Mr Pritvirajsingh (Praveen) Munrakhun OSK
Love and respect rather than austerity towards students
Mr P. Munrakhun OSK
Director, 1951 – 2023
Biography
A Life Devoted to Education
Pritvirajsingh Munrakhun, also known as Praveen, was born on the 22nd August 1951 in the village of Long Mountain, the son of Soondurpersand and Dhroputee Munrakhun. He has been the rector of SMC in 2001; and the principal in 1977. After retirement, he became the director of Soondur Munrakhun College.
He completed his primary education at Long Mountain Government School. After leaving primary school, he went to Royal College. Since he opted for Science, he was transferred to John Kennedy College and completed his Higher School certificate there. After working for two to three months, he went to India to pursue his degree. He returned to Mauritius after completing his degree in Bsc (Science)-Biology and pursued post graduate certificate in education at MIE. Shortly after his return, he made it his mission to continue the legacy his parents initiated, that is to provide education to needy people in his village.
Before 1977, education was not free, especially in his village where there was no institution for secondary education. Many bright pupils were deprived of secondary education due to the exorbitant fee and bus fares. On top of that, transport facilities were quite scarce. Quite often students with comparatively lower passing marks in their Primary School Leaving Certificate Examination were not admitted to the urban colleges. The fate of boys was comparatively better for they were given priority compared to young girls who had to make amends with their lot. With the same vision as his parents, who founded the college in 1956, Mr Praveen carried on his legacy by visiting all the houses in his locality, along with his friends, trying to get as many students as possible. Gradually, the number of pupils increased every year owing to his determination.
It had always been the prime duty of Mr Munrakhun to ensure that the school functioned in a very congenial atmosphere. To keep with the trend of the demands of Soondur Munrakhun College, founded by his parents, he cherished the wish to introduce subjects like Integrated Science-Chemistry and Biology at school. His generosity knew no bounds. He also provided easy access to school by making provisions for several transport facilities to students who lived at Congomah, Ilot. On prize giving day, students received laptops as gifts to encourage them in their endeavor. He was ever-ready by his pieces of golden advice to help students chose a particular subject before sitting for their Cambridge exams.
Mr Praveen Munrakhun, apart from being the principal, rector and director of Soondur Munrakhun College, had done several social works as well. He had been the chairperson on the board of MGI and the Local Government Commission. He was active in politics and acted as chairperson and Executive member in various boards under the aegis of the Ministry of Sports in the 90's. He was also a member of the Hindu cadets and went to Africa, along with the football players twice. He was also the president of the Social Welfare Centre. He had a reputation of doing all his tasks diligently. He was awarded the Duke of Edinburgh's award on the 20th May 1968. He was decorated with OSK National Award (the Most Distinguished Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean) in 2004.
Mr Praveen Munrakhun has brought an awareness of secondary education and has improved the rate of literacy in the region. Young girls were given equal opportunities to keep abreast of the boys; the rich and the poor irrespective of class, caste, religion and creed were able to get access to education. As goes the motto of SMC — 'Knowledge is Power', Mr Praveen converted knowledge into action by making education an instrument within the reach of those who could not afford it.
In Photographs
A Life in Pictures
A Final Word
Last Message of Mr Praveen Munrakhun OSK — Director
As the new generation is touching the horizon, new changes and mannerisms are surfacing with impetus. A new version of culture is on the upsurge. We are witnessing a phenomenon of what we could slothingly term as 'generation gap' although it extends from a rip of knowledge, culture, lifestyle to discipline.
Discipline has now become a term that many take passively. Our students fail to realise the intricacies of discipline on compliance. Children of this time almost react on their urges, doing what they feel like, without reflecting on consequences. This spontaneous behaviour in fact relates to not listening to what their surrounding adults instruct or advise and hence completely perversing in their own ways. Our teachers from different schools are lashing out at the waywardness and unruliness of students of the current generation. So critical is the situation that teaching with such students has become a daily struggle and martyrdom. I believe that if all students take charge of the responsibilities of their actions and the implications these entail, such issues can be curbed. Our children should be sensitised, humanised but primarily valorised and loved. Today children can only be disciplined with love and respect rather than austerity and reprimands.
Hence, my earnest request to parents and all those concerned about the downgrading trends in discipline amongst our youngsters is that we should all contribute to inflect good mannerisms, implement long term disciplinary measures that will consequently impact our future generation.
In Their Words
Messages from Family & Friends
"Concernant son travail, le maître mot était la discipline. Sa vie était son travail et le collège. Le collège était sa maison et sa première priorité et cela passait avant tout. Un souvenir qui me manque encore aujourd'hui c'est qu'il faisait un devoir de ne jamais me laisser seul. On dînait ensemble tous les soirs."
