Mauritius: Basdeo Bandu, born on 24 December 1923, celebrated his 100th birthday in the presence of Parliamentary Private Secretary Soobeersingh Dhunoo, and his relatives on Sunday, 24 December 2023, at his residence, Robinson Road, Curepipe.
An official ceremony was organised by the Ministry of Social Integration, Social Security, and National Solidarity to honour the new centenarian.
Bandu received, from the authorities, a cheque amounting to Rs 26,203; a bouquet; a centenarian medal; a certificate; a telephone offered by Mauritius Telecom; a gift from the Senior Citizens Council; and a cheque to the tune of Rs 10,000 from the National Solidarity Fund.
Bandu was born to Mohabeer Bandu and Kamnee Auckhaya and had four siblings, namely two sisters and two brothers. The centenarian attended school up to Standard II and served in the Royal Pioneer Corps during the Second World War for six years in Egypt.
When he was back in Mauritius, he worked as a labourer for the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security. Afterwards, he worked as a caretaker at Floreal Government School.
He was religiously married to Rampeearee Khewoolee in 1961 and got civilly married the following year. Together, they raised their four children and presently, Bandu has five grandchildren.
Basdeo Bissoondoval obtained his bachelor’s degree in BA from Panjab University and MA from Calcutta University.
Later he could have got any high-placement job in public service because of his education and experience in the field. Still, destiny took a turn as his elder brother passed away in the same year while he was in India.
Bandu is vegetarian and he is fond of “Gateaux Madeleine”. The centenarian, however, is not ambulant and suffers from poor eye vision. He has no major health problems but suffers from old age debility.