Rajkeswur Purryag (known as Kailash Purryag) GCSK, GOSK is the President of Mauritius, in office since 2012.[1][2] As such Purryag is the Head of State and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Mauritius. He was elected as the fifth President of Mauritius by the National Assembly and took office on 21 July 2012. He succeeded Sir Anerood Jugnauth, who spent nine years as President from 2003 until resigning in March 2012. Kailash Purryag previously served as Member of Parliament, Minister and Speaker of the National Assembly; he made his debut in the political arena at an early age in 1976.[3]