WHEN Jiten Reddy learned he had been appointed to Fiji’s Constitutional Offices Commission (COC), his first reaction was somewhat of disbelief.
The prominent Suva lawyer described the news as “an overwhelming surprise”, reflecting on a journey that has taken him from a humble upbringing in rural Vanua Levu to one of the country’s most important constitutional bodies.
Born in Qalewaqa, Labasa, to a cane-cutter father and a homemaker mother, Mr Reddy grew up in a sugar cane farming community where poverty was a daily reality.
“Living in poverty taught me respect, honesty, integrity and pushed me to every level of hard work,” he said.
“The best lesson I learnt was that education was the best thing in life that could elevate and shape a person’s life.”
His legal career started modestly as a messenger and tea boy at the High Court before he was promoted to court clerk.
A turning point came when the late former magistrate and Permanent Secretary for Justice, Sakiusa Rabuka, encouraged him to pursue law.
“He saw the potential in me and walked with me to the University of Fiji to enrol in my Bachelor of Laws program.
“Had he not been my guiding light, I would not have applied for a scholarship or even enrolled at university.”
Today, the founder of Jiten Reddy Lawyers credits much of his success to his family, especially his wife Nazneen.
“She stood by me at every step of my life. She and my two boys endured so much hardship during my university days but never backed off from their support.”
As a member of the COC, Mr Reddy hopes to help ensure appointments are based on merit.
“I will ensure that people with the best qualifications and most suited to the job get the position based on merit and not personal recommendations.”
His advice to aspiring lawyers is simple: “Go for it and become the best in the market.”
