There is always light at the end of the tunnel and for Priyashna Shivangni Sagar, that light is a testament to her unwavering faith and relentless determination.
Her journey from financial struggles to academic excellence showcases the power of perseverance and a supportive family.
This week, an emotional and grateful Ms Sagar was honoured as the top Bachelor of Commerce and Accounting graduate during at the Fiji National University (FNU) College of Humanities and Education graduation ceremony.
“My parents have always taught me that education is the key to success,” She said — reflecting on the foundational lesson instilled in her as a child.
“I have taken that seriously in my life and I know that education has brought me here to where I am today.”
As the youngest of three siblings, Ms Sagar embraced her role as the youngest in the family, but never shied away from hard work.
Her older brother, who is eight years her senior, played a pivotal role in motivating her.
“I owe a lot to my brother because he always made sure he was on time picking me up from school, reminding me of our parents’ struggles, and encouraging me to do better.”
Her parents Sunita Devi and Ram Sagar worked tirelessly to ensure their children could access education despite significant financial challenges.
“We faced a lot of financial difficulties, so I know for sure that even though we didn’t receive free education, paying for school fees was really hard for us.
“We would often have to stand at the head teacher’s office because we couldn’t pay the fees.”
Despite the challenges, Ms Sagar excelled academically. Assistance from programs such as bus fare assistance, free education, and the National Toppers Scheme proved to be lifelines.
“With those schemes I was able to get to where I am today. If I hadn’t received Toppers, I would have taken out a loan to further my studies because I didn’t want to put my parents into more debt.”
Her father’s work as a casual labourer and her mother’s odd jobs served as constant reminders of their sacrifices. Now employed since January and with her brother also contributing, Ms Sagar is optimistic about creating a better future for her parents.
“My brother has a job, I’m working and we’re slowly getting there,” she said with a smile.
Looking back on her journey, she hopes to inspire others facing similar struggles.
“I want kids to know that it’s not always going to be hard — there are better days ahead.”
