|
This Special Commemorative Cover is being issued to commemorate the birth centenary of Sir Abdul Razack Mohamed. Born in India on 01 August 1906, Sir Abdul Razack Mohamed came to Mauritius at the age of 22 to settle down as a businessman. Once in Mauritius, it did not take him long to play a leading part in business and politics, especially during the pre-independence period. His public activities extended not only to politics but also to social services. Generously and selflessly, he provided financial assistance to needy students, widows and orphans and even contributed in the setting up and running of several charitable institutions. ?Vous ?tes tous, sans aucune distinction de caste, couleur ou religion, assur?s de mon entier d?vouement?. This statement clearly shows that Sir Abdul Razack had an unbiased and humane approach in his service to the poor and needy. He played a significant role in the 1945 and 1947 Consultative Committees, set up to advise on a constitution for Mauritius. He was totally against qualification on the basis of education, property, rent and salary to become an elector.
In the 1965 Constitutional Conference when discussions were held to determine whether independence should be granted or not, he asked, among other provisions, for the following: -
A Bill of Rights.
- Political Safeguards.
- A Sixty Member elected Assembly.
- A quota of seats for each main section of the population.
- Setting up of an Ombudsman.
During his momentous political career, Sir Abdul Razack Mohamed served his country with distinction as Municipal Councilor, Mayor and Senior Minister. Sir Abdul, who died on 8 May 1978, will be remembered by many as someone who gave confidence and dignity to his community, while others will cherish his memory as a close associate and ally of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam during his struggle for the independence of Mauritius and others still, will recall with nostalgia his ever-readiness to help those in need. The two stamps affixed on the Special Commemorative Cover are respectively the Rs7 and Rs8 stamps of the Ship Models and the Anthurium issues symbolizing the mode of travelling and the generous nature of this great patriot. The illustration on the cover shows a portrait of Sir Abdul Razack as Mayor of Port Louis with a picture of the old Municipal building in the background.
|
|
|
