NATION

Travelling To Labasa Was Worth It: Swastika

Excellence Award recipient for the Bachelor of Nursing from the Then India Sanmarga Ikya (TISI) Sangam School of Nursing in Healthcare Education Swastika Kumar never lost sight of her goal.
09 Dec 2016 11:09
Travelling To Labasa Was Worth It: Swastika
Swastika Kumar (middