The person I am referring to is none other than the former darling of the Labour party, late Sir Harold Edward Walter, son of late Rev. Edward Walter. He was a soldier, lawyer, politician and accomplished human being. He strove to achieve the highest standards in whatever he undertook. He did it to the best of his ability. No wonder he was most successful in multiple activities and disciplines.

Soon after completing his studies at Royal College, Sir Harold left Mauritius to study medicine in France. The outbreak of the Second World War changed his destiny. He eventually became a Lieutenant in the British army. He later gave up the King’s Commission to follow further studies, not before he had shown his ability as a future lawyer. As a defending officer in the army, he defended our illustrious countrymen before a Court Martial. There he left his footprint in the British camp.

Sir Harold’s training as a soldier had an impact on his character and his personality and had imbued him with the sense of duty and courage which he displayed throughout his lifetime. He developed a high degree of self confidence often mistaken for arrogance and pompous behavior.

As a bar student, Sir Harold distinguished himself as a forceful orator. He was called to the Bar at Lincoln‘s Inn in 1951 and returned to serve his country the same year. His striking intelligence, strong personality and remarkable command of languages (English & French), soon established him as a brilliant criminal lawyer. As such, he was renowned for his cross-examination and his persuasive language to the jury. Witnesses very often felt relieved on stepping down from the box after the grilling experience of his cross-examination.

In 1959 he was elected to represent the Mahebourg constituency. He was a great asset to the Labour party for he turned out to be a crowd-puller at public meetings. He had a perfect mastery of Creole imagery and would intersperse his address with Hindi and Bhojpuri sayings to the delight of the crowd. This reminds me of the famous words he used during the late fifties “Ego chabhi dekhli.Ego la croix dalli. Bass kalam niche” This won him acclaim, admiration and love from his audience.

<B>Gift of the gab and witticisms</B>

After his brief appearance in Mauritian politics, he was immediately spotted by late Sir S. Ramgoolam for his great intelligence, gift of the gab and witticisms. He was entrusted with a portfolio. He became minister of Works and Internal Communications. Thereafter, he became a rising star in the Labour party. He went on to become an influential member of all delegations that went to discuss constitution changes in London with the Colonial Office. He played a vital part in the drafting of our Constitution. No doubt, he will be remembered as one of the Founding Fathers of our Constitution.

Sir Harold was a great parliamentarian, always very strict on parliamentary decorum and etiquette. He had a quick repartee and a profound sense of humour. His witticisms reached peak when he ridiculed the opposition, particularly Sir Gaetan Duval. He would keep the whole House spellbound and finally bursting in rapturous wonder by his “verbal flights” and his constant switch back and forth from the language of Shakespeare to that of Moliere.

Sir Harold was an outstanding debater. People in Mauritius will always remember him for his brilliant performance when he debated with the late Sir G. Duval in Parliament on the issue of “hanging-capital punishment». He was on his feet for almost three hours and came out victorious from the point of view of many political analysts. He was always the first person to jump to the rescue of the late Sir S. Ramgoolam, our erstwhile Prime Minister when the latter was being attacked by the opposition on political matters. He was a brilliant and powerful orator with a quick repartee. His intervention in any debate at the assembly often caused a stir in the opposition ranks. Those who dared to cross swords with him felt the impact of his words like a knock out blow. His close relationship with the late SSR led political pundits to believe that he was the crown prince, le Dauphin, successor to SSR. His unswerving allegiance, honesty and integrity were and are still unquestionable. Unlike the self-centered transfuges” politicians of today, he served under one leadership and stuck to one party until he ended his political career.

In the words of Mr. A. Gunnoo, the former attorney general, Sir Harold was, like Sir Raymond Hein, a fine scholar of the classics, a lover of the arts. His oration bears the ring of Demosthenes and Cicero, if not in the form, at least in his classical references which adorned his speeches.

In recognition of his services to his country and many of his virtues, he was made a Knight Bachelor. France conferred upon him the rare distinction of “Commandeur de la legion d’honneur” for his contribution as Minister of External Affairs to the strengthening of the French-Mauritian relationship. His personality won him the unique distinction of president of the World Health Organisation.. He also held the chairmanship of the African Unity.

Despite all his virtues, ability and contributions to the welfare of his country, his deeds have never been recognised. I am indeed baffled by the lack of respect shown to this great human being. There is not one single school, park, or street named after him in Mauritius. On the other hand, people less well-known to the Mauritian community have had schools, colleges, sporting grounds named after them. What saddens me most is the naming of the water front after late Sir G. Duval. One wonders what had been the contributions of late Sir. G. Duval to the community in Mahebourg. Sir. Harold never instigated people or stirred up trouble in Mahebourg. He fought for his constitutuents with zeal and honesty. Instead it was Sir G. Duval who was honoured in his constituency.

Sir Harold’s greatest contribution to the nation at large was when he struck a deal with the UK government to send Mauritians to take up nursing as a profession. He channeled an influx of Mauritian students to become nurses. Those nurses are now contributing immensely to boosting up the Mauritian economy through their monthly contributions in pounds sterling, to their respective parents. One wonders if the prime minister is aware of it!

Recognition for a freedom fighter</B>