Dedication
To the spirit of my late father, Bhawanee Persand Hosanee, whose unwavering courage and deep faith guided every step of my journey. He has been my inspiration, my guide, and my silent strength in moments of doubt. His values continue to shape my character, and his memory walks with me in every decision I make, every challenge I overcome, and every success I celebrate.
And to my beloved mother, Biswantee Hosanee, whose steadfast prayers and gentle wisdom shaped my character from childhood.
To my dear wife, Youbwantee, whose unwavering support allowed me to pursue my dreams, and to our five children—your love and encouragement have been the cornerstone of my life.
This biography is as much yours as it is mine, for every milestone I celebrate is rooted in your sacrifice, devotion, and unending belief in me.
Phase 1 Early Years & Family Foundations
“If you’re offered a seat on a rocket ship, don’t ask what seat! Just get on.” — Sheryl Sandberg
Birth & Ancestry
In the small community of Beau-Bassin, within Mauritius, Dharamsingh Hosanee’s life began on the 9th of October, 1961. His father, Bhawanee Persand Hosanee, and mother, Biswantee Hosanee, raised him in a modest household filled with both struggle and grace.
During his early years, young Dharamsingh witnessed the painful effects of his father’s handicap, which made walking unaided extremely difficult. But instead of surrendering to despair, Bhawanee Persand’s extraordinary faith and serene dignity left a profound mark on his son’s heart. These traits would one day shape Dharamsingh’s values and view of the world.
Childhood Events
Prayers from his mother and her gentle encouragement also helped mould Dharam into the man he would eventually become. Despite numerous childhood challenges, he developed a quiet strength, overcoming each hardship with self-discipline and perseverance—without anyone needing to teach him perfection.
At just five years old, Dharam rose each day before dawn, preparing for school with a quiet determination. What seemed like a routine for many was, for him, a sacred mission.
In an extraordinary display of responsibility and love, little Dharam would lift his father onto his back and carry him to Philippe Rivalland Government School. Come thunderstorm or heatwave, father and son moved forward together. His dhoti shirt remained unchanged, soaked often by monsoon rains, yet he pressed on.
One memory Dharam holds closest is of his father looking down at him with tearful gratitude, whispering:
“Hop on, hold on. I did say shoulders first, didn’t I?”
The boy did not only carry the physical burden of his father, but also the weight of sacrifice, humility, and love—an ideal that guided him for the rest of his life.
Poem: My Father’s Basket
Beneath this woven load I press,
The weight of love, the gift and test.
He rests upon my youthful back,
I bear his trust along life’s track.
Each step unites our souls as one,
A silent pledge until day’s done.
Education: Foundation of Change
Primary Education: Philippe Rivalland Government School
Secondary Education: Trinity College, St Mary’s College, Lycée Léoville l’Homme
At 14, Dharam earned admission to Trinity College, one of Mauritius’ more prestigious secondary institutions. While attending school, he worked part-time at a local grocery store to supplement his family’s income. As familial responsibilities increased, he moved temporarily to St Mary’s College, then eventually completed his Cambridge School Certificate from Lycée Léoville l’Homme.
One of the most impactful influences during this time was Jacques Patel, a mathematics teacher at St Mary’s College. Mr. Patel quickly recognized Dharam’s natural ability for problem-solving and encouraged him to pursue personal academic projects.
One day after class, Mr. Patel handed Dharam a worn copy of Nelson Mandela’s speeches, saying:
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
That moment lit a spark. Dharamsingh realized that knowledge had the power to transform not just individuals, but generations. Every hour spent studying became a form of investment—not just in himself, but in the future of his family.
Poem: Pencils & Promises
Each pencil in my worn satchel lies,
A slender hope beneath the skies.
With scratched-up books and dog-eared pages,
I chase the dreams of wiser ages.
Though hunger gnaws at noon’s bright glare,
My heart holds fast, because I care.
In every mark, a promise gleams,
That paper-bound, I might redeem.
Phase 2 Academic Ascent & Formative Opportunities
“One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world.” — Malala Yousafzai
Cambridge Certificate & Job Market Realities
Towards the early 1980s, unemployment in Mauritius surged to alarming levels. Nearly 70,000 graduates were unable to secure jobs, and the future looked bleak for many young Mauritians.
Amidst this uncertainty, Dharamsingh Hosanee sat for his Cambridge School Certificate examinations in 1980. After successfully clearing the exams, he returned to Curepipe, only to find limited professional avenues available.
Faced with a tough job market, Dharam accepted the first opportunity that came his way—a position as a security guard at the Mediterranean Club. Though modest, this job became a turning point in his life. He resolved never to idle or allow pride to prevent him from seizing honest work. Dharam’s humility and determination laid the foundation for a future he could not yet see, but deeply believed in.
