"Footprints of the Sands of Time,"

DVD produced by Ben Boultbee. BBI Media, U.K., 2007. E-mail: bbimedia@gmail.com

Footprints on the Sands of Time is the title of a DVD released in mid-January 2007 by Former President James Richard Mancham of his poetry and philosophy against a background of beautiful Seychelles. This DVD was produced by BBI Media of UK – E-mail: bbimedia@gmail.com – under the direction of Mr Ben Boultbee for the account of Mahe Publications Ltd. – P.O. Box 29, Mahé, Seychelles – E-mail: surmer@seychelles.net

The DVD received countless praise and comments.

From Seychelles President James A. Michel in a letter to Sir James dated 1^st February 2007 said – “Nathalie and I would like to thank you most sincerely for the DVD ‘Footprints on the Sands of Time.’ Your thoughtful gesture is deeply appreciated. We have enjoyed the DVD. Your poems are very inspiring! Once again thank you.”
From Chief Justice V. Alleear in a letter dated 6^th August 2007 said – “I must confess, Excellency, that on Sunday afternoon, I was mesmerized by watching ‘Footprints on the Sands of Time.’ It impacted on me so much that I felt like crying with joy. I was so moved that tears welled up in my eyes. I had failed to appreciate that we have in our midst a philosopher, thinker and poet of international caliber. Besides expressing your own feelings, thoughts and messages in your poetry, I am sure many people will identify with and relate to them. Leaving aside the poetry, I find that the pictures are breathtaking. They are a feast for the eyes. They blend in beautifully with the thoughts expressed.”
From Juliette Micock and Tania Grandcourt wrote – “We found it touchy, inspiring and it shows that you’re a man who loves and appreciate your country so much, as you spoke about the past, the present, geographically. What was most inspiring is that everything was so natural, the background images were just perfect and it is as if you also form part of our team, as this DVD promotes the Seychelles.”
From Jean-Claude Ah-Weng – Professor – Nagoya University, Japan – “I have received the DVD ‘Footprints on the Sands of Time.’ In it I can see once again the great poet and philosopher in you. Thank you very much and rest assured that the DVD, and most importantly the beautiful poetry and deep philosophy embodied in it, will have a very special place in my private library.”
From Mr Tex Albert of Montréal, Canada – “Cordial and warm greetings from snowy Montrrrréal! Mr Mancham I’ve just finished watching your scenic and moving DVD ‘Footprints of the Sands of Time,’ which I received as I came in this afternoon from a particularly challenging day. Thanks! While the sceneries piqued my nostalgia for Seychelles, your poetry and philosophy are revitalizing and inspire me to pursue my quest for the true raison d’être of life, mindful of the profundity in the simpler moments as well as individual personal relationships, all too often much neglected in the realm of supposedly great ambitions.”
From Liliana Milosevic – Chief Editor – Health Channel TV – Belgrade, Serbia – “With respect to the ‘Footprints on the Sands of Time,’ I am pleased to inform you that we have decided to broadcast it on our ‘Health Channel’ Television. We find your wise words and the beautiful landscape of Seychelles truly therapeutical and good for mental health.”
From Mr Roy Fonseka – Chief Executive – Pilgrims Security Ltd. – “Thank you very much for the DVD ‘Footprints on the Sands of Time.’ I must first congratulate you not only for the contents, your choice of music and such fitting background setting, but must also convey my admiration of you being able to devote the time in producing this inspiring DVD. Yes, there is something for everyone in it. Be it, truth, nostalgia, personal experience faith or hopes, but most interesting are some candid messages that many will see their mirrored reflections.”
From Mr Ashwin Sanghi – Chief Executive – MK Sanghi Group of Mumbai, India – “The content of the DVD is enlightening and thought provoking and is reflective of the time and energy that you have put into it.”
From the late Flavie Jackson – Chairperson of Seychelles Bible Society – “I thoroughly enjoyed viewing the beautiful sceneries of Seychelles and listening to the often touching and nostalgic poems. Through them one can visualize old times which, many would call primitive. But the sentiments then were so warm and the atmosphere so secure and sheltered, that whatever poverty or lack of luxury made no difference to the ‘joie de vivre’ of the people.”
From Travis M. Jensen – General Manager – Sea Harvest Ltd. – “I watched it with my wife Sarah over the weekend and it was absolutely fantastic. The beautiful footage of Seychelles with your poetry were a welcome breath of fresh air in this politically charged climate and reminded me that there is much more to life than the petty things we often get caught up in day to day.”
