthusiasm and performance of the young people for this project, which is a first.
As for Varock Ravina, he said that he was committed to the development of youth in Rodrigues. He said he was proud of the talent of young people in Rodrigues. He says YEF organised a week of training for young people, in collaboration with MFDC, the Agriculture Commission, the FALCON Association (a Mauritian farmers’ association) and his Commission. He emphasised that over 300 young people had the opportunity to participate in various activities. These included training in photography, short films in colleges, script writing and field filming, and training in ‘Agro-ecological Farming’ among others. “These young people had the opportunity to demonstrate their talents and abilities. Especially for about 40 young people from the Knowledge Workshop, who visited farms and learned about existing agricultural practices. We live in a world where young people face enormous challenges, not to mention social ills. We spare no effort to mentor young people, putting them on the right path,” he says.
An experience that will be repeated next year, according to Varock Ravina, as his Commission will give all the necessary support for the development of youth in Rodrigues. Kot enan bann zen enan zoli lanbians,” said a spectator present.
