Veteran Political Figure and Lalit Founder Dr Ram Seegobin Dies

Dr Ram Seegobin, a towering figure in Mauritian left-wing politics and a dedicated trade unionist, passed away this Wednesday, 28 January. The founder of the Lalit party was a prominent fixture of the nation’s political landscape for over four decades.

A former member of the MMM, Dr Seegobin broke away from the party in 1982 to establish Lalit, carving out a legacy as a rigorous critic of socio-economic policies and a frequent commentator on national affairs.

A Legacy of Grassroots Healthcare

Beyond the political arena, Dr Seegobin was revered for his pioneering work in community medicine. In 1975, shortly after returning to Mauritius, he collaborated with residents in Bambous to launch a unique health cooperative.

Known as the Bambous Health Project, the initiative was entirely managed and funded by the villagers.

For 25 years, Dr Seegobin served as the village doctor, famously conducting health education sessions under mango trees and operating out of a rented consultation room.

Political Roots and Intellectual Contributions

Dr Seegobin was a prolific analyst whose written contributions, often featured on the Lalit Mauritius website and in the mainstream press, provided deep insights into:

• Government policy and economic challenges.
• Social crises and national orientation.
• The evolving structure of Mauritian society.

His family ties were deeply woven into the country’s political fabric. He was the brother of Vidula Nababsing, a former MMM MP, and the brother-in-law of former Leader of the Opposition, Prem Nababsing.

Personal Life

Dr Seegobin is survived by his wife, the South African-born author and Lalit member Lindsey Collen.

The pair met in London in the mid-1970s and married in 1973, before settling permanently in the Bambous region in 1974.

Ms Collen remains a well-known figure in her own right for her literary work and social activism.

Source: Defi Media