From Li Debao – former Governor of Zhejiang Province – Hangzhou – People’s Republic of China – “It’s really a great gift to me. Today I got your ‘Footprints on the Sands of Time.’ I watched and listened to the great DVD! I saw my dear friend Sir Mancham – he is almost the same while we met some 20 years ago. I am moved while I listen to your voice. You are always full of energy! Wish you more success!”
From Honourable Nicholas Prea – Member of the National Assembly – Seychelles – “I went through your DVD with my 15 year-old daughter following it all the way. Mind you being 15 and not knowing what happened and the real history of our country, she was asking questions all along. For me it was very educational explaining to her who you are and what actually happened in our beautiful country. It is a good feeling when you know you are telling the truth. Thank you for yet another great piece of work which I hope will touch the hearts of many and hopefully open the minds of many.”
From H.E. Alexander Vladimirov – Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Seychelles – “Thank you a lot for the DVD – ‘Footprints on the Sands of Time.’ It was a great pleasure to see it. It confirms once again you are a person with creative soul.”
From Mr Charles Njonjo – Former Attorney-General of Kenya in the Government of President Jomo Kenyatta – “Thank you for sending me a copy of ‘Footprints on the Sands of Time.’ It is very exciting and I watched through – it is all very inspiring and thought provoking. I will show it to all friends and foes. I hope one day we shall meet and reminisce. People of Seychelles will always see your bold footsteps in the sands of struggle for your country.”
From Mrs Alice Sedgewick of the United Kingdom – “I was very touched to receive the disc of ‘Footprints on the Sands of Time,’ narrated by you. Mike and I enjoyed listening to those wise words expressed with such sentiments which now and again brought tears to our eyes and other times we laughed when we heard all the old songs which brought back memories, when we used to sit under the gazebo, at Glacis-sur-Mer, have a good sing song after a delightful creole meal. Hope the young and the old will take time to listen to those words and consider us fortunate to have had a leader of high morale and integrity, humble and unselfish to let go the hunger for power and control. Very few of these types of leaders exist these days. Your determination of a hard campaign to introduce reconciliation into the life of our Nation, who had so much bitterness and revenge engraved in their hearts, has not been in vain.”
From Mr Jean-Claude Jobin of Geneva, Switzerland – “Merci Sir James pour le DVD que vous m’avez fait parvenir. C’est presque un testament, mais à vivre maintenant, que vous prononcez! Quel message de paix et de philosophie vous oofrez là! C’est merveilleux! Et, de plus, les images qui soulignent vos paroles sont sublimes. Si vous n’y voyez pas d’inconvénient, je le ferai circuler parmis mes amis pour qu’ils en profitent également.”
From Irene and Richard West of Clearwater, Florida, U.S.A. – “We have just watched and listened to ‘Footprints on the Sands of Time’ two times so far and commend you on your judgment and creativity for creating such a beautiful and artistic DVD. We can’t wait to show it to my brother and his wife. My brother was a Professor of education with over 40 books to his credit. Like yourself he is a world traveler with few places he hasn’t visited. I do believe he missed the Seychelles. When he views this DVD I know he will plan a trip to your beautiful islands.”
From Karen Pontre of Sydney, Australia – “I specially loved how you presented the Seychelles – just like it truly is… Not like those glossy, over stylized pretentious travel shows and magazines. The selection of music you chose to accompany your poetry was beautifully arranged. I found it a real joy… Very inspiring. It is a privilege to know you and to share in your art as a philosopher and poet.
From Mr Francis Gurry – Deputy Director General – World Intellectual Property Organization – Geneva, Switzerland – “Footprints on the Sands of Time.’ Congratulations on this wonderful collection.”
From Mr Farhad Vladi of Vladi Private Islands GmBh of Hamburg, Germany – “I had the opportunity to look into this DVD with my family and I was very much touched by your narrations and of course the beautiful pictures I was able to see. It took me back 30 years of my life when I started my business and looked at the time we both spent together.”
From Mr A.S. Babrar Hashmi – Chargé d’Affaires of Pakistan to the Republic of Serbia – “It was fascinating for me to go through the DVD and I deeply appreciate your kind gesture.”
From Mr paul Deluca of Brisbane, Australia – “I yearn for the day that I too can move to a beach and live like your ‘millionaire’ island friend simply on fresh air, sunshine, love and happiness.”
From Dr. Keith McKee of London, U.K. – “A brief note to thank you for the CD of your selected poems and recollections accompanied by the most wonderful views of your enchanting islands. I think the words complement the locations to perfection and I thoroughly enjoyed it.”
