Dharam Gokhool
Dharam Gokhool | |
|---|---|
| 8th President of Mauritius | |
| Assumed office 6 December 2024 | |
| Prime Minister | Navin Ramgoolam |
| Vice President | Robert Hungley |
| Preceded by | Prithvirajsing Roopun |
| Minister of Education | |
| In office 2005–2008 | |
| President | Sir Anerood Jugnauth |
| Prime Minister | Navin Ramgoolam |
| Succeeded by | Vasant Bunwaree |
| Minister of Industry, Science and Research | |
| In office 2008–2010 | |
| President | Sir Anerood Jugnauth |
| Prime Minister | Navin Ramgoolam |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 25 October 1949 Plaine des Roches, Mauritius |
| Political party | MMM (1980–c. 1994) Labour Party (since c. 1994) |
| Spouse | Mrs. Gokhool |
| Education | Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), Delhi University |
| Profession | Academic · politician |
Dharambeer Gokhool (born 25 October 1949) is a Mauritian politician who is the current President of Mauritius, serving since 6 December 2024. He is a member of the Labour Party and has previously served as Minister of Education and Minister of Industry, Science and Research.
Biography
[edit]Gokhool was born on 25 October 1949 in the village of Plaine des Roches, Mauritius.[1][2] He attended Roches Noires Government School, where he was considered an exceptional student, and then Mapou Government School.[1] In 1975, he went to study at Delhi University in India.[1] After his studies there, he returned to Mauritius and became a member of the staff at the University of Mauritius, serving several positions including lecturer, associate professor and dean of the faculty.[1]
Gokhool began his political career in 1976.[3] In 1980, he joined the Mauritian Militant Movement (MMM) party. In 1982, he won election to the National Assembly as part of the MMM/Mauritius Socialist Party (PSM) alliance which won a landslide victory that year. After the MMM and PSM split, Gokhool stayed with the MMM and ran for re-election in 1983, but lost his bid for the Piton-Rivière-du-Rempart seat. In 1991, he returned to the legislature by winning a seat under the MMM/Militant Socialist Movement (MSM) alliance. However, during his term he defected to the Labour Party.[3]
Gokhool also served as the mayor of the town Vacoas-Phoenix from 1991 to 1993. He was a parliamentary private secretary from 1993 to 1994 and after joining the Labour Party, served as the party's administrative secretary in 2003, then was the secretary general from 2004 to 2005.[1] During the administration of Navin Ramgoolam, Gokhool served as Minister of Education from 2005 to 2008.[2][3] Following that, he became the Minister of Industry, Science and Research and held that role from 2008 to 2010.[1] After the 2014 elections, he was a candidate for vice president, although he was not chosen for the position.[2]
In 2024, Gokhool was a candidate for President of Mauritius and was unanimously elected by members of the National Assembly.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f "President of the Republic of Mauritius" (PDF). National Assembly. 6 December 2024. pp. 9–10.
- ^ a b c Mahmood, Kazi (2 March 2018). "Gokhool President? But Gurib-Fakim challenges reports". World Future TV.
- ^ a b c "Dharam Gokhool élu président de la République" [Dharam Gokhool elected President of the Republic] (in French). Le Défi Media Group. 6 December 2024.
- ^ "Dharam Gokhool elected Mauritian president". Xinhua News Agency. 6 December 2024.
| Queen (1968–1992) |  | |
|---|---|---|
| President (from 1992) | ||
*Acting President | ||
