Navin Ramgoolam

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh with the Prime Minister of Mauritius, Mr. Navin Chandra Ramgoolam, on the sidelines of CHOGM 2009, in Port of Spain on November 27, 2009

Navinchandra Ramgoolam with Obamas

Pratibha Devisingh Patil conferring the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award to the Prime Minister of Mauritius, Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam, at the Valedictory Session of the 6th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas-2008, in New Delhi

Legion Honneur GO ribbon

Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean - GCSK, GOSK, CSK (Mauritius) - ribbon bar

Navinchandra Ramgoolam (born 14 July 1947) is a Mauritian politician who has served in various capacities, including as the Prime Minister of Mauritius from 1995 to 2000 and again from 2005 to 2014. He is the leader of the Labour Party, one of the major political parties in Mauritius. Ramgoolam is also known for being the son of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, the first Prime Minister of Mauritius and a key figure in the country's independence movement.

Early Life and Education

Navinchandra Ramgoolam, commonly known as Navin Ramgoolam, was born in Port Louis, Mauritius. He pursued his higher education in medicine in Ireland, where he qualified as a doctor. After completing his medical studies, Ramgoolam returned to Mauritius with a keen interest in politics, inspired by his father's legacy.

Political Career

Ramgoolam's political career began in the early 1990s when he joined the Labour Party, a party closely associated with his father. His leadership qualities and political acumen led to his rapid rise within the party, and he was elected as Prime Minister in 1995. During his tenure, Ramgoolam focused on economic reforms, education, and the welfare of the Mauritian population.

After losing the elections in 2000, Ramgoolam and the Labour Party spent five years in opposition. They made a comeback in 2005, and Ramgoolam was once again appointed Prime Minister. His second and third terms were marked by efforts to diversify the Mauritian economy, focusing on sectors such as information technology, tourism, and renewable energy. Ramgoolam also played a significant role in promoting Mauritius on the international stage, advocating for small island developing states and their unique challenges.

Controversies

Like many political figures, Ramgoolam's career has not been without controversy. He has faced criticism for his administration's handling of certain domestic issues and allegations of corruption. Despite these challenges, Ramgoolam has remained a prominent figure in Mauritian politics.

Legacy

Navin Ramgoolam's contributions to Mauritius are significant, particularly in terms of his efforts to modernize the economy and improve the standard of living for many Mauritians. His political legacy is also tied to his father's, with both Ramgoolams having played pivotal roles in the country's post-independence history.

See Also

• Politics of Mauritius
• Labour Party (Mauritius)
• List of Prime Ministers of Mauritius