Kailash Purryag facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kailash Purryag
GCSK
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| President of Mauritius | |
| In office 21 July 2012 – 29 May 2015 |
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| Prime Minister | |
| Vice President | Monique Ohsan Bellepeau |
| Preceded by | Monique Ohsan Bellepeau (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Monique Ohsan Bellepeau (acting) |
| Speaker of the National Assembly | |
| In office 12 July 2005 – 23 July 2012 |
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| Preceded by | Prem Ramnah |
| Succeeded by | Razack Peeroo |
| Deputy Prime Minister of Mauritius | |
| In office 22 December 1997 – 17 September 2000 |
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| Prime Minister | Navin Ramgoolam |
| Preceded by | Paul Berenger |
| Succeeded by | Paul Berenger |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Rajkeswur Purryag
12 December 1947 Camp Fouquereaux, British Mauritius |
| Died | 21 June 2025 (aged 77) |
| Political party | Labour Party (1973–present) |
| Spouses | Aneetah Purryag (1973–present) |
| Children | 1 |
| Occupation | Politician (retired) |
| Profession | Law attorney |
Rajkeswur Purryag, also known as Kailash Purryag, was a politician from Mauritius who served as the country's fifth president from 2012 to 2015.
Before becoming president, Purryag had a long and busy career in politics. He was a Member of Parliament, a government minister, and the Speaker of the National Assembly. He started his political journey in 1976 and dedicated many years to public service.
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Early Life and Education
Rajkeswur Purryag was born on December 12, 1947, in Camp Fouquereaux, Mauritius. His family originally came from the state of Bihar in India. His ancestors moved to Mauritius to work in the 19th century.
He went to Shree Shamboonath Government School and later Mauritius College. After finishing his studies, he became a lawyer in 1973. In that same year, he decided to enter politics by joining the Labour Party.
A Long Career in Politics
Kailash Purryag's political career began shortly after he became a lawyer. He was passionate about serving his country and took on many important roles over the years.
First Steps in Government
In 1976, Purryag was elected to the Legislative Assembly, which is now known as the National Assembly. This is where laws for the country are made. From 1980 to 1982, he served as the Minister of Social Security, working to help people in need.
He also played a key role in negotiating with the British Government to get fair compensation for the Ilois Community, people who were forced to leave their homes on the Chagos Islands.
Serving as a Minister and Deputy Prime Minister
Throughout his career, Purryag held several other high-level positions. These included:
- Minister of Health (1984–1986): He was in charge of the nation's healthcare system.
- Minister of Economic Planning, Information & Telecommunications (1995–1997): He helped plan the country's economy and oversee its communication systems.
- Deputy Prime Minister (1997–2000): He was the second-in-command in the government, assisting the Prime Minister.
Speaker of the National Assembly
From 2005 to 2012, Purryag served as the Speaker of the National Assembly. The Speaker acts like a referee during parliamentary debates, making sure everyone follows the rules and discussions are orderly. He held this important job right before he became president.
President of Mauritius (2012-2015)
On July 20, 2012, the National Assembly elected Kailash Purryag as the fifth President of Mauritius. The president is the head of state, a role that represents the entire nation. He officially took office the next day.
His presidency lasted until May 29, 2015. After a new government was elected in late 2014, Purryag agreed to step down. This allowed the new government's chosen candidate, Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, to become president. His decision helped ensure a smooth and stable transfer of power.
| Presidential styles of Kailash Purryag 2012 to 2015 |
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| Reference style | His Excellency, Mr. Kailash Purryag, President of the Republic of Mauritius |
| Spoken style | President Purryag |
| Alternative style | Mr. President |
Honours and Awards
Kailash Purryag received the two highest awards in Mauritius for his service to the nation.
National Honours
Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean (GCSK)- Grand Officer of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean (GOSK)
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Foreign Honours
Pravasi Bharatiya Samman: This is the highest award given by India to people of Indian origin living overseas.
Personal Life
Kailash Purryag married Aneetah Purryag in 1973. Together, they have one daughter and two grandchildren.
In 2013, during a visit to India, he went to a village in Patna where his great-grandfather had lived. His great-grandfather had moved to Mauritius in 1869 to work as an indentured labourer, which was a system where people were brought from one country to another to work, often on sugar plantations.
See also
In Spanish: Kailash Purryag para niños
- List of presidents of Mauritius
- First Lady of Mauritius
- Vice-President of Mauritius
- Prime Minister of Mauritius
