141st Birth Anniversary of Manilal Maganlal Doctor Celebrated.

PORT LOUIS: After two years of covid disruption, as per Indo-Mauritians tradition on 28 July 2022, a garlanding ceremony was held at the Manilal Maganlal Doctor Memorial Statue located in the ‘Company Garden of Port Louis’. The event was led by the Manilal Maganlal Doctor Memorial Association in collaboration with the Ministry of Art and Culture, Municipality of Port Louis and Aapravasi Ghat Trust Fund. This ceremony was organized to commemorate the 141st birth anniversary of Manilal Maganlal Doctor, the first great hero of the Indian immigrant’s community. The representatives of all religions paid tribute to the virtuous soul by prayer. Shri Narayainsamy Sanyasi GOSK, MSK, Secretary of Manilal Maganlal Doctor Memorial Association welcomed everyone present at the event and expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Arts and Cultural Heritage, Municipality of Port Louis and Aapravasi Ghat Trust Fund for making the event a success. A pamphlet on Manilal Maganlal Doctor was launched by the Hon Avinash Teeluck, Minister of Arts and Cultural Heritage, Lord Mayor of Port Louis Mr Mahfooz Moussa Cadersaib, First Secretary and Head of Chancery, High Commission of India Mr Ankush Kapoor and ex Vice President His Excellency Paramasivum Piillay Vyapoory.
On this auspicious occasion, the president of Manilal Maganlal Doctor Memorial Association, Mr. Binaiduth Ramkisoon emphasized that we should remember Manilal Doctor Ji not only on the 28th of July. Infact, our future generation should remember him every day. Such a great personality, incredible Manilal Maganlal Doctor, great man of history is known for justice, truth, indomitable courage and fighting character for safeguarding the truth and he has been a source of inspiration for one and all. Speaking further, he said that even in Mauritius, we are celebrating the 75th Anniversary of Indian Independence and on such a happy occasion, the birth anniversary of such a great man in our country certainly gives us the nectar of freedom. Recently, the Vice President of our Association, Dr. Krishna Kumar Jha, organized a grand program with the children of ‘Baithakas’ on behalf of the Department of Creative Writing and Publishing, Mahatma Gandhi Institute to commemorate the Amrit Mahotsav of Indian Independence. The welfare of the society and the country is done by such an event. We are confident that if our association continues to get such support, we will be able to organize more new activities in the future.
The treasurer of the association, Mrs. Kavita devi Ramful, recited a poem written by Mauritius national poet Brajendra Madhukar Bhagat, “Mitai Dasata Sab Ki, Dilai Humko Azadi” which was very interesting. Mr. Mahfouz Moussa Cadersaib, Lord Mayor of Port Louis reminded that on the inspiration of Gandhiji, on 11 October 1907, Manilal Doctor came to Mauritius to fight for the deplorable conditions of Indian immigrants and their rights. After studying law from Mumbai University, he completed his studies of Bar at Law from Middle Temple in London. He fought courageously in the Supreme Court of Mauritius over the objection to coming in Indian garb and wearing a turban on his head. His victory saved the honour of the diaspora. He was the man of action and vision. Due to his efforts, in 1909 the inhuman laws related to the deduction of two days’ wages of laborers working in the sugar cane fields of Mauritius on a day’s leave came to an end. The inspiration for the establishment of Arya Samaj in Mauritius was also successful due to his efforts. Our council will always continue to give its support on his birth anniversary. It goes without saying that due to the contribution of such a great man, we all Mauritians are leading a happy life today.
Mr. Ankush Kapoor, First Secretary and Head of Chancery, High Commission of India so beautifully mentioned that Manilal Doctor was Indian by birth but Mauritian and Fijian by karma. In order to bring awareness about the social and political rights of the Indian diaspora, he fought against the British and brought out a bilingual weekly paper called Hindustani on 15 March 1909, which was published in Hindi and English as daily newspaper despite some issues.
In this way, along with creating awareness among the Indian diaspora in Mauritius, the Hindustani newspaper became the driving force and imperative in the field of journalism in this country. When he came to Mauritius again in 17th January 1950, he was very happy to see the conditions of the people of Indian origin and the socio-political and economic progress. In the end, he appreciated that Jai Narayan Roy, was the initiator for the setting up of the of this important memorial statue of Manilal Doctor and he thanked him for the good initiative taken.
The ex-vice president, His Excellency Paramasivum Piillay Vyapoory said that in the coming days the book written by Mr D Napal in 1963 on Manilal Doctor will be reprinted. For this, he has expressed his gratitude to the Director General of Mahatma Gandhi Institute and Ravindranath Tagore Institute, Mr. Rampartab,CSK and all the executives of Manilal Maganlal Doctor Memorial Association. A grand ceremony will be launched in a few months so that all Mauritian get inspired by his contributions and principles ​​of life. In the end, Honourable Ravi Daliya, Private Parliament Secretary, appreciated the event based on Manilal Maganlal Doctor Memorial Association and said that certainly Manilal Doctor was the first leader of the people of Indian origin. If he would have not come to Mauritius, we would hardly have had the leaders such as Honourable Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, GCMG, LRCP, MRCS, and Sir Anerood Jugnauth, GCSK, PV, KCMG, PC, QC.
Last but not least in this special occasion, we were graced by the dignified presence of Dr. Leela Devi Luckheenarain, Senior Chief Executive, Ministry of Arts and Cultural Heritage, Rampartab, Director General, Mahatma Gandhi Institute and Ravindrnath Tagore Institute, Rishiraj Kanhye, Chairman of Aapravasi Ghat Trust Fund, Director General of Aapravashi Ghat Trust Fund, Chand Ramgoolam, Sarita Boodhoo, Chairman of Bhojpuri Speaking Union and Kunal Bhajan from Rodrigues Hindu Sabha.