Pahlad Ramsurrun

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Pahlad Ramsurrun
Born (1937-10-04) October 4, 1937 (age 88)
Bois Jacot, Amaury, Mauritius
NationalityMauritian
Alma materSri Venkateshwara College, University of Delhi (BA)
Occupation(s)Writer, Editor, Historian, Educationist, Freelance Journalist
Years active1964–present
Known forMauritius Ki Lok Kathayen (Folk Tales of Mauritius); Mahatma Gandhi and his Impact on Mauritius; Indradhanush (trilingual quarterly magazine)
Spouse(s)Ilwantee Ramsurrun, born Mungutroy (m.1967)
ChildrenSangeeta Ramsurrun-Nunkoo, Avinash Ramsurrun, Pramodh Ramsurrun
RelativesMadhookur Ramsurrun (brother), Bhuvesh Ramsurrun (brother)
Awards
  • President’s Meritorious Service Medal (P.M.S.M.) (2005)
  • Member of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean (M.S.K.) (2011)
  • Pravasi Bharatiya Hindi Bushan Samman (2014)
  • Hindi Ratna Award (2017)
  • Lifetime Achievement Award, Ministry of Arts & Cultural Heritage (2024)
Website www.pahladramsurrun.com
Signature
SignaturePR.jpg

Pahlad Ramsurrun is a Mauritian writer. [1] [2] As of 2016, he had authored 70 books [3] in Hindi, English, and French, covering subjects such as folk tales, history, culture, and Hindi literature. [4] His works include Mauritius ki lok kathayen [5] (Folk Tales of Mauritius), which has been translated into several languages [6] , and Mahatma Gandhi and his Impact on Mauritius. [7]

Contents

In addition to his writing, Ramsurrun taught Hindi at primary and secondary levels in Mauritius, eventually serving as Education Officer and Head of the Oriental Languages Department in several state colleges. [8] He is also the chief editor of Indradhanush, [9] a trilingual literary quarterly magazine published in Hindi, English, and French. [10] [11] [12]

Early life

Ramsurrun was born on 4 October 1937 at Bois Jacot, Amaury, in Mauritius [13] [14] , the second of five children of Keerodur Ramsurrun, a labourer, and Soondree Ramsurrun (née Parboteeah), a housewife. [15] [16] His father worked as a day labourer in the nearby sugar estates of Mon Loisir, Belle Vue Maurel and Saint Antoine, and also cultivated sugar cane and vegetables on rented land. [17] His mother contributed to the household by raising cattle and producing handicraft bags and baskets made from vacoas leaves (Pandanus iceryi), which were sold at the nearby market of Rivière du Rempart. [18] Ramsurrun initially attended primary school in Laventure before transferring to Belle Vue Maurel Government School. In 1949 the family relocated to Brisée Verdière, where he completed his primary education. [19] The family later moved to Vallée des Prêtres, near Port Louis, in 1956. [20]

Education

Ramsurrun began his primary education at the Aryan Vedic School of Laventure before transferring to Belle Vue Maurel Government School and later Brisée Verdière Anglican Aided School, where he completed Standard VI at the age of 16 [21] . Frequent school changes and exam retakes, partly due to family relocation and financial hardship, reportedly disrupted his academic progress. [22]

After primary school at Brisée Verdière, Ramsurrun faced significant challenges in accessing formal secondary education, yet he remained determined to pursue learning. [23] [24] Influenced by local teachers who encouraged his interest in academic study and Hindi language instruction, he began preparing for examinations through evening classes. [25] In 1955 he passed the Parichay examination organised by the Hindi Pracharini Sabha, and later the Prathama in 1962. [26]

In 1956, when the family moved from Brisée Verdière to Vallée des Prêtres, Ramsurrun was 19 years old. Living near Port Louis, the capital of Mauritius, provided him with greater opportunities for part-time work as well as access to educational resources such as public libraries, secondary schools, and private tuition. [27] Around that period, he met Professor Basdeo Bissoondoyal, who referred him to his brother, Sookdeo Bissoondoyal, for private tuition. [28] Ramsurrun studied under Sookdeo Bissoondoyal up to Form III before enrolling at the Port Louis High School in 1961, where he attended classes for two years. [29] [30] At Port Louis High School, Heeralall Bhugaloo, Gunnoo Gangaram and Boodram Pratab became his English, Health Science and History teachers respectively. [31]