Travel to the UK in Pursuit of Advanced Education
His hard work bore fruit in 1983, when the Mauritian Ministry of Education awarded him a government scholarship to pursue higher education overseas.
Dharam traveled to the United Kingdom and enrolled at the University of Salford in Greater Manchester, England, where he pursued a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Studies. He later joined the University of Surrey in Guildford, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Human Resource Management.
The transition from a quiet town in Mauritius to the brisk, industrial world of British academia was a cultural shock. Arriving at Manchester Airport in the late autumn, he was greeted by grey skies, biting winds, and an unfamiliar landscape. Homesickness set in quickly—the accents, sprawling campuses, and the pace of life were far from the rhythms of home.
Nevertheless, through self-discipline and focused study, Dharam adapted. He immersed himself in British work culture, absorbing its intense emphasis on independent reading, weekend tutorials, and critical thinking.
Campus Life & Academic Accomplishments
Balancing life at Surrey and Salford proved demanding. Dharam’s scholarship covered tuition but barely sufficed for living and lodging expenses. To stay afloat, he worked as a tutor, teaching mathematics and accounting to fellow students.
By day, he attended lectures and by night, he tutored undergraduates—often switching from business journals to equations in the same breath. His academic performance remained exceptional. Dharam completed his B.Sc. in Business Management with First Class Honours in 1986—a rare feat among Mauritian scholars of the time.
Peers recalled his infectious enthusiasm during group presentations. Calm, eloquent, and insightful, Dharam had a knack for simplifying complex case studies. His professors at Surrey were equally impressed, especially with his research on organizational behavior, praising his papers as some of the most exceptional in the cohort.
His achievements not only affirmed his intellectual prowess but also reflected a natural leadership that would later become a cornerstone of his professional legacy.
“One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world.”
— Malala Yousafzai
Dharam embraced this philosophy wholeheartedly. He understood that a single idea learned in a British lecture hall could one day transform a village back home—especially in fields like security, administration, and management.
Phase 3 First Steps into Security & Public Service
“Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” — Winston Churchill
Initial Appointment as Security Guard (Mediterranean Club, 1979)
In 1979, at the age of eighteen, Dharamsingh Hosanee came to terms with a sobering situation of mass youth unemployment in the country. His options were scant, so he sought employment as a security guard at the Mediterranean Club located in Beau Bassin, located in north of Mauritius, a place that relished in hosting cultural activities and social events.
While the position was not particularly acclaimed, for Dharam, this was a chance to begin building his professional standing. He started his work with a disciplined demeanour, showing up in polished uniforms just as he did wear them to school during the hectic mornings with his father.
Within the next five to six months, his superiors began to take notice of his diligence, discipline, and detail-oriented approach. By mid-1980, he was promoted to “Checking Officer,” which came with perks of entry control, visitor inspections, supervising junior guards’ shift rosters, and commanding log books.
Advancement in the Security Sector
Dharam subsequently started working with City Company Security Services Ltd two years after his stint at the Mediterranean Club. His new position came with the responsibility of overseeing a group of twenty guards stationed at various locations.
This role sharpened his leadership skills: ascertaining compliance with policies, conflict management, and rostering became central to his daily operations. He was able to reduce the rate of trespassing and theft at client premises significantly over the client maintained under his supervision.
For these achievements, in 1983 City Company promoted him to Public Relations Officer. In that role, he built client relationships, managed service agreements, and wrote security tenders for new clients. He began to balance communication across and up the organizational hierarchy which included board members, hotel proprietors, and even the police, building fundamental interpersonal skills that he would later utilize as a business person.
Concise Chronology of Mauritius Police Force (Cadet Inspector, 1985)
In 1985, while still working for City Company, Dharam attended an audition that was set up for the Cadet Inspector role with the Mauritius Police Force. In an attempt to acquire new skills as well as formal training in law enforcement, he opted for a cumbersome selection procedure where he was required to undergo different types of assessments.
He received some training at the Police Training Academy, where he was required to wear the blue uniform while being indoctrinated on the basics of criminal procedure. On his first day of work in Port Louis, he was filled with pride by the sharp folds of his new uniform.
However, within only three months, Colonel Anil Jeetah, the Director of the Police Academy, requested that Dharam return to civilian security because, in his opinion, both his skills and his focus would be best employed for transforming private security systems across the island.
While Dharam was torn between civic duty and the luring innovation in the private sector, he chose to take the director’s advice and relinquish his Cadet Inspector position in the summer of 1985.