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This special Commemorative Cover, cancelled with a special cachet is being issued to commemorate the 106th birth anniversary of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam.
Son of Moheeth Ramgoolam and Basmati Ramchurn, Sir Seewoosagur, also called Kewal, was born on 18 September 1900 in a hut at Bois d?Oiseaux, Belle Rive. Kewal?s interest in education started at a very young age. When he was still five years old, he ran away from home to attend the classes of Madame Siris at the RCA school, where he began his schooling.
Later he shifted to Bel Air Government School, then to Curepipe Boys? Government School, where he won his scholarship and joined the Royal College, Curepipe for his secondary education. After leaving college, he worked in the Civil Service for one year. But to be of real service to his country, he felt the need to study further. This urge became stronger when one day he met an old woman in tears and broken with disease.
The sight of that woman melted Kewal?s heart. So, in 1921, he set for London for his medical studies. Back in 1935, after 14 years abroad, he started his medical practice at Desforges Street, Port Louis.
Politically inspired and motivated by the Fabien Society, the young Seewoosagur joined the local politicians to militate for the uplift of the less fortunate segments of the society. His political career from 1940 to 1982 has been closely associated with the significant emancipation of the people of Mauritius and the struggle for independence. As a Prime Minister, he inspired free health care, free education, national pensions and unity among different cultures.
In 1983, Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam became Governor-General and elected residence at Le R?duit where he died in 1985. Sir Seewoosagur lives for ever in the heart of all Mauritians as the ?Father of the Nation?.
The three stamps affixed on the special cover depict the following:
40cs ? Inland Transport issue illustrating a train which was the mode of transport used by young Seewoosagur from Olivia Station to attend Bel Air Government School.
60cs ? Petits M?tiers issue showing a cart wheel. Sir Seewoosagur?s father was a planter and the cart was for them a means of transporting sugarcane.
Rs16 ? Stone Buildings issue portraying the Carnegie Library, symbol of education and which illustrates Sir Seewoosagur?s commitment to education for all in Mauritius.
The illustration on the cover shows a portrait of Sir Seewoosagur and the steps of the Aapravasi Ghat, recently added to UNESCO?s world heritage list, which his father had climbed as an Indian immigrant. They also symbolize the ladder of success climbed by Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam during his fruitful career.
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