Dev Virahsawmy passed away early Wednesday morning at the age of 81. He had been battling cancer and post-polio syndromes.
Politician, linguist, writer, poet and playwright, Dev Virahsawmy had a very full life.
Born in Goodlands, he later moved his grandparents to Beau-Bassin after the death of his mother. After studying English language, literature and linguistics at Edinburgh University in Scotland, he returned home and became a teacher.
In 1969, he joined the Mouvement Militant Mauricien (MMM), of which he was a founding member.
In 1970, he became the first MMM member to be elected to the National Assembly, winning the by-election for constituency number 5 – Pamplemousses/Triolet.
He left the MMM in 1973 to form his party, the Mouvement Militant Mauricien Socialiste Progressiste (MMMSP). He also founded the Fédération Des Travailleurs Unis (FTU) to help textile workers obtain better wages and working conditions. Dev Virahsawmy also served as advisor to several ministers.
After retiring from active politics, he concentrated on writing plays and promoting the Creole language.
Dev was married to Loga Virahsawmy, president of Gender and Media Southern Africa.
Le Matinal Media extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved family.
