Later, while studying medicine in London, SSR sometimes joked about this accident, but it had a lasting effect on him. Many biographers suggest that this early hardship strengthened his resilience and gave him greater empathy for people facing struggles in life.
The Childhood Accident
Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam was about seven years old when the accident that caused the loss of his eyesight occurred. Growing up in Belle Rive, a rural village in Mauritius, young Seewoosagur lived close to nature and animals, as was common in plantation areas at the time.
One day, while playing near a cow, he was struck violently in the face — some accounts say by the cow’s horn, others say by its head. The blow caused severe damage to his left eye. In the early 1900s, access to quality medical treatment in Mauritius was extremely limited, especially in remote villages. Despite attempts to treat the injury, his eye became irreparably damaged, and he lost sight in it permanently.
Life with One Eye
For a child, losing vision in one eye could have been devastating. But for Seewoosagur, it became a test of resilience. He adjusted to life with monocular vision, which affected depth perception but did not stop him from pursuing education or later a career in medicine. His classmates remembered him as a determined and disciplined student who never let his disability hold him back.
When he later studied in London, he sometimes joked about the accident with friends, calling it one of life’s ironies that a future doctor and Prime Minister of Mauritius had himself suffered such an avoidable injury in childhood.
Influence on His Personality
Many historians suggest that this personal setback had a profound impact on his character. Three ways stand out:
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Resilience – The accident taught him early on to overcome adversity. Losing an eye could have limited his opportunities, but instead it pushed him to work harder.
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Empathy – Experiencing hardship at a young age made him more sensitive to the struggles of others, particularly the poor and disadvantaged. This empathy became a hallmark of his political career.
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Determination to improve healthcare – Having personally experienced the lack of adequate medical care, SSR placed strong emphasis on healthcare reform as a leader. Later, as Prime Minister, he introduced free healthcare for all Mauritians — a policy still in place today.
Conclusion
What could have been seen as a tragic childhood misfortune actually shaped the man who would become the “Father of the Nation.” The accident with the cow not only left a physical mark but also strengthened the values that guided SSR throughout his life — resilience, compassion, and a sense of duty to protect those most vulnerable.