To finance his studies, Ramsurrun worked part-time. Each morning he delivered bread from a local bakery in Sainte-Croix to households in Vallée des Prêtres and surrounding areas such as Roche Bois, Terre Rouge, and Baie du Tombeau. [32] He also cultivated vegetables, particularly lettuce and spring onions, which he sold locally, including to a tea shop in Port Louis. With the income from these activities, he supported himself through school. Ramsurrun's studies at Port Louis High School paid off when he passed the General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level (GCE O-Level) examination in Hindi and History. [33] With the new and previously acquired Hindi qualifications, Ramsurrun secured a place at the Teachers’ Training College in Beau Bassin as a trainee Hindi teacher in 1964. [34] After completing his training, he was appointed to his first permanent post as a primary school Hindi teacher in 1965 [35]

In November 1967, Ramsurrun married Ilwantee Mungutroy and settled in Beau Bassin. [36] While continuing to work as a primary school teacher, he prepared privately for the Cambridge School Certificate (S.C.) examination, which he passed in 1969 (in six subjects). [37] That same year, to commemorate the birth centenary of Mahatma Gandhi, the Indian Council for International Cooperation (ICIC) organised an international essay competition entitled "Relation between Your Country and India". [38] Ramsurrun entered the competition after seeing an announcement in Aryoday, a weekly newspaper of the Arya Samaj in Mauritius. He won third prize and travelled to New Delhi to receive his award from Gulzarilal Nanda, then Railway Minister of India. [39] Reporting on the event, The Hindustan Times (21 February 1970) noted: “Pahlad Ramsurrun has been one of the winners from other lands (Mauritius). He delivered a brilliant exposé in chaste Hindi at Mavlankar Bhawan, New Delhi, and drew a brief outline of the history of Mauritius and the way the people there have been influenced by Indian thoughts and ideas.” [40] Ramsurrun’s journey to India to collect the prize also became an opportunity for him to pursue higher education at the University of Delhi.

Career

Ramsurrun began his professional career in 1964 when he enrolled at the Teachers' Training College in Beau Bassin to train as a primary school Hindi teacher. [41] After completing his training, he worked in primary education for five years before leaving for India in 1970 to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, Hindi, History, and Political Science at Sri Venkateswara College, University of Delhi. [42] [43]

On his return to Mauritius in 1973 with his B.A degree, Ramsurrun spent a spell of six months teaching Hindi at St-Enfant Jesus Government School in Rose-Hill, [44] before being appointed as an Education Officer to teach Hindi at the Royal College Curepipe. [45] [46] Eventually, he became Head of the Oriental Languages Department at the college, and later held similar positions at Gaetan Raynal State College, Droopnath Ramphul State College, and Royal College Port Louis, where he remained until his retirement in 1997. [47] As such, Ramsurrun is reportedly known for his contribution to the Hindi language in Mauritius, in addition to being one of the first generations of Hindi teachers to start teaching Hindi at secondary school in the country. [48]

Alongside his teaching career, Ramsurrun established himself as a writer, editor and historian. [49] By 2016, he had authored 70 books, including Folk Tales of Mauritius and Mahatma Gandhi and his impact on Mauritius. [50] He writes in Hindi, English, and French, with subject areas ranging from folk tales and Hindi literature to history and culture. His first book, Illustrated History of the Arya Samaj Movement in Mauritius, was published in 1970. [51] [52] In addition to his work as an author, Ramsurrun has contributed articles as a freelance journalist, both nationally and internationally. [53] He also serves as chief editor of Indradhanush, a trilingual quarterly magazine published in Hindi, English, and French. [54] [55]

