Navin Ramgoolam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Navin Ramgoolam
GCSK FRCP
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Ramgoolam in 2024
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| Prime Minister of Mauritius | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assumed office 13 November 2024 |
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| President | Prithvirajsing Roopun Dharam Gokhool |
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| Deputy | Paul Bérenger | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Pravind Jugnauth | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 5 July 2005 – 13 December 2014 |
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| President | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deputy | Rashid Beebeejaun | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Paul Bérenger | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Anerood Jugnauth | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 27 December 1995 – 16 September 2000 |
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| President | Cassam Uteem | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deputy | Paul Bérenger Kailash Purryag |
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| Preceded by | Anerood Jugnauth | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Anerood Jugnauth | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Personal details | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born |
Navinchandra Ramgoolam
14 July 1947 Port Louis, British Mauritius |
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| Citizenship | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Political party | Labour Party | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Spouse |
Veena Ramgoolam (Brizmohun)
(m. 1979) |
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| Children | Xara Keiron Chandra Soornack (born 2009) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Parents |
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| Residences | Riverwalk, Floreal | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alma mater |
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| Profession | Politician, physician | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Signature |  |
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Navinchandra Ramgoolam (born 14 July 1947) is a well-known politician from Mauritius. He is currently serving as the prime minister of Mauritius, a position he took on in November 2024. He has been prime minister two times before, from 1995 to 2000 and again from 2005 to 2014. When he wasn't prime minister, he often served as the leader of the opposition, which means he led the main political party that was not in power.
Navin Ramgoolam is the son of Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, who was also a former prime minister and governor-general of Mauritius. Navin has been the leader of the Labour Party since 1991. After a big loss in the 2000 elections, he became prime minister for a second time when his group of parties, called Alliance Sociale, won the 2005 General Elections. Most recently, his new group, Alliance du Changement, won a huge victory in the 2024 general election. After the previous prime minister, Pravind Jugnauth, stepped down, Navin Ramgoolam was sworn in as prime minister for the third time.
Contents
Early Life and Schooling
Navin Ramgoolam was born in Port Louis, Mauritius. His parents were Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (often called SSR) and Sushil Ramjoorawon. His father, SSR, was a very important figure in Mauritian history, serving as the first chief minister and prime minister, and later as the 6th governor general. Navin's family roots trace back to India, with ancestors who moved to Mauritius in the 1800s from the Bhojpur district in Bihar.
His Education Journey
Navin Ramgoolam attended the Royal College Curepipe from 1960 to 1966. After that, he went to Ireland to study medicine from 1968 to 1975. There, he earned his medical degrees (LRCP&SI) from the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.
Returning to Mauritius
After his father passed away in 1985, Navin Ramgoolam was thinking about moving to Canada. However, two important political leaders, Satcam Boolell and Paul Bérenger, convinced him to come back to Mauritius. They wanted him to lead the Labour Party and form a political team to challenge the government at the time.
From 1985 to 1987, Ramgoolam worked as a doctor at Dr A.G. Jeetoo Hospital in Mauritius. In 1987, he moved to the United Kingdom to study law at the London School of Economics and Political Science. He finished his law degree in 1990 and then returned to Mauritius. Soon after, he became the leader of the Labour Party and ran in the 1991 general election.
Political Career Highlights
Navin Ramgoolam's political journey has included several terms as prime minister and leader of the opposition. He has led his party through many elections, forming different alliances to win power.
1995 General Election
In 1995, the Labour Party and the MMM (Mauritian Militant Movement) joined forces for the elections. This alliance won all 60 seats that were directly elected from the main island of Mauritius. The Labour Party won 35 seats, and the MMM won 25. Navin Ramgoolam became prime minister, with Paul Bérenger as his deputy. However, this alliance did not last long, and Ramgoolam removed Bérenger from his position in 1997. Bérenger then became the leader of the opposition, and Ramgoolam led a government made up only of his own party.
2000 General Election
For the 2000 elections, Anerood Jugnauth and Paul Bérenger formed a new alliance. They agreed that Jugnauth would be prime minister for the first three years, then step down to become president, allowing Bérenger to take over as prime minister. Navin Ramgoolam, on the other hand, formed an alliance with the Mauritian Party of Xavier-Luc Duval (PMXD). The MSM/MMM alliance won a large majority, taking 54 out of 60 directly elected seats. Ramgoolam kept his own seat and became the leader of the opposition.
