THE LIFE AND TIMES OF SOOKDEO BISSOONDOYAL

Rodrigues, its dependency was in a better condition than the Seychelles Islands that ceased to be a dependency in 1903. Rodrigues became independent on March 12, 1968 along with Mauritius and the Seychelles archipelago nine years later.

It was Sookdeo’s cherished dream to see an independent Mauritius. Eugene Laurent had left Mauritius in 1920 broken-hearted. He had tried his best to bring about a change for the better but he could not convince the rulers that the Island stood in need of a liberal Constitution, that the 1885 Constitution was antiquated. Pezzani and Edouard Nairac, later failed to have constitutional reforms introduced.

Some concession was given when a delegation reached London in 1932. Lack of continuity and perseverance prevented the country from wresting other concessions.

The tendency to let the people keep marking time was not to Sookdeo’s liking. He found that he had to rouse the leaders from their lethargy.

Gandhism had been hailed as a blessing ever since the last days of 1939. It is to that we owe both the 1947 Constitution and universal adult suffrage.

The 1963 election had proved that no party could singly succeed where Eugene Laurent, Pezzani and Nairac had failed.

It dawned on Sookdeo that his dream would come true if he prevailed upon the Labour Party that had formed the government to be up and doing. He joined the Government without any hesitation. He could forgive and forget. From 1963 to April 1969 he could get a great amount of work done.