Legacy

Indradhanush

On 12 August 1988, Ramsurrun and his collaborators founded the Indradhanush Sanskritic Parishad, a cultural movement aimed at promoting Hindi literature and multicultural awareness in Mauritius. [56] To support its mission, Ramsurrun launched Indradhanush, [57] a quarterly Hindi-language magazine, the first issue of which appeared on 17 December 1988. In interviews, Ramsurrun explained that the magazine was intended to highlight overlooked figures in Mauritian history and literature, such as Manilal Doctor, Pandit Atmaram, and Robert Edward Hart, whose contributions had not been officially recognised at the time. [58]

For its first thirteen years, Indradhanush was published exclusively in Hindi. Recognising the limitations of this readership, Ramsurrun decided in 2000 to expand its reach by publishing it in three languages—Hindi, English, and French—in a single volume. To some extent, it was aimed at reflecting the linguistic pluralism of Mauritius. [59] The inaugural trilingual edition, released in September 2000, was dedicated to Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam [60] , and included 250 pages and contributions from over 75 collaborators [61] . It was the first trilingual magazine of its kind in Mauritius. Since then, Indradhanush has attracted a readership both locally and internationally, with subscribers in countries including the United Kingdom and Canada. [62]

Research on Gandhi’s 1901 visit to Mauritius

Ramsurrun’s book Mahatma Gandhi and his impact on Mauritius [63] (1995) addressed longstanding uncertainties surrounding Gandhi’s brief visit to the island in 1901. [64] For decades, conflicting or incomplete accounts of the visit existed, with some history books omitting it entirely and others giving contradictory dates and details. [65] Through extensive research in libraries, archives, newspapers, and unpublished documents, Ramsurrun reconstructed a detailed chronology of the visit. [66] He concluded that Gandhi arrived in Port Louis on 29 October 1901 aboard the S.S. Nowshera and departed on 15 November 1901. [67]

During his 18-day stay, Gandhi resided with Ahmed Goolam Mohamed in Port Louis and attended three documented events: a visit to the Supreme Court (5 November), a banquet at the Governor’s residence at Le Réduit (9 November), and a banquet hosted by Muslim traders in Port Louis (13 November). [68] By establishing these dates and events, Ramsurrun argued that Gandhi’s stay was limited to Port Louis and Le Réduit, contrary to later claims that he travelled further afield. His findings, based on contemporary press reports, corrected earlier inconsistencies and clarified the chronology of Gandhi's 1901 visit to Mauritius. [69]

