Letter to the Editor - ‘K.D Pillay’s memory must stand high in the cupboard of our memories’ |31 July 2015

May I please be provided with a little space in your column to add to the many accolade provided to the memory of my late friend Mr K.D Pillay  also known as Deenu who passed away on July 25, 2014.

I had been asked by Mr Pillay’s son, Rtn. Dr Murthy Pillay, and in principle accepted to say some words to his memory on the occasion of the events which his family and friends were organising to commemorate his life and his many contributions to our society.   Unfortunately, I was taken up with my commitments in the House of Lords in London and could therefore not make the occasion.

Since I returned to Seychelles in 1992 there was hardly one week which passed by without me receiving a call from Deenu encouraging and supporting my policy of national reconciliation.  

I have known K.D Pillay of course when he arrived in Seychelles as a young man and was helped in starting his retail business in Seychelles by my late father Richard Mancham who had himself graduated from a retailer to become one of the most prominent wholesalers in the field of food import and distribution in Seychelles.  

K.D Pillay never forgot the friendly and supportive association he enjoyed with my later father who in fact encouraged him to play a part and be elected a member of the Victoria District Council (VDC) when my father was in fact the acting chairman of the VDC.

K.D’s most important contribution to Seychelles must of course remain his commitment to educate the people concerning the complex malady which is diabetes and which has been posing a great menace  to the wellbeing  of our society as the people‘s lifestyle changed with increased spending power.

For this alone and for the other reasons his memory must stand high in the cupboard of our memories.

Sir James R. Mancham, KBE

Founding President of the Republic of Seychelles