University of Fiji student Avishek Pawan Nair has fulfilled his dream of becoming a lawyer after being admitted to the bar at the Suva High Court, dedicating the achievement to his late father, whose death during his first year of law school nearly ended his legal journey.
Originally from Nadi, Nair says studying law during the COVID-19 pandemic was particularly challenging as classes moved online, while relocating from Nadi to Suva to complete his Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice also proved difficult.
INSERT: Nair on support 24th July
Meanwhile, inspired by a high school teacher who always told her that there should be justice, Divya Darsana Raj has realised her ambition of joining Fiji's legal profession.
Originally from Lautoka, Raj spoke to fijivillage News moments after the admission ceremony and admitted she was overwhelmed with emotion.
Raj says her passion for law began in high school, where a teacher inspired her to pursue the profession.
She also thanked her family and friends for supporting her throughout her studies, saying that although her parents were unable to attend the admission ceremony, her fiancé was by her side to celebrate the achievement.
Also admitted to the High Court was Ifrana Zoya Ali, who is originally from Nadi and now lives in Sigatoka.
Ali says she had always wanted to study criminology, but financial and family circumstances meant she could not pursue it overseas.
She says law became the closest path to achieving her dream of working in criminal law and family law.
Ali says the journey was not easy, as she had to leave her family and move to Suva for five months to complete her Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice.
She says adjusting to life in Suva was challenging, but the unwavering support of her family, particularly her mother and brothers, helped her through the difficult period.
