Shyal Kumar’s ability to have a good head on her shoulders is due largely to her parents’ stern yet loving guidance.
The 24-year-old’s upbringing reached a significant chapter when she graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of the South Pacific last month in Suva.
Her accomplishment has brought her closer to her dreams but she remains humble and acknowledges the challenges she encountered on the way to the top.
She reflects on the long nights spent on completing assignments and perusing lecture notes.
She remembers the sacrifice of having to stay away from her parents and friends in her hometown of Nadi.
Looking back, she said the proud yet emotional moment she experienced when she received her certificate in the palm of her hand was ‘all surreal’.
“Four years of studying were challenging because I had to move to Suva and that was a drastic change. There was also a lot of pressure related to coming out of my comfort zone and living in a new environment,” she said.
Shyal said her parents were the reason behind her success.
“They were always there for me especially when I was worried, depressed or lonely. I would always go back to them. They never forced me to become a lawyer, it was entirely up to me how I wanted to pursue this profession”
“I am a girl from Votualevu, Nadi and coming to Suva was a big shift for me, staying here, managing everything alone, but I knew at the back of my mind that my parents were always there for me.
“I feel very honoured and blessed because it’s all due to my parents and their hard work and their love.”
Shyal plans to do her parents proud considering that she would soon become the first lawyer in her family.
“I’m hoping to work in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP). I really want to be a criminal lawyer, and I know being a lawyer is not easy.
It requires a lot of commitment and dedication, and I want to stay in my own country and improve its justice system.”
“I feel Fiji needs a lot of good criminal lawyers. We are witnessing a lot of crime, so we need to step up and work towards fairness and justice.”
With a degree in the bag, Shyal looks forward to completing her PDLP (Professional Diploma in Legal Practice) and being admitted to the bar.
She urges young Fijians hoping to take up the profession to remain focused.
“If someone aspires to be a lawyer, they need to be consistent and remain focused.”
“You just must give your best and 100 per cent.”