2005 General Election
Navin Ramgoolam's group, the Alliance Social, won the general elections against the MSM/MMM government that was in power. He was appointed prime minister again, with his alliance winning 38 out of 60 seats. His alliance also won the local elections in 2006, which led to the MSM/MMM coalition breaking up.
2010 General Election
As the 2010 elections approached, Ramgoolam decided in 2008 to support Jugnauth for re-election as president. This was to prevent Jugnauth from returning to parliament, where Ramgoolam saw him as a potential challenge. Jugnauth agreed, but only if the Labour Party and the MSM formed an alliance. This new group, called the Alliance de L'Avenir, also included the PMSD.
The Alliance de L'Avenir won 41 out of 60 directly elected seats. Ramgoolam remained prime minister, and Pravind Jugnauth, Anerood Jugnauth's son, became his deputy. Later, due to some issues involving members of the MSM, Ramgoolam removed the MSM from the government.
2014 General Election
The general elections were moved up to December 2014. The Labour Party formed a new alliance with the MMM. They suggested changing the constitution to give the president more power. Ramgoolam and Bérenger said the election was about this idea, which they called the "Second Republic." If their alliance won more than 45 seats, the constitution would change, and Ramgoolam would become president, with Bérenger taking over as prime minister.
They were opposed by the Alliance Lepep, led by the MSM, which also included the PMSD and a new party called Muvman Liberater. The Alliance Lepep was against the idea of a "Second Republic." They won 47 out of 60 seats. The Labour-MMM alliance only won 13 seats. Ramgoolam lost his own seat for the first time in his political career. On 12 December 2014, he resigned as Prime Minister of Mauritius.
2019 General Election
Even though he lost his seat in 2014, Ramgoolam remained the leader of the Labour Party. He again led the party in the November 2019 elections. Before the elections, he formed a group called Alliance Nationale with the Parti Mauricien Social Démocrate and Mouvement Jean-Claude Barbier. This time, Ramgoolam ran in a different area, Constituency No.10 Montagne Blanche and Grand River South East. However, he was not elected to the National Assembly again.
2024 General Election
The general election was held on 10 November 2024. The Labour Party, along with the MMM, Nouveau Démocrate, and Rezistans ek Alternativ, formed the "Alliance du changement." This group ran against the "Alliance Lepep" (made up of the MSM, Muvman Liberater, and the PMSD). The Alliance du changement won the general election by a landslide, taking all 60 seats.
Political Views
In 2024, Navin Ramgoolam expressed concerns about an agreement made by the previous government regarding the Chagos Archipelago. He described the agreement as a "sellout." After becoming prime minister later that year, Ramgoolam ordered an independent review to look closely at the agreement.
Awards and Honours
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Navin Ramgoolam has received many awards and special recognitions throughout his career.
National Honours
Mauritius:
Grand Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean (2008)
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Foreign Honours
France:
Grand Officer of the Order of Legion of Honour
India:
Recipient of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman (2008)
Other Recognitions
He has also been recognized by several universities and organizations:
- In 1998, he became an honorary fellow of the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).
- He received honorary doctorates from the University of Mauritius, Aligarh Muslim University (India), and Jawaharlal Nehru University (India) in October 2005.
- In March 2006, he was made a Grand Officier de la Légion d'honneur by France.
- He received the Wilberforce Medal from the Wilberforce Lecture Trust in the UK in June 2007.
- In August 2007, he received The Rajiv Gandhi Award from India.
- In January 2008, he received the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award from the Government of India.
- In Paris, he received the Prix Louise Michel, an award given to people who make outstanding contributions in politics.
- He was made a Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) by the Padmashree Dr D. Y. Patil University, India, in February 2009.
- In May 2009, he became a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (FRCP) of the Royal College of Physicians, London.
- He received an honorary doctorate from Staffordshire University, UK, in July 2010.
- In April 2011, he received the Order of the Rule of Law from the World Jurist Association, United States.
- He was made an Overseas Bencher by the Inner Temple, UK, in April 2011.
- In February 2012, he received a Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa) from Kurukshetra University, India.
Personal Life
On 8 July 1979, Navin Ramgoolam married Veena Brizmohun. Veena grew up in England and was studying social sciences at the University of London. Their wedding ceremony was a big event, attended by important people like the Governor General Dayendranath Burrenchobay and opposition leader Anerood Jugnauth. After their wedding, the couple returned to London, where Veena planned to finish her studies, and Navin wanted to specialize in cardiology.
See also
In Spanish: Navinchandra Ramgoolam para niños
- List of prime ministers of Mauritius
- Bihari Mauritians
