Africa-Press – Mauritius. The debates on the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Public Service and Innovation Bill, led by Minister of Civil Service Raj Pentiah, concluded with a remarkable tribute to this towering figure of Indian politics, Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Both Deputy Prime Minister and MMM leader Paul Bérenger and Prime Minister and Labour Party leader Navin Ramgoolam recognized that the stature of this Indian statesman, whose 100th birth anniversary was marked last December 25, went beyond the political gesture of naming the institute, which aims to revive the spirit of service in the public sector.
Paul Bérenger had set the tone earlier, emphasizing that naming the institute after Atal Bihari Vajpayee carries deep symbolism. “Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a great statesman.
Therefore, we have a duty to succeed (with the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Public Service and Innovation). We cannot afford to fail today as we create this institute,” he stressed, highlighting the importance of putting this initiative into perspective.
The Deputy Prime Minister detailed Vajpayee’s impressive political career, calling him “one of the greatest Prime Ministers India has produced since 1947.
” He was elected ten times and was one of the longest-serving members of the Indian Parliament.
Bérenger also recalled Vajpayee’s four visits to Mauritius: in 1978 as Foreign Minister, in 1993 as Leader of the Opposition, in September 1998 with Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam aboard his plane returning from South Africa, and in March 2000 as Prime Minister.
He paid tribute to Vajpayee’s efforts—despite being part of the BJP—to foster a rapprochement between India and Pakistan. Navin Ramgoolam reminisced about Vajpayee’s first visit in 1978 when he was India’s Foreign Minister.
Upon arrival, the then Prime Minister of Mauritius, Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, intended to personally welcome him at the airport but was initially told protocol would not allow it.
Nonetheless, given Vajpayee’s political stature, Sir Seewoosagur ignored protocol to give him a proper welcome befitting his rank. Ramgoolam also recalled Vajpayee’s magnanimity, noting that after losing elections in India, Vajpayee went with flowers to congratulate the winner, Manmohan Singh.
He wondered whether such a gesture would be possible in Mauritius and acknowledged Vajpayee as a great poet who devoted his life to public service. The Prime Minister expressed regret that he was unable to attend Vajpayee’s funeral in India due to travel restrictions but stated that on every trip to India, he makes it a point to visit Vajpayee’s samadhi (memorial).
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