KRISH PONNUSAMY, CSK
Former Senior Chief Executive
I was fascinated to read the recent book entitled “Maurice Paturau – un homme d’exception”, given to me by my son Dhiren who was invited to the launch ceremony.
I was privileged to have known Mr. Maurice Paturau during the period 1974 to 1982 when I served as Assistant Secretary and later as Principal Assistant Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office. The PMO was responsible for the regular organization of meetings 
between the Government and the Private Sector. I was tasked by the Permanent Secretary, Sir Dayendranath Burrenchobay, to be the secretary of the meeting. Thus, it was my duty to liaise with Mr. Paturau, Coordinator of the Joint Economic Council(JEC), the apex body of the Private Sector, for drawing up the agenda. I would call him and inform him of date and time of the meeting fixed by the Prime Minister and of the agenda items from the government side. He would then consult his colleagues, particularly the President of the various chambers and apprise me of the items from his side.
I was equally responsible for the physical arrangements of the meeting and the drafting of the minutes of proceeding. The meeting was held in the office of the Prime Minister around his conference table which could hardly accommodate some 25 persons. The Government was presented by the Prime Minister, Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, (SSR) flanked by his senior Ministers, Sir Veerasamy Ringadoo, Sir Razack Mohamed, Sir Satcam Boolell, Sir Harold Walter, Sir Kher Jagatsingh and a few others. Almost half of the Cabinet was present. Mr. Paturau was accompanied by the top guns of the Private Sector. Just to mention a few names, Sir Claude Noel, Sir Emile Series, Sir Amédée Maingard, Jose Poncini, Robert Antoine, Mohamad Vayid, Carrim Currimjee and Francis Rey.
The agenda covered a wide range of issues concerning the socio economic challenges facing the country, the joint ventures and the closer partnership between both sides, aimed at laying a solid foundation for the economy. The partnership was visible not only in times of peace, but also in times of distress with the passage of devastating cyclones. The Private Sector would readily offer a helping hand to the Public Sector to reactivate its essential services.
The two main spokesmen at the meeting were SSR and Mr. Paturau. They were both towering personalities and commanded attention and respect. SSR would allow specific intervention by senior Ministers and Mr. Paturau would do the same for the Private Sector. While the working atmosphere was normally cordial, there were times when tensions would flare up. I just watched the fight between the two giants and would not record that exchange.
I recall that on one occasion there was a serious disagreement on the question of cost of living allowance. Mr. Paturau favoured a structured approach instead of being pushed around at short notice. SSR defended the government view that workers must legitimately be compensated. At the end of the brawl, Mr Paturau loudly said: « Prime Minister, if you want to legislate on this issue, do so as you have the political might. The Private Sector would assume its responsibility. » Most of the time when there was a tussle between the two giants, Sir Veerasamy Ringadoo, the Finance Minister, would pick up the loose ends and proposed to have a separate meeting with Mr.Paturau later in the day to find a consensus.
In those meetings, I saw the best of the Government and the Private Sector. The discussions were always of high level, with everybody focusing on the best strategies in the national interest. The interaction went beyond the working sessions. The different actors also met during State visits by foreign dignitaries at receptions and dinners at the Government House, Port Louis, to the tune of the outstanding Police Band.
Having had ministerial experience, Mr. Paturau knew how to make elegant use of diplomacy. I recall another conversation with him when the PMO was preparing the visit of Mr Robert Mc Namara, President of the World Bank (WB) to Mauritius. Mr.Paturau asked for a slot in the programme for an exclusive working session between the World Bank President and the top brass of the Private Sector, followed by a lunch at Plantation House, the seat of the JEC. One day before the visit, SSR’s very able Confidential Secretary, Mrs. Jeanne Naiken, told me that the PM wanted to know whether Ministers would be invited to the working session at Plantation House. I knew it was a purely private sector meeting, but phoned Mr Paturau and his diplomatic reply was “Well, government would have its own meeting with the WB President. So would we, as we have issues to raise with him, but we would be honoured if SSR could join us later for the lunch.” I conveyed the message and it was with good humour that the PM, on the appointed day, crossed Royal road in a couple of minutes to reach Plantation House to lunch with the WB President in the company of the Private Sector top representatives. The WB President witnessed a vivid example of the close partnership and the effective working relations between the Government and the Private Sector. He praised us and encouraged other countries to follow our example.
While reading the book, I realized that I had known only a few facets of that great man. A man of substance, he was a highly decorated war hero, a creative engineer, a remarkable sportsman, a prolific writer, a brilliant debater in Parliament, a no nonsense Minister, a Private Sector dynamo, a caring family man and above all a patriot of the highest order. That unique combination of special characteristics made of Mr. Maurice Paturau a stalwart in the crucial pre and post Independence era of Mauritius.
From a historical point of view, it can safely be acknowledged that both SSR and Mr. Maurice Paturau were the most prominent figures in the Government and the Private Sector at that time. Their intimate understanding of our plight and their unwavering determination to forge ahead together for the common good were a real blessing to our country.