Mrs Rekha Munrakhun
Wife of Late Mr Praveen Munrakhun
"Monsieur Praveen n'était pas seulement comme un frère mais plutôt un papa surtout après la mort de ma mère. Nous avions grandi ensemble et nous sommes devenus plus proches après la mort de notre mère. Nous avons travaillé comme une équipe malgré les diverses difficultés. Monsieur Praveen a une énorme contribution dans l'agrandissement du collège. Il avait toujours des nouvelles idées pour l'école et sa perte est inestimable."
Mrs Premila Sobagrah
Manager
"Papa a joué différents rôles au cours de ma vie dont celui d'un recteur, un directeur, un ami et aussi un confident avec qui je pouvais discuter et parler de tout. Il était toujours à mon écoute. Papa était quelqu'un avec un grand cœur et toujours prêt à aider. Il aimait le football, les chevaux et le sport en général. Il était un grand fan de Tottenham Hotspur. Aujourd'hui, je peux dire avec fierté que je suis la fille de Monsieur Praveen Munrakhun. Tu me manques papa."
Mrs Diksha Munrakhun-Ramlochun
First Daughter
"Papa commençait toujours ses matins avec la prière. Même malgré sa santé fragile et cela jusqu'à la dernière minute, il pensait toujours à l'école. Même en se reposant, il cogitait: 'comment pou faire l'école marche plus bien…' Merci pour tout papa."
Miss Drishtee Munrakhun
Second Daughter
"He loved his family, friends, staff and students greatly. Truly a man's man, a family man, and someone I truly look up to and whom I have learned a lot from. I'll be sure to carry on his legacy and never forget what a truly great man and great human he was."
Mr Hemrajsingh Ramlochun
Son-in-law
"Mr Praveen, mamou was a very kind, generous and loving human being. He was always willing to go out of his way to help anyone. I think he will be remembered most for being a genuine person and also his legacy he has left and the pride that he had for SMC. Mamou has left a big void on this earth and in everyone's life and especially mine."
Mr Amrish Sobagrah
Nephew
"Mr Praveen could have invested his money somewhere else or in something else but he chose to invest it in his college. He left an institution for the interest of students in his locality. I won't be surprised to hear that one day this school will earn 100% pass. He followed Sai Baba's principles, 'To live and let live.' Whatever he did, he did for the interest of others."
Mr Oree
Former Economics Educator at SMC
"Mr Praveen was a true guide, a good administrator but also a good social worker. He had a very soft corner for all the needy students helping them by providing free stationery, free uniforms and food supplies when needed."
Mr Sookmanee
Accounts Educator / Senior Educator
"Mr Praveen had a strong belief in discipline, education, learning and innovation. Innovation was at the heart of everything he did. He always wanted to introduce technology in teaching. He will be remembered for visionary leadership, dedication to education, and fostering an inclusive empowering school community."
Mrs Bundhoo
Mathematics Educator / Head of Department
"Not only was he a man for all seasons but he was also a man of situations and whose upbringing, righteousness and confidence allowed him to guide, support and give comfort to his surroundings, close or otherwise. Against all odds, late Mr Munrakhun stood among with the unfortunate scholars who really needed help to find a way in life. The achievement of Mr Munrakhun will remain for ages in our day-to-day life. A thank you will never be sufficient to what he had achieved."
Mr Jaunky
Secretary, Local Government Service Commission
"Mr Praveen encouraged me to enrol in my studies (B.Ed). He was my guide in my career and always worked for the benefit of the school and the students. His vision about technology and the use of latest equipment was ahead of his time."
Mr Dussoye
Educator / HOD Biology
"Le souvenir le plus marquant a été quand notre école avait obtenu au-delà de 90% au niveau de la SC. Il a aussi mené une belle lutte pour avoir la permission d'opérer les classes de la HSC."
Mr Gungabisson
HOD Chemistry
"En 1995 on a commencé avec seulement 5 ordinateurs mais aujourd'hui, on se retrouve avec 50 ordinateurs, dont 25 dans deux salles de computer rooms. Le motto de Monsieur Praveen: La discipline apporte le progrès."
Mr Luchmun D.
HOD Computer Studies
"Monsieur Praveen était très autoritaire mais il était droit concernant le travail. Au fond, Monsieur Praveen était très compréhensif. Il était toujours à l'écoute de nos problèmes. Monsieur Praveen a toujours été à cheval sur les cours en ligne."
Mrs Roopchand
HOD French
"There's nothing better in life than being an educator and sharing your knowledge to others. And also helping the poor and the needy students. He was a role model for me."
Mr Ramlall
Former Senior Educator
