Mauritius Pays Tribute: SSR’s 125th Birthday Marked with Stamp & Exhibition

A new commemorative stamp and a special exhibition have been launched in Mauritius to honour the life and legacy of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (SSR), the nation’s founding father. The events, marking the 125th anniversary of his birth, were attended by Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam, who paid a heartfelt tribute to his father’s enduring influence.

The Prime Minister described SSR as “the architect of Independence” and a “visionary whose determination shaped the history of Mauritius.”

He emphasised that the new stamp and exhibition were the “most appropriate celebration” to commemorate the anniversary.

Speaking at the launch, Prime Minister Ramgoolam recalled his father’s exceptional journey from poverty in Belle-Rive.

He shared a personal anecdote, noting that while other children ran away from school, SSR “ran to go to school.”

Despite a physical handicap, SSR showed remarkable resilience in his studies and was able to pursue a medical degree in London with the help of his half-brother and other influential figures.

According to the Prime Minister, SSR was guided by the principle: “Never judge a person by the colour of their skin or their community.

There are only two categories: good people and bad people.” This philosophy underpinned his commitment to universal education and social justice, which Prime Minister Ramgoolam said had helped thousands of Mauritians advance.

He highlighted SSR’s diplomatic vision, which encouraged Mauritius to engage with the world, even before independence.

SSR was an advocate for the country joining the Organisation of African Unity, where Mauritius was invited as an observer.

In his concluding remarks, the Prime Minister spoke of SSR’s humanism, patriotism, and dedication to service, urging Mauritians to use the commemorative events to “renew our commitment to building an island faithful to SSR’s vision: unity in diversity and equal opportunity for all.”

The events were organised by the Ministry of Arts and Culture, the Municipality of Port Louis, and Mauritius Post Ltd. Separate tribute events, including a wreath-laying ceremony, also took place at Kewal Nagar.

Source: l’Express