Awards and honours

Bibliography

References

  1. ↑ Carpen, Indradev. "Pahlad Ramsurrun a prolific writer". DEfi Media. Retrieved 2025-08-31.
  2. ↑ Martial, Yvan (4 January 2016). "Anusandhan Yatra consacre un numéro spécial à Pahlad Ramsurrun". www.mauritiustimes.com (in French). Retrieved 28 September 2025.
  3. ↑ Jaffer, Askari (2016-08-17). "Promoting Hindi in Mauritius". The Hans India. Retrieved 2025-08-27.
  4. ↑ "Pahlad Ramsurrun". Openlibrary.org. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  5. ↑ Carpen, Indradev. "Pahlad Ramsurrun a prolific writer". DEfi Media. Retrieved 2025-09-25.
  6. ↑ Jaffer, Askari (2016-08-17). "Promoting Hindi in Mauritius". The Hans India. Retrieved 2025-08-27.
  7. ↑ "Mahatma Gandhi and his impact on Mauritius/Pahlad Ramsurrun". catalogue.nla.gov.au. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  8. ↑ Ramsurrun, Pahlad (19 July 2021). "MY CINE-MENTOR IS NO MORE – I became a writer… thanks to Dilip Kumar". Lemauricien.com. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  9. ↑ Ramsurrun, Pahlad (18 August 2018). "The history of Hindi journalism in Mauritius (V) : 'Indradhanush'". www.lemauricien.com. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
  10. ↑ Patel, Shenaz (15 February 2004). "Une revue trilingue pour propager la connaissance multiculturelle". Week-end (in French).
  11. ↑ Jaffer, Askari (17 August 2016). "Promoting Hindi in Mauritius". The Hans India. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
  12. ↑ Martial, Yvan (4 January 2016). "Anusandhan Yatra consacre un numéro spécial à Pahlad Ramsurrun". www.mauritiustimes.com (in French). Retrieved 28 September 2025.
  13. ↑ "Pahlad Ramsurrun ou la soif de connaissance". lexpress.mu (in French). 16 February 2004. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  14. ↑ "Pahlad Ramsurrun: the pioneer of Hindi teaching in secondary schools". dharma-foundation.com. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
  15. ↑ "Keerodhur Ramsurrun les secrets de sa longévité". Lexpress.mu (in French). Retrieved 28 September 2025.
  16. ↑ "Un nouveau centenaire, Keerodur Ramsurrun". Le Socialiste (in French). 9 May 2008.
  17. ↑ "Another Centenarian Keerodur Ramsurrun". Mauritius Times. 9–15 May 2008.
  18. ↑ Ramsurrun, Pahlad (12 May 2008). "Keerodur Ramsurrun – The Centenarian". Le Socialiste.
  19. ↑ K. Daby, Pradeep (11–17 February 2006). "Pahlad Ramsurrun: "Mon combat, mes défis". Le DéFi Plus (in French).
  20. ↑ Cadervaloo, Soondress (2007). "Une Bataille Tranquille". In Martial, Yvan; Boolell, Shakuntala (eds.). Pahlad Ramsurrun – A Man at the Service of Great Causes (in French). Sterling Publishers Private Limited.
  21. ↑ Daby, Pradeep K. (11–17 February 2006). "Pahlad Ramsurrun:"Mes combat, mes défis"". Le défi Plus (in French).
  22. ↑ Ram Sharma, Dr Bhakta (7 October 1994). "A Literary Profile of Pahlad Ramsurrun". L'express.
  23. ↑ Martial, Yvan (16 April 1996). "L'enfant de l'Amaury qui rêvait d'un B.A". Zéclair (in French).
  24. ↑ "Pahlad Ramsurrun: the pioneer of Hindi teaching in secondary schools". dharma-foundation.com. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
  25. ↑ Ragoonundun, Sheila (17–23 January 2003). "Un éditeur un peu à part". La Gazette de Maurice (in French).
  26. ↑ Ramsurrun, Pahlad (13 January 2024). "How I met Raj Kappor in Kashmir?". Le Mauricien.
  27. ↑ Rughoonundun, Sheila (2007). "A Cycle of Desires and Ambition". In Martial, Yvan; Boolell, Shakuntala (eds.). Pahlad Ramsurrun – A Man at the Service of Great Causes. Sterling Publishers Private Limited.
  28. ↑ Martial, Yvan (2007). "L'enfant de l'Amaury qui rêvet d'un B.A.". In Martial, Yvan; Boolell, Shakuntala (eds.). Pahlad Ramsurrun – A Man at the Service of Great Causes (in French). Sterling Publishers Private Limited. p. 185.
  29. ↑ "Chronique de la patience". Lexpress.mu (in French). 11 October 2007. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
  30. ↑ Martial, Yvan; Boolell, Shakuntala, eds. (2007). "Appendix (a) A short biographical sketch of Pahlad Ramsurrun". Pahlad Ramsurrun – A Man at the Service of Great Causes. Sterling Publishers Private Limited.
