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The Postal Services is issuing a stamp of Rs10 on 15 April 2006 to commemorate the birth centenary of Professor Basdeo Bissoondoyal.
Bissoondoyal as spelt nowadays originated from the name ?Vishnudayal? given by Basdeo?s great-grandfather who left Bihar (India) in 1864 for Mauritius.
Basdeo was born after two generations on 15 April 1906, at Tyack. His father, Lutchmun caring for his children?s education left Tyack for Rose Hill. It was at this place that Basdeo?s schooling began. He however completed his primary education in Port Louis, but could not attend a secondary school.
As he was fond of education, he continued studying by himself, and after a few years he passed an examination which qualified him as a teacher. He was equally interested in Hindi.
He first worked in Port Louis at the Soonee Soortee Aided Government school in 1922 and then at Reetoo School in St Julien, where he also taught Hindi on a voluntary basis. For this purpose he converted his rented room into a classroom. Basdeo did not want to remain a primary school teacher all his life. It was his wish to acquire knowledge, to develop his personality so as to serve the Hindu Society in particular and Mauritius as a whole.
Basdeo could think only of India for his higher education. He left Mauritius in 1933 and got admission in D.A.V college. Basdeo wanted an all-round education. Lahore was at that time a seat of great learning. This place therefore suited him very well. He also attended political meetings, participated in processions and listened to sermons. All this moulded his character and personality. After taking B.A (Hons) from the Punjab University, he went to Calcutta, where he obtained his M.A degrees in English. Before coming back home, he worked at Gurukul Kangri, a university run by Arya Samaj. This is why he was addressed as Professor, but was however, popularly known as Panditji.
Basdeo came back from India in 1939. At that time Hinduism was at a lost and was not well understood. Many girls were still not sent to school and married women were hardly encouraged or allowed to participate in social activities. The education of girls and the emancipation of women were important for a community to develop. The Hindu society had not laid enough stress on these issues. Only a scholar had to provide inspiration for this purpose. Pandit Basdeo Bissoondoyal had the profile of the scholar, the leader, the preacher and the reformer the Hindu society had been looking for.
Basdeo emerged as a strong religious leader, but the Governor of Mauritius was not happy with his big gatherings. His activities were interpreted as reactions against him. The colonial officers decided to restrict his freedom. He was asked to obtain police authorization to hold a sermon. He decided not to yield, not to apply to the Commissioner of Police, and therefore he continued with his preaching work. He was however arrested, prosecuted and imprisoned four times between 1944 and 1949. The day of his release used to be a celebration symbolizing the victory of truth over falsehood.
Engaged in such religious and spiritual activities, Basdeo died on 23 June 1991. That day Mauritius lost a great scholar.
Stamp
The Rs10 stamp illustrates a portrait of Professor Basdeo Bissoondoyal.
First Day Cover
The illustration on the official First Day Cover shows a pile of books signifying that besides being a scholar, a preacher and a social reformer, Prof. Basdeo Bissoondoyal was also a writer.
Technical Details
Designer : Nurveen Ratty
(Graphic Designer, Mauritius Post Ltd)
Printer : Cartor Security Printers
Size : 27.94 x 44.45mm
Perforation : 14 x 2
Gum : PVA
Paper : Crown Agents Watermarked
Sheet Format : 50 stamps set in 2 panes of 25
Release Date : 15 April 2006
Denomination : Rs 10
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