Dayendranath Burrenchobay


Sir Dayendranath Burrenchobay, KBE, CMG, CVO, GCSK, was born in Plaine Magnien, Mauritius and served as Governor-General of Mauritius.

Education

Dayendranath Burrenchobay travelled to London, UK to further his education. He graduated from Imperial College, London.

Career

After graduating from Imperial College, London he worked for the British Electricity Authority. On his return to Mauritius he joined the Civil Service as a teacher. He eventually became Permanent Secretary at Ministry of Education & Cultural Affairs. This was followed by his appointment at Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister's Office. He also was Chairman of the Central Electricity Board . He became Head of the Civil Service and in 1976 he was knighted. Over the same period he was Secretary of the Mahatma Gandhi Institute.

Legacy

On 17 May 1984 the Sir Dayendranath Burrenchobay Foundation Act was enacted in Parliament with the objectives of promoting and encouraging research in all fields and to reward and financially assist works of importance to the economic, social and cultural development of Mauritius.

Appointment as Governor General

Dayendranath Burrenchobay was appointed by the Queen Elizabeth II to hold the office of Governor General after Henry Garrioch's retirement. Thus Burrenchobay became the third Mauritian to hold the position of Governor-General of Mauritius following previous Mauritians Michel Rivalland, Raman Osman and Henry Garrioch. During his term as Governor General from 1978 to 1983 he oversaw two governments, first under Prime Minister Seewoosagur Ramgoolam and then when Sir Anerood Jugnauth became Prime Minister. Burrenchobay was succeeded by Seewoosagur Ramgoolam himself.

Publications

In 2000 Dayendranath Burrenchobay' book "Let the People Think: A Compilation of the Thoughts of Sir Dayendranath Burrenchobay" was published by Editions de l'Ocean Indien.