  31. ↑ Ramsurrun, Pahlad (19 July 2021). "MY CINE-MENTOR IS NO MORE - I became a writer...thanks to Dilip Kumar". Le Mauricien.com. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
  32. ↑ Rughoonundun, Sheila (2007). "A Cycle of Desires and Ambition". In Martial, Yvan; Boolell, Shakuntala (eds.). Pahlad Ramsurrun – A Man at the Service of Great Causes. Sterling Publishers Private Limited. p. 87.
  33. ↑ Ramsurrun, Pahlad (19 July 2021). "MY CINE-MENTOR IS NO MORE - I became a writer...thanks to Dilip Kumar". Le Mauricien.com. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
  34. ↑ Emmanuel, Juste (3 July 1980). "Les contes populaires de Maurice de Pahlad Ramsurrun". L'express (in French).
  35. ↑ Ram Sharma, Dr Bhakta (2007). "A Literary Profile of Pahlad Ramsurrun". In Martial, Yvan; Boolell, Shakuntala (eds.). Pahlad Ramsurrun – A Man at the Service of Great Causes. Sterling Publishers Private Limited. p. 26.
  36. ↑ Ramsurrun, Pahlad (13 January 2024). "How I met Raj Kappor in Kashmir?". Le Mauricien.
  37. ↑ Martial, Yvan (16 April 1996). "L'enfant de l'Amaury qui rêvait d'un B.A". Zéclair (in French).
  38. ↑ Curpen, Indradev. "Pahlad Ramsurrun a prolific writer". Defimedia.info. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
  39. ↑ Sangeeta Ramsurrun-Nunkoo, About Pahlad Ramsurrun, Official website of Pahlad Ramsurrun.
  40. ↑ "Prize Winners". The Hindustan Times. 21 February 1970.
  41. ↑ Emmanuel, Juste (3 July 1980). "Les contes populaires de Maurice de Pahlad Ramsurrun". L'express (in French).
  42. ↑ Neerputh, Navin Kumar (3 December 1993). "L'apport de Ramsurrun à la litérature de L'expression Hindi". L'express (in French).
  43. ↑ Martial, Yvan; Boolell, Shakuntala, eds. (2007). "Appendix (a) A short biographical sketch of Pahlad Ramsurrun". Pahlad Ramsurrun – A Man at the Service of Great Causes. Sterling Publishers Private Limited.
  44. ↑ Ramsurrun, Pahlad (19 July 2021). "MY CINE-MENTOR IS NO MORE - I became a writer...thanks to Dilip Kumar". Le Mauricien.com. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
  45. ↑ Shankar, Vijay (7 December 2008). "Pahlad Ramsurrun: homme universel". Week-end (in French).
  46. ↑ Cadervaloo, Soondress (2007). "Une Bataille Tranquille". In Martial, Yvan; Boolell, Shakuntala (eds.). Pahlad Ramsurrun – A Man at the Service of Great Causes (in French). Sterling Publishers Private Limited. p. 71.
  47. ↑ Bachoo, A.K. (2007). "Foreword". In Martial, Yvan; Boolell, Shakuntala (eds.). Pahlad Ramsurrun – A Man at the Service of Great Causes. Sterling Publishers Private Limited.
  48. ↑ "Pahlad Ramsurrun: the pioneer of Hindi teaching in secondary schools". dharma-foundation.com. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
  49. ↑ Ramsurrun, Pahlad. "Editor, Writer & Historian from Mauritius Island". pahladramsurrun.com. Retrieved 2025-08-23.
  50. ↑ Jaffer, Askari (2016-08-17). "Promoting Hindi in Mauritius". The Hans India. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
  51. ↑ "SearchWorks Catalog". Stanford University. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  52. ↑ Mulloo, Anand (2007). "The making of a writer". In Martial, Yvan; Boolell, Shakuntala (eds.). Pahlad Ramsurrun – A Man at the Service of Great Causes. Sterling Publishers Private Limited.
  53. ↑ Gopaul, Balmookoond (2007). "Pahlad in International Press". In Martial, Yvan; Boolell, Shakuntala (eds.). Pahlad Ramsurrun – A Man at the Service of Great Causes. Sterling Publishers Private Limited.
  54. ↑ Jaffer, Askari (2016-08-17). "Promoting Hindi in Mauritius". The Hans India. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
  55. ↑ Neerputh, Navin Kumar (2007). "Ramsurrun ou l'amour du journalisme". In Martial, Yvan; Boolell, Shakuntala (eds.). Pahlad Ramsurrun – A Man at the Service of Great Causes (in French). Sterling Publishers Private Limited.
  56. ↑ Gopal, Sunil (22 November 2008). "Indradhanush a 20 ans". Le Matinal (in French).
