Introduction: Welcome to all members present. We have had a fairly successful year thanks to the program support by the Ministry of Family affairs, Child development and Gender issues, and the dedicated work of some members. As a concept, the Sukhi Parivaar is receiving general approval, both locally and abroad, because of its original approach enabling every family member to relate the day’s events and share the ‘thorns and roses’ that mark life, thereby strengthening family bonds and mutual support. Those that follow the program have registered a distinct difference in family harmony and solidarity within a month.

Activities

Since the last General Assembly held on 15 January 2011, we concentrated on the production and public presentation of two dramas, one in Creole and the other in Hindustani. The drama in Creole on ‘La Famille Heureuse’, was produced by Pierre Poivre Entertainment and enacted by professional artists. This was presented at the Municipality of Quatre Bornes on 27.8.11 where the Minister of Education and Human Resources, Hon. Vasant Bunwaree, as well as the Minister responsible for Family welfare, Child development, and Gender issues, Hon. Sheila Bappoo addressed the audience. A recorded DVD was later presented to the Minister of Education for use in his educational enhancement program. Another drama was prepared in Hindustani by the Academy of Performing Arts, and presented at Union Park Hindu Sammelan Sabha on 12 November 2011, to mark the 5^th anniversary of our organization. These dramas portray the difference between families that have adopted the Sukhi Parivaar program and those that have not. On both occasions MBC TV gave a coverage of our events. The organization and celebration of these events required a lot of energy, and I thank all those who helped to make them a success, especially our Project Officer Mrs. Lakshmi Gunessee and Mr. Shyam Hurbungs.

These dramas were then professionally recorded by the Mauritius College of the Air that voluntarily provided us with a few copies for distribution. Here I must thank both the Director of the MCA and our member Mr. Israni Gopaul for their invaluable assistance.

Besides these, thanks to the support from the Ministry of Family affairs, Child development and Gender equality, a series of activities have been organized in different parts of the island during 2012. Mrs. Gunessee and Mr. Hurbungs were able to develop a project document and get the approval of the Ministry for funding to the tune of Rs. 350. thousand for this year. During this first quarter a series of activities have been undertaken in all four regions, in Mahebourg, Triolet, Flacq, and Phoenix, and a report from the project officer is annexed. This time the work has concentrated in capacity building for peace and harmony through family communion, and training families at risk.

As President I have been invited speaker on Sukhi Parivaar on the following occasions:

11 Sept. 11- AISEC seminar at Pointe Jerome.

25 sept. 11-Sivananda Ashram, Rose Hill.

2 Oct. 11- Gandhi Ashram, Palma

3 Oct. 11-Anti-Violence Support Organization, Vacoas Municipality

4 Oct.11-Inter Generational consolidation, Quatre Bornes Municipality

16 Oct.11-Bramha Kumaris, Rose Belle

2 March 12-Students of Awake Assn, UoM

13 March 12-Plaines Wilhems Women’s Fedn, Phoenix

15 March 12- Regional Women’s Group, Mahebourg

27 March 12-Alwadjidah Muslim Ladies Welfare Assn. Idriss Goomani, P.L

8 April 12-HSS Island Seminar on Family Values, Roche Noire.

Here again, I encourage members to keep in contact with socio-cultural organizations and have similar presentations made by themselves. Only personal initiatives bring any impact.

Publicity

During the year we received some good coverage by the media, the MBC and the press. Before the November anniversary celebration, Mr. B. Burrun of Week End gave a full page coverage of Sukhi Parivaar on 31.7.11, including our historical evolution. Ms. Catherine Boudet of l’Impact weekly wrote another article in June, highlighting the similarity of our programme with that of Pres. Obama’s ‘Thorns and Roses’ as depicted in the Readers’ Digest of June 2011. Our PRO Mr. Vijay Beeharry published an account of our anniversary celebrations in l’Express of 19.11.11. Here I must make an appeal to members to take the initiative of publishing articles on the movement whenever the occasion arises.

Website

Our website www.sukhiparivaar.org is fully operational, and Mr. Ashesh R has been updating and keeping active. There have been hundreds of hits over the year, and a global web search hits are recorded. Members themselves are encouraged to regularly visit the website and feed it with information and pictures.

Awards

During the year our organization has been awarded the Best Family Values Program by Macoss. Our members attended the award ceremony held in Gold Crest Hotel on 25.10.11

Internationally, our organization was recognized at the Southern Africa Trust, Drivers of Change Award in Sandton, South Africa, where your President Prof. Jugessur won an award as a Driver of Change. Mention was made of the Award received by Prof. Jugessur by the Southern Africa Trust in collaboration with the Mail and the Guardian of South Africa, Johannesburg.

Conclusion

Our organization has a long way to go. This year the project undertaken with the assistance of the Ministry of Family affairs, Child development and Gender equality will continue with the immense support of both Mr. Hurbungs and Mrs Gunessee. We need to work harder to generate more project funding from CSR. Only the commitment of our members can enable us to do so. Our collaboration with MACOSS can become more productive through our own efforts.

S.J 20.4.12