Sarojini Jugnauth Explained

Honorific-Prefix:The Right Honourable
Lady Jugnauth
Order1:First Lady of Mauritius
Term Label1:In role
Term Start1:7 October 2003
Term End1:31 March 2012
Predecessor1:Marie Rose Danielle Offmann
Successor1:Aneetah Purryag
Order2:Spouse of the Prime Minister of Mauritius
Term Start2:14 December 2014
Term End2:23 January 2017
Predecessor2:Veena Ramgoolam
Successor2:Kobita Jugnauth
Term Start3:12 September 2000
Term End3:7 October 2003
Predecessor3:Veena Ramgoolam
Successor3:Arriane Bérenger
Term Start4:30 June 1982
Term End4:15 December 1995
Predecessor4:Lady Sushil Ramgoolam
Successor4:Veena Ramgoolam
Birthname:Sarojini Ballah
Birth Date:20 April 1938
Birth Place:Quatre Bornes, British Mauritius
Occupation:Teacher, Spouse of Prime Minister, First Lady
Party:Militant Socialist Movement
Spouse:Sir Anerood Jugnauth
(1956–2021)
Children:Pravind Jugnauth
Shalini Malhotra
Residence:La Caverne, Vacoas

Sarojini Ballah, Lady Jugnauth (commonly known as Lady Sarojini Jugnauth), a former Spouse of the Prime Minister of Mauritius is the widow of Sir Anerood Jugnauth. She previously held the position from 1982 to 1995 and from 2000 to 2003, most recently from 2014 to 2017. She was the First Lady of Mauritius from 2003 to 2012 when her husband served as President of the country. She is a primary school teacher by profession and is the mother of Shalini Malhotra and Pravind Jugnauth.She took an active role in social activities being the patron of various charitable organizations and also participates in various political activities in support of her family and party. Over the years, she generally retained a high approval rate as wife of the prime minister. She became a subject of controversy in 1992 when the bank of Mauritius issued a Rs. 20 note with her effigy on it. The inauguration of the note was done by her husband and other members of the government.

Due to various pressure from other political parties and unpopularity of then government, the note was subsequently removed from circulation while prime minister Jugnauth apologized in parliament stating that it was a mistake for which he was terribly sorry. The government collapsed in 1995 after losing the general elections.[1]

Personal life

Sarojini Ballah married Sir Anerood Jugnauth on 18 December 1956. They have two children, Shalini (Mrs Malhotra) and Pravind who is the current Prime Minister.[2] [3] She is the grandmother of five grandchildren that is Anusha, Divya, Sonika, Sonali and Sara.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: IL Y A EU VINGT ANS, LE MOIS DERNIER: L'affaire du billet de Rs 20. 6 May 2012. 7 June 2021.
  2. Web site: Connett . David . Essex care home shooting: Husband, 86, arrested after wife shot dead . The Independent. 2015-12-28.
  3. Web site: Mestry . Anne-Lise . L’acquisition d’un ex-hôtel par le Dr Malhotra fait jaser . L'Express . 2018-09-11.
  4. Web site: Karghoo . Christophe . La petite-fille de sir Anerood raconte… . 5Plus . 2005-04-04.