PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF MAURITIUS - MR DHARAMBEER GOKHOOL – ELECTION

Madam Speaker, I beg to move that pursuant to section 28 of the Constitution of the Republic of Mauritius, Mr Dharambeer Gokhool be elected President of the Republic of Mauritius. The Deputy Prime Minister rose and seconded. The motion was, on question put, agreed to.

Hon. Members, I declare Mr Dharambeer Gokhool elected President of the Republic of Mauritius. On behalf of the Assembly and in my own name, I offer Mr Dharambeer Gokhool my sincere congratulations and wish him a fulfilling career.

Madam Speaker, allow me please to say a few words about the newly elected President of the Republic of Mauritius, Mr Dharambeer Gokhool. Mr Dharambeer Gokhool, also known as Dharam Gokhool, was born on 25 October 1949 at Plaine des Roches in a family of nine children, his father being a labourer and his mother was a housewife. Mr Gokhool went to the Roches Noires Government School and stood out as a brilliant student, so much so that on completion of his primary education, the Head Teacher of the school, Mr Abdool Raman Kasenally, asked his mother to come and see him and he told Mr Gokhool’s mother that she should allow his son to follow higher studies as he was a brilliant student. That initiative of Mr Kasenally changed the destiny of Mr Dharam Gokhool for his mother then decided to make the necessary sacrifices to send him to Mapou Government School. In 1975, he embarked on higher studies at Delhi University. Following his higher studies at Delhi University, in 1975 he subsequently served in different key positions at the University of Mauritius from Lecturer to Associate Professor and Dean of the Faculty. As a seasoned academic, Mr Gokhool has also earned international recognition and in 2005, obtained the distinction of officier dans l’Ordre des Palmes 2008 académiques du gouvernement français. In addition to his impressive professional track record, Mr Gokhool has also served at the political level in different positions. He was first elected to the National Assembly in 1982 under the banner of the MMM. He was then re-elected in 1987 and in 1991. He became Mayor for Vacoas-Phoenix from 1991 to 1993. He served as Parliamentary Private Secretary from 1993 to 1994. He then joined the Mauritius Labour Party and became the Administrative Secretary in 2003 and Secretary General from 2004 to 2005. He then became Minister of Education and Human Resources from 2005 to 2008 and Minister of Industry, Science and Research from 2008 to 2010. Mr Gokhool, Madam Speaker, has always discharged his duties in his various capacities with a high sense of loyalty, responsibility, commitment, integrity, and competence. I have no doubt that Mr Gokhool will hold the standards of the Presidency with a decorum that this Office demands. On behalf of all the members of the National Assembly, and in my own name, I wish to convey to Mr Gokhool our sincere congratulations. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you.

(Applause)

VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF MAURITIUS – MR JEAN YVAN ROBERT HUNGLEY – ELECTION

Madam Speaker, I beg to move that pursuant to section 29 of the Constitution of the Republic of Mauritius, Mr Jean Yvan Robert Hungley be elected Vice-President of the Republic of Mauritius. The Deputy Prime Minister rose and seconded. The motion was, on question put, agreed to.

Hon. Members, I declare Mr Jean Yvan Robert Hungley elected Vice-President of the Republic of Mauritius. On behalf of the Assembly and in my own name, I offer Mr Jean Yvan Robert Hungley my sincere congratulations and wish him well in shouldering his new responsibilities.

Madam Speaker, with your permission, I shall say a few words about the newly elected Vice-President of the Republic of Mauritius, Mr Jean Yvan Robert Hungley. Mr Hungley, who is also known as Robert Hungley, was born on 15 February 1957 in Rose-Hill. His father was working at the Mauritius Docks and his mother was a known social activist. Mr Hungley took up freight forwarding as a profession while being also involved in political and social activities since an early age. He was elected as Municipal Councillor for Beau Bassin-Rose Hill in 1995 and 2001, and he served as Mayor from 2004 to 2005. Madam Speaker, I am confident that Mr Hungley will discharge his new state duties as Vice-President of the Republic of Mauritius diligently. I wish him well and congratulate him on behalf of the Members of the National Assembly, and in my own name. Thank you.

(Applause)

With your permission, Madam Speaker.

Yes, Deputy Prime Minister.

I join with what the hon. Prime Minister has just said concerning Mr Robert Hungley, Madam Speaker. Je n’ai aucun doute qu’après avoir été tout au long de sa vie un excellent militant, Robert Hungley sera un excellent Vice-président de la République qui fera honneur à toute l’île Maurice et, surtout, à tous les militants et militantes. Je vous remercie.

(Applause)

Je vous en prie. Hon. Prime Minister, do you want to move for the adjournment?