Avikash Kumar is a USP law graduate whose achievements were fuelled by the passing of his father and the long financial struggles faced by his single mother.

And he did it with flying colours.

Originally from Nausori, the 28-year-old was one of the many who graduates who graduated during the USP graduation ceremony at the Vodafone Arena on April 12.

“On the day of my graduation, which was the very date I lost my dad; I was accompanied by my mum and I felt on that day my dad must have been watching from heaven and must have been happy and proud,” Mr Kumar said.

“My mum was so emotional and yet so happy to see me graduate because that was a dream come true. She was lost for words.”

Mr Kumar said growing up was not all a bed of roses.

“Life for us was a struggle because we were not financially well off and we were staying at our family home from my father’s side. But due to a family dispute, we left and lived with my aunt.

“We faced a lot of financial hardships as my father was diagnosed with a heart issue in 2011.

“Despite being the sole breadwinner of our family, he had no choice but to resign from work to heal.

“Upon his passing in 2016, all the load fell on me and I had to balance both my work and my studies.”

Mr Kumar said ever since he was little he had developed a passion for being a lawyer as a determined career path.

“My pre-school teacher had asked me what I wanted to become during a career parade and one thing I kept repeating was becoming a certified lawyer.”

It was also his father’s dream that his son would complete his education.

“He’d always wanted me to become educated and make him proud because there wasn’t a lawyer in our family. My journey was also further fuelled by my mum’s brother’s passing.”

As he walked up to the stage, Mr Kumar reminisced about the tough times he had gone through along with his family.

“It’s a lifetime memory as I was both nervous and excited at the same time. I could only thank God for that day that I went up to receive my degree.”

Mr Kumar wholeheartedly dedicates his achievement to his late father for always being a pillar of strength and support in both his personal and academic journey.

“My late dad Mr Ajesh Kumar struggled to fulfill my education needs and put food on our table. I thank him for putting faith in me and believing in me.”

Mr Kumar’s advice to young people who seek to follow the same career path is to keep focusing on the positive and always be open to constructive criticism.

“Never give up. Law school is not easy but with hard work and resilience everything will flow. You have to focus on what you are doing and be like a sponge that absorbs knowledge.”

The proud graduate of law is currently employed with the judicial department of Fiji with hopes of furthering his education in ten years.

“I also want to help people and contribute to the development of our country’s justice system,” he said.