Dharam Gokhool | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Gokhool in 2025 | |
| President of Mauritius | |
| Assumed office 6 December 2024 | |
| Prime Minister | Navin Ramgoolam |
| Vice President | Robert Hungley |
| Preceded by | Prithvirajsing Roopun |
| Minister of Education and Human Resources | |
| In office 7 July 2005 – 13 September 2008 | |
| Prime Minister | Navin Ramgoolam |
| Preceded by | Louis Steven Obeegadoo |
| Succeeded by | Vasant Bunwaree |
| Minister of Industry, Science and Research | |
| In office 13 September 2008 – 11 May 2010 | |
| Prime Minister | Navin Ramgoolam |
| Preceded by | Rajesh Jeetah(Industry) |
| Succeeded by | Showkutally Soodhun (Industry) Rajesh Jeetah (Science and Research) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1949-10-25)25 October 1949 (age 76) Plaine des Roches,Mauritius |
| Party | MMM (1980–c. 1994) Labour Party (sincec. 1994) |
| Spouse | Brinda Gokhool |
| Residence | State House |
| Education | (MBA)Faculty of Management Studies – University of Delhi[1] Delhi University[1] |
| Profession | Academic · politician |
Dharambeer Gokhool (born 25 October 1949) is a Mauritian politician who has been serving as thepresident of Mauritius since 6 December 2024. He won the 2024 presidential election with the backing of theLabour Party. He is the first person belonging to aDalit community in Mauritius who reached the position of president.
Gokhool was born on 25 October 1949 in the village of Plaine des Roches, Mauritius to aHinduRavived (local terminology forChamars)[2] family. His father, Manilall Gokhool, worked as a laborer, while his mother, Koshila Gokhool, was a homemaker. Growing up in a rural environment, he faced the everyday challenges of a working-class household but was encouraged by his family to pursue education as the key to advancement.[3][4] He attended Roches Noires Government School, where he was considered an exceptional student, and then Mapou Government School.[3] In 1975 he graduated with anMBA degree fromFaculty of Management Studies – University of Delhi inIndia.[3] After his studies there, he returned to Mauritius and became a member of the staff at theUniversity of Mauritius, serving several positions including lecturer, associate professor and dean of the faculty.[3] His journey from a humble village upbringing to academic excellence abroad shaped his lifelong commitment to education, equality, and social upliftment, which later became central themes in both his academic and political careers.
Gokhool began his political career in 1976.[5] In 1980, he joined theMauritian Militant Movement (MMM) party. In 1982, hewon election to theNational 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 in1983, but lost his bid for the Piton-Rivière-du-Rempart seat. In1991, he returned to the legislature by winning a seat under the MMM/Militant Socialist Movement (MSM) alliance. However, during his term he defected to theLabour Party.[5]
Gokhool also served as the mayor of the townVacoas-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.[3] During the administration ofNavin Ramgoolam, Gokhool served as Minister of Education from 2005 to 2008.[4][5] Following that, he became the Minister of Industry, Science and Research and held that role from 2008 to 2010.[3] After the2014 elections, he was a candidate for vice president, although he was not chosen for the position.[4]
Gokhool was officially nominated for thepresidency of Mauritius on 6 December 2024, following the completion of Prithvirajsing Roopun’s term. His nomination came after consensus-building among the main parliamentary forces, with the National Assembly unanimously electing him as the 8th President of the Republic of Mauritius. The decision reflected both his long service as an academic and politician and his image as a unifying figure acceptable across party lines. The nomination carried strong symbolic weight as well, since Gokhool comes from theRavived community, a historically marginalised group, making his elevation to the presidency a milestone in the island’s political and social landscape.[6]
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As President, his role is largely ceremonial and constitutional, since executive power in Mauritius rests with the Prime Minister and Cabinet. However, his appointment carried important symbolic value, coming from theRavived (Ravidassia/Chamar) community, his rise to the highest office of the republic marked a significant milestone in the social and political empowerment of historically marginalised groups. Gokhool has emphasised themes of education, unity, and equality, pledging to serve as a guardian of the Constitution and a unifying presence for all Mauritians.[7] He officially took the oath of office on 7 December 2024 at the State House, Reduit, in a ceremony attended by the Prime Minister, Cabinet members, opposition leaders, and representatives of various socio-cultural organisations and awarded as the Grand Commander of theOrder of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean. In the same session,Robert Hungley was elected as hisvice president.[8]
On 11 March 2025,Indian PMNarendra Modi met Mauritian President Dharam Gokhool during an official state visit to Mauritius, a meeting that underscored the historic, cultural, and strategic partnership between the two nations. At a ceremonial event in Port Louis, President Gokhool conferred on Modi the Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean (GCSK), Mauritius’s highest civilian honor,[9] in recognition of his role in strengthening bilateral ties. The meeting symbolised the shared heritage of India and Mauritius, rooted in the large Indian-origin community on the island, while also reaffirming commitments to cooperation in trade, education, maritime security, and cultural exchange. For President Gokhool, presiding over the ceremony was also significant, as it reflected Mauritius’s continuing role as a bridge between Africa and India, while for Modi, the honor marked a deepening of India’s influence in the Indian Ocean region.During his visit, Modi also visited theState House and gifted Gokhoolgangajal from the2025 Prayag Maha Kumbh Mela,makhana, and an OCI card. Dharam Gokhool also showed Narendra Modi the Ayurvedic garden at the State House.PMNavin Ramgoolam also attended the State House.[10]
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Grand Commander of theOrder of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean
France:
Grand Officer of theLegion of Honour (22 November 2025)[11]