Social Transformation of an Island Nation

In the development small island states (their number is 43 out of the total number of 191 states as members of the United Nations), there are inherent structural impediments. Mainly due to the legacy of the colonial regimes. Their potential resources were exploited by the colonists leaving them high and dry., , Mauritius is one such nation that witnessed slavery and exploitation for more than 100 years and after a long sustained struggle by the political leaders, it could attain independence from the British on March 12, 1968., , This macro-level study based on documentary evidences, researches and observations made on different aspects of change and continuity of the socio-cultural life of the people, and through interaction with the key informants, is an attempt to analyze the dynamics of development, focusing on social transformational changes resulting in generating a sort of developmental wonder in this island nation since its Independence. About The Rani Mehta, born in Mauritius, is presently a senior lecturer in the Department of Sociology, Panjab University; Chandigarh. She has an excellent record to her credit and was awarded Gold Medal by the Panjab University, Chandigarh for standing First in M.A. Sociology, examination in 1999. Besides, she was recipient of Gadgil Gold Medal of Panjab University, Chandigarh for standing first among all the Social Sciences subjects in the same year. Dr. Mehta obtained her Ph.D. in Sociology from the Panjab University, Chandigarh in December 2003 on UGC-NET Fellowship. Her doctoral work was published as a book entitled "Crisis in Higher Education : Role Analysis of Teachers in a University System" in 2004. Besides teaching at the Department of Sociology, Panjab University, Chandigarh since August 2004, she on a foreign assignment, has also done one semester teaching in the Faculty of Social Studies and Humanities at the University of Mauritius in 2008. Besides a book, she has also contributed several articles and