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BIRTH CENTENARY OF SIR SEEWOOSAGUR RAMGOOLAM
The Postal Services is issuing a set of four postage stamps on 18 September 2000 to
commemorate the Birth Centenary of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, one of the most
illustrious sons of the country. The set comprises stamps of the Re1, Rs2, Rs5
and Rs15 denominations.
The life of
Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam spans over almost a century and has been dedicated to
the welfare of the Mauritian population at large with particular attention to
the downtrodden sections of the working class.
Born on 18
September 1900 at Belle-Rive, a small village 3 kilometres from Olivia in the
East of the island, Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, "Kewal" for his
parents and village friends, had already a dream for his country. As a
boy, he had witnessed the sufferings of the labourers in the village and
pledged to his friends that once he became "Governor" he would see
to it that every opportunity be given to the working class for their
emancipation.
This pledge
has been the guiding principle throughout his career either as a doctor,
politician or statesman. He knew at the very outset that education would open
the doors of knowledge and that inability to read and write would restrict him
in his search for knowledge.
After his
primary schooling in Bel Air he joined the Royal College, Curepipe, for
his secondary education. He left Mauritius for London in 1920 to study
medicine. He spent 14 years in England studying and working at the same time
to fulfill his ambition of caring for the downtrodden of the Mauritian
population. He returned to Mauritius in 1935 and started his medical
practice at Desforges Street, Port Louis.
During his
student days, he participated in various social and political activities
inspired by the Fabian Society. His mastery of literary works by English and
French authors spurred his humanism which guided him throughout his lifetime. His
close association with the Fabian Society sharpened his political motivation,
and immediately upon his return to Mauritius, he joined forces with the local
politicians to militate for the uplift of the less fortunate segments of the
society.
Nominated to
represent the Hindu community in the Legislative Council in 1940, his numerous
interventions in the Council for the betterment of living conditions of the labourers
gave him the required leverage to ask for reforms in the electoral system of
Mauritius.
Known as the
"Father of the Nation", Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam has throughout his
political career from 1940 to 1982 been closely associated with the significant
emancipation of the people of Mauritius and has led the struggle for
Independence. He inspired free health care, free secondary education, liberal labour
laws, free university education, national pensions, unity among different cultures,
pragmatic foreign policy and many other economic social and cultural
activities.
The four stamps portrayed in the set relate to some aspects of his career.
Re1 - Welcoming Mother Theresa, 1984
In 1983, Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam became Governor General and elected residence at Le Reduit,
where he died in 1985. As a statesman, he had the opportunity of meeting famous
personalities from all corners of the world. The stamp portrays Sir Seewoosagur
Ramgoolam at Le Reduit welcoming Mother Teresa during the latter's visit to
Mauritius in 1984.
Rs2 - Elected Member of the Legislative Council, 1948
At the General Elections of 1948, Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam tasted his first electoral
victory as member of the Labour Party. He was elected at the top of the list
to represent the Districts of Pamplemousses/Riviere du Rempart in the company
of Aunauth Beejadhur and Sir Harilal Vaghjee. The stamp depicts Sir Seewoosagur
Ramgoolam with a red garland thanking the voters for their confidence in him.
Rs5 - Student, London, 1926
The stamp shows Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam during his student days in London in 1926. It
was during his stay in London that he began to write in the press about the
plight of the underprivileged and started rousing public opinion in their favour.
When he came back to Mauritius in 1935, he continued to write articles in the
local press about the miseries of the poorer segments of the society.
Rs15 - First Prime Minister, 1968
The stamp features Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam when he became the first Prime Minister of
Mauritius after Independence on 12 March 1968. His signature, which appears in
hundreds of official documents is shown on the stamp. This contrasts superbly
with his pen name "Thumbmark II" which he used when writing press articles.
First Day Cover Illustration
The First DayCover illustrates the official logo for the Birth Centenary Celebrations of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam in Mauritius.
Cancellation Cachet
The cancellation cachet especially,designed for the issue is applied on official First Day Cover only
Technical Details
Designer : Mr Ross Watton
Printer : Cartor Security Printing
Size : 28 x 45 mm
S. Sheet : Size 130x100 mm
Perforation : 13 per 2 cm
Gum : PVA
Paper : Crown Agents Watermarked
Sheet format : 50 stamps set in 2 panes of 25
Release date : 18 September 2000
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