On the 105th anniversary of the birth of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (SSR), no better homage can be paid to this illustrious son of our land, father of the nation, than to retrace his life and works for the young generation. The road to freedom and human dignity, though long and arduous, was illuminated by the saga of SSR to uplift the plight of the oppressed. His mantra was to liberate the country from the yoke of colonial domination .

The karma of the boy born and bred in Kewal Nagar (Belle-Rive) was to transform Mauritius. Its destiny and that of SSR are inextricably interwoven. Every sign of progress bears his indelible imprint. Ramgoolamism is omnipresent in our daily life and his spirit hovers over us. This political giant stands in the pantheon of great leaders and his legacy is so priceless that no tsunami can sweep it away although some ultra-reactionaries have tried, but in vain, through distortion of history and demagogy.

To the whole country, SSR is the caring chacha, conscientious doctor, affectionate bonhomme, father-figure and prime minister. He has become an object of veneration and his samadhi at Pamplemousses Garden has been converted into a place of pilgrimage and a source of inspiration for many politicians. SSR has weathered many a storm and it goes to his credit that, unlike many African states, he obtained independence from the British without a single drop of blood. SSR is the apostle of peace and national unity. He managed to maintain stability with a majority of hardly two seats in Parliament.

<B>Political stability for development</B>

A man of taste, SSR cultivated British gentlemanly manners. Fabianism inspired him and he fused it with the Hindu philosophy (tolerance, human brotherhood, peaceful coexistence) and made the best use of such blending. He was a builder, not an anarchist. Basically, he was a reformer, a humanist. His experience of dire poverty and his proximity with the “wretched of the earth” inculcated in him the fighting spirit for his mission of liberation. He won the deep respect of every one, irrespective of race, class and creed.

SSR revolutionised our society. He built the welfare state from its feudal-agrarian structure into a modern democratic socialist society, from a backward colony inhabited by poor, illiterate people into an advanced, developed country, envied by our African neighbours. His vision was to build lasting political stability so vital to development. SSR was the conscience of the people and an eye-opener to the downtrodden.

He contributed to The Times, Morning Post and Daily Herald. He wrote thought-provoking articles in Advance to counterattack the insidious campaign of the white oligarchy. He crossed swords with the notorious NMU (Le Cernéen) under the pseudonym Thumb Mark II. His writings showed a fine intellect and wise judgment. He was fond of poetry and an ardent admirer of Shakespeare and T. S. Eliot.

An admirer of Gandhi and Tagore, he was profoundly attached to Indian culture and philosophy. India occupied a special place in his heart. For this, he was labelled a communalist. He was instrumental in the resurgence of ancestral cultures and languages and a champion of religious values. He was a true Hindu to the backbone but performed Christian values.

After independence, all communities felt a sense of security and belonging and there was no Hindu hegemony, as foretold by birds of ill omen. Even Li Kuan Yew, the then prime minister of Singapore, expressed his admiration for SSR’s policy of peaceful coexistence.

SSR exerted a magnetic influence on others, even his political adversaries. His affectionate way, the tenderness in his voice melted our hearts. To him, friendship was lasting though some hit him below the belt. He never dragged his slanderers in court, though he was once accused of being an assassin.

On the contrary, he respected and honoured his opponents. In his days, Parliament was a place full of decorum. Even animals had a place in his heart : he set up the MSPCA and was its honorary president until his death.

<B>Free education for all</B>

SSR disarmed the population bomb through family planning after Prof. Titmus Report. With Prof. Meade Report, he eased the social tension to soak up the unemployed hands in the import-substitution industries. The National Pensions Scheme – for elderly, widows, orphans, etc. - was his baby.

One of his most shining achievements is undeniably free education for all. The democratisation of education started with his vision that education is the key to human development. He went further with the right to vote at 18. The University of Mauritius was a product of his great vision and the MIE brought diversification and Mauritianisation.

The boy from Kewal Nagar had a tryst with destiny. There was no place for extremism in his heart. “The greatest tribute we can pay to SSR as an entire nation is to show that we have fully understood the message of love, peace, patience and the brotherhood of man,” wrote Sir Anerood Jugnauth in a glowing tribute to him. SSR has contributed enormously to mould modern Mauritius. “When cometh another SSR?”

Philip LI CHING HUM</B>