GL mourns the passing of Dev Virahsawmy

17 October 2023 | Gender Links

Gender Links learned with deepest sadness of the passing away on 7 November 2023 of Dev Virahsawmy, husband and partner of our former Francophone director Loga Virahsawmy; also father of Anushka and Saskia. GL Chair Emily Brown said in a statement that while GL mourns the passing of “a great Mauritian patriot”, we celebrate his “rich and fulfilling life, full of service, love of people and planet. We at Gender Links are privileged to have had Dev as a friend and advisor over many years. We are truly grateful for the office he bequeathed us, where every day we will continue the struggle for gender equality; one of the many causes he held dear. Dev’s footprint is gigantic and his loving demeanour will remain with his family and those who had the good fortune to meet him, forever. “

In the five weeks after being diagnosed with cancer of the liver, Dev gave many interviews, meeting the Prime Minister, ministers and an array of dignitaries. His biggest dream came true when Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth pledged that Mauritius will make Creole the medium of instruction in primary schools, while the Catholic church said it would use Creole for its services. Although English is the official language of the Indian Ocean island, Creole, a derivative of French, is far more widely spoken.

“Dev reminded us constantly that to learn, you must progress from the known to the unknown,” reflected GL special advisor Colleen Lowe Morna. “He never wavered from speaking out on the legacies of our colonial educational system and the resulting functional illiteracy.” A prolific writer, Dev’s Creole books have made him a legendary figure in neighbouring Indian Ocean islands such as Seychelles. Read about Dev’s work here https://boukiebanane.com/. Dev bequeathed the royalties from his writing to the Catholic church, with the proceeds to support development initiatives in the impoverished south of the island.

In the weeks before he died, Dev urged every Mauritian to plant a bread fruit tree. Bread fruit is indigenous to Mauritius, while rice is not. Dev warned constantly of the need for Mauritius to rely more on its natural than on imported foods.

May Dev’s beautiful soul rest in eternal peace. Our love and sincere condolences to Loga, Saskia and Anushka. We mourn together, as we celebrate a legacy larger than life.

View the collage of his life and values compiled by the GL family https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eev8o2rkj1k .