From Maryam and Ali Parkar of Mauritius – “Thank you very much for sending us the DVD entitled ‘Footprints of the Sands of Time.’ Maryam and I both watched it with great interest and joy. I personally believe it is the best produced DVD on the beauty and views of Seychelles.”
From ms Slobodanka Trifunović – Interpreter of Raiffeisenbank of Belgrade – “This CD with your poetry will certainly add to my ‘private weekend luxuries.’ I love to indulge in on lazy Saturday and Sunday mornings. This time I will daydream about the beach and the sea.”
From Mr Georgio Paladino – Lawyer of Roma, Italy – “Thanks, thanks a lot for the ‘Footprints on the Sands of Time’ that you have sent to me. It brought me back across years and in the same time ahead, encouraging me with your philosophy and your strength that I have always appreciated. You are a great man, and I’m proud to have been and to be the friend of Jimmy and not of the President.”
From Mr Dave Barallon of London – “After having listened to the DVD, I would like to congratulate you for this A1 work done by yourself. This DVD ‘Footprints on the Sands of Time’ is a testimony of your capability and potential to heal and bring together the divided Seychelles that exist today.”
From Mr William Bell – Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Seychelles – “Good morning. I do pray that you are in good spirit and health as always. Kindly allow me this opportunity to thank you very much for the CD ‘Footprints on the Sands of Time.’ It is indeed appreciated and may I wish you every success with it and belatedly congratulate you on the contribution you have made to enrich our Seychellois history and literature.”
From H.E. Andrew Engange – Member of the National Assembly – Yaounde, Cameroon – “I am writing to sincerely thank you for the wonderful DVD. As I have always told you, I am looking forward to meet with you for the realization of World Peace and to learn a lot from your world of experience.”
From H.E. Jeremie Bonnelame – Seychelles Ambassador to the United Nations – “Toutes mes félicitations et remerciements pour ce tres beau DVD. Des très belles images mais aussi une tres profonde reflexion sur la vie, l’action, les Seychelles et bien sûr sur vous mêmes. Encore une fois un très grand merci pour le privilège d’être parmi ceux-la que ont bénéficie d’une copie de ce DVD.”
From Seychelles Famed Footballer – Leif Larsen and wife Mary in London – “We wish to thank you for the DVD… it was truly wonderful to watch. The music, scenery and poems we felt really came from the heart. It was so nice to receive it and to know that we have such loyal friends over the years and will give us many hours of happy memories.”
From H.E. Ian McConville – Australian High Commissioner to Mauritius, Port-Louis – “Jimmy, I do admire your energy and creativeness.”
From Raymond du Buisson – Artist of Anse La Blague – Praslin, Seychelles – “I found your poems philosophical, tinged with shades of tender emotions straight from a dignified heart. One of the songs accompanying your verses ‘See the Pyramids along the Nile,’ brought tears to my eyes because it was one of my late father’s most cherished tunes. The filming has without doubt captured the essence of the supreme beauty of our islands and I feel extremely privileged to have received such a wonderful gift from your good self.”
From H.E. Diana Skingle – British High Commissioner – Seychelles – “Thank you so much for sending me a copy of your DVD – ‘Footprints on the Sands of Time.’ It is delightful.”
From Mr Denis Rose – former Editor-in-Chief of Seychelles Nationi now Principal Secretary – The Art, Culture and Sports – “Thank you for sending me a copy of your poetry DVD – ‘Footprints on the Sands of Time.’ It is a great piece of work. Watching it and listening to the poems at times bring tears to the eyes.”
From Madame Alexandra Azaïs – Chargé d’Affaires de L’Ordre Souverain et Militaire de Malte in Seychelles – “Excellence, Je viens de recevoir de votre part le magnifique DVD ‘Footprints on the Sands of Time,’ dont je vous remercie vivement. J’ai eu le plaisir de lire de nombreux ourvages à vous, entre lesquel ‘Images of Yesterday,’ ‘War on America’ et ‘The Sayings,’ et je ne peu que m’unir à Maurice Denuzière et Alain Bailey en retrouvant en vous un fin politician et un poète exquis don’t l’étonnante sensibilité et attention aux plus prodondes valeurs humaines et sociale est source de méditation spirituelle et en méme temps de vrai plaisir intellectual. Même si je ne suis pas pourvue di titres académique qui m’autorisent à m’exprimer ainsi, permettez moi de féliciter sincèrement et profondément pour le lumière que vous jetez au méme temps sur des niches et l’histoire non seulement Seychellois, et sur des problèmatique philosophiques et intérieures universelles. Ad maiora, Monsieur le Président et veuillez croire à l’expression de ma haute consideration.”

These are a random collection of comments on the DVD. More information, please contact Mahe Publications Ltd. – P.O. Box 29, Mahé, Seychelles. E-mail: surmer@seychelles.net

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