OUT of quiet struggles, Reshmika Lata has achieved her dream of becoming a lawyer.
Lata graduated with a Bachelor of Laws from the University of the South Pacific last week.
She firmly believes success drops in the laps as if the heavens threw it on purpose.
“I’m a mother to 5 children and a devoted wife, I remained steadfast toward achieving my goal despite all the struggles.”
Husband’s support, father inspires to do law
Lata said while her husband Rakesh Chand Singh made huge sacrifices for her education, it was her father Raja Ram who inspired her to become a lawyer after he was misrepresented in his younger days.
“Only if my dad was given good legal advice, he wouldn’t have to put in time, I feel for him,” said Lata.
“He inspired me to become a lawyer so the underprivileged are fairly treated.
“And my husband has been my strength, had my back throughout life’s toughest times, he wanted to see me get a degree.”
University enrolment
Lata had enrolled for university in 2016, and took up work at Samuel Ram Lawyers in Ba in 2017 as a receptionist.
“A beginner, on-the-job learning.
“It opened up possibilities, a process that I had to follow through. I’m happy for Samuel Ram Lawyers for the support.”
Tonga relocation
Lata’s husband landed a job Tonga in 2020 as an automotive technician, and the family had to relocate.
Life had been good for a start, but after some time it turned into a struggle as his employer broke the employment undertakings and she stepped up to help alleviate some of the financial burden.
Making ends meet
Lata made roti parcels, Indian flat bread and sold for a dollar in a foreign country.
“I sold it to area people just to help sustain with expenses,” she said.
“I built clients who would buy parcels, there were others who bought it in large quantities to sell to their customers.”
Lata said it seemed like never ending problems in Tonga, adding whatever little she earned was for family and tuition, she had been doing online classes.
“When life throws you lemons you make lemonades.”
Back to Fiji
In 2020 Lata and family decided to return to Fiji and Navoli in Ba.
And in 2022, she was talked into working at her old place of work, Samuel Ram Lawyers.
Health Issues
It was in 2023 that sickness got the better of Lata, her husband who had been in Australia on a work visa learnt that she had health issues.
After a regular examination at a local doctor, it was revealed that she suffered from pulmonary hypertension, high blood pressure that affects the arteries in the lungs.
And sadly the treatment wasn’t available in the country.
“My husband and I went to India for treatment, and after going through tests I was told I didn’t need surgery but prescribed medicine is the cure,” said Lata.
“It was a blessing.”
Graduation
The relocation and sickness had delayed her units but she remained focused.
“It took a few more years, with all that was happening in life I had to catch up on my studies and this past week, I finally graduated,” Lata said.
“Better late than never.
“I owe it to my husband, children, dad, families and friends for without their support I wouldn’t have been able to pull it all together.”
Lata is the first lawyer in her family and is proud to represent.
