Seewoosagur Ramgoolam

Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam was a pivotal statesman and physician from Mauritius.

He is widely recognized as the founding father of the Mauritian nation. Throughout his life, he held several high-ranking roles. He served as the island's only chief minister and its first prime minister. Later, he became the fifth governor-general of the country. His leadership was essential during the transition from British colonial rule to independence.

Ramgoolam's early life was shaped by his family history and cultural roots. He was born on 18 September 1900, in Belle Rive, Mauritius. His father, Moheeth Ramgoolam, was an Indian immigrant who arrived in 1896. The family belonged to the Vaish community and the Koeri caste. Young Seewoosagur learned Bhojpuri and Indian philosophy at a local evening school called a Baitka. There, a teacher known as a guruji taught prayers and songs from sacred texts. These texts included the Vedas, the Ramayana, the Upanishads, and the Bhagavad Gita.

His formal education required him to be very determined. He attended a Roman Catholic Aided School to learn English, French, History, and Geography. At age seven, he lost his father. At age twelve, a serious accident in a cowshed caused him to lose his left eye. Despite these challenges, he pursued higher education. He eventually traveled to London to study medicine. He graduated from University College London and attended the London School of Economics.

Upon returning to Mauritius in 1935, Ramgoolam focused on social reform. He wanted to improve living conditions for the majority of the population. Many residents were descendants of enslaved Africans and indentured Indian laborers. He joined the Labour Party in 1947. In 1940, he helped found the party's newspaper, *Advance*. Through this paper, he advocated for social justice and economic reform. He often wrote articles using the pseudonym "Thumb Mark II" to challenge powerful sugar oligarchs.

Ramgoolam's political career involved many different levels of government. He served as a Municipal Councillor in Port Louis from 1940 to 1953. He also held the position of Deputy Mayor in 1956. By 1958, he had become the Lord Mayor of Port Louis. He was elected to the Legislative Council multiple times between 1948 and 1967. These roles helped him build the influence needed to lead the nation toward self-rule.

The path to independence was complex and involved many political groups. In 1961, some groups wanted to integrate Mauritius with Britain. However, Britain had decided to give up most of its colonies. Ramgoolam served as chief minister from 1961 to 1965. He then served as premier from 1965 to 1968. To achieve independence, he formed a coalition called the Independence Party. This group included the Independent Forward Bloc and the Comité d'Action Musulman. This cooperation successfully led to Mauritius gaining independence from Great Britain in 1968.

After independence, Ramgoolam continued to influence Mauritian politics for decades. He led the Labour Party from 1959 until 1982. Although his party lost the 1982 general elections, he remained a significant figure. He assisted the newly formed MSM party in the 1983 elections. He was then appointed governor-general, a role he held until his death in 1985.

He also served as the chairperson of the Organisation of African Unity from 1976 to 1977.

Today, the legacy of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam is visible everywhere in Mauritius. His face appears on every Mauritian Rupee coin.

Many major landmarks bear his name. These include the SSR Botanical Garden, the SSR Medical College, and the national hospital. The island's main airport was also previously named after him. His political influence even extended to his family, as his son, Navin Ramgoolam, also served as prime minister.