Bhinod Bacha
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Sir Bhinod Bacha, CMG (1943 – 17 June 2023) was the former most senior Civil Servant (Secretary to Cabinet and Head of the Civil Service) of Mauritius.[1][2]
He joined the Civil Service in 1968, working mainly at the Prime Minister's Office during Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam's and later Sir Anerood Jugnauth's terms in office as Prime Minister. By 1981 he had been promoted to Head of the Civil Service.[3] He was also a board member of several para-statal bodies.
After the 2010 General Elections he was nominated as an Advisor at the Ministry of Land and Housing, but had to resign after the 2014 General Elections.[4][5]
In February 2017, he was appointed an Advisor at the Prime Minister's Office, soon after the resignation of Sir Anerood Jugnauth.[6]
In the evening of 17 June 2023 Bacha died at Victoria Hospital in Candos after being struck earlier by a car at Orchard Centre's parking lot. Bacha had been dragged underneath the car for a distance as the driver failed to stop on impact, and helpers subsequently had to lift the car in an attempt to rescue the 80-year-old victim.[7]
Bhinod Bacha grew up in Mahebourg where he was born.[8] His father Soorooj was an accountant who worked for the local railway company.[9]
Bacha married Rubee Pillay who gave birth to their son Yamesh. However Rubee Pillay died during a house fire. Bacha married his second wife Kathleen Colimalay who gave birth to Lamesh, but both Kathleen and Lamesh later died during a house fire in 1994.[10] In October 2000 Bacha officially married Joyce Prayag-Castellano.[11]
Bacha was instrumental to secure approvals to construct the Hibiscus Boutique Hotel in Pereybere, now owned by his extended family.[12]