  57. ↑ Ramsurrun, Pahlad (18 August 2018). "The history of Hindi journalism in Mauritius (V) : 'Indradhanush'". www.lemauricien.com. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
  58. ↑ Patel, Shenaz (15 February 2004). "Une revue trilingue pour propager la connaissance multiculturelle". Week-end (in French).
  59. ↑ "Pahlad Ramsurrun: the pioneer of Hindi teaching in secondary schools". dharma-foundation.com. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
  60. ↑ Burrun, B (2007). "L'objectif de l'Indradhanush trilingue". In Martial, Yvan; Boolell, Shakuntala (eds.). Pahlad Ramsurrun – A Man at the Service of Great Causes (in French). Sterling Publishers Private Limited. p. 91.
  61. ↑ Patel, Shenaz (2007). "Une revue trilingue pour propager la connaissance multiculturelle". In Martial, Yvan; Boolell, Shakuntala (eds.). Pahlad Ramsurrun – A Man at the Service of Great Causes (in French). Sterling Publishers Private Limited. p. 229.
  62. ↑ Gopal, Sunil (22 November 2008). "Sunil Gopal journeys down the ages to find out the roots of many literary movements in Mauritius". Le Matinal Weekly.
  63. ↑ "Mahatma Gandhi and his impact on Mauritius/Pahlad Ramsurrun". catalogue.nla.gov.au. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  64. ↑ Roy, Ashoke (2007). "Ramsurrun's searches". In Martial, Yvan; Boolell, Shakuntala (eds.). Pahlad Ramsurrun – A Man at the Service of Great Causes. Sterling Publishers Private Limited. p. 105.
  65. ↑ Ramsurrun, Pahlad (1 October 2021). "How M.K. Gandhi's Mauritian Visit of 1901 Fell into Oblivion". Le Mauricien. Retrieved 2025-08-20.
  66. ↑ "Where Gandhian spirit invaded Mauritius". The Chandigarh Tribune (India). 13 August 1995.
  67. ↑ Mukharji, Shantanu. "India-Mauritius: A Mutually Rewarding Partnership of Choice". natstrat.org. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
  68. ↑ Ramlallah, Madhukar (26 October 2001). "Pahlad Ramsurrun on Mahatma Gandhi and Mauritius". Mauritius Times.
  69. ↑ "Where Gandhian spirit invaded Mauritius". The Chandigarh Tribune (India). 13 August 1995.
  70. ↑ "National Day Honours 2005" (PDF). Prime Minister's Office, Government of Mauritius. 12 March 2005. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
  71. ↑ "National Day Honours 2011" (PDF). Prime Minister's Office, Government of Mauritius. 12 March 2011. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
  72. ↑ "HINDI: Pahlad Ramsurrun honoré par le Hindi Santham d'Uttar Pradesh". Lemauricien.com. 29 November 2014. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
  73. ↑ "DISTINCTION: Pahlad Ramsurrun reçoit le prestigieux Hindi Ratna Award". Lemauricien.com. 25 June 2017. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
  74. ↑ "Lifetime Achievement Award : Des artistes récompensés pour leur contribution dans leur domaine". Ion News. 7 April 2024. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
  75. ↑ "SearchWorks Catalog". Stanford University. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  76. ↑ "Folk Tales of Mauritius". www.hindibook.com. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  77. ↑ "Mahatma Gandhi and his impact on Mauritius / Pahlad Ramsurrun". nla.gov.au. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  78. ↑ "Lancement de trois livres de contes folkloriques réédités par Palhad Ramsurrun". www.mauritiustimes.com (in French). May 2015. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
  79. ↑ "Lancement de trois livres de contes folkloriques réédités par Palhad Ramsurrun". www.mauritiustimes.com (in French). May 2015. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
  80. ↑ "Golden Legends Mauritius". www.goodreads.com. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  81. ↑ "Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam: Battles for a Democratic Constitution of Mauritius". google.co.uk. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  82. ↑ "Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam: Battles for a Democratic Constitution of Mauritius". biblio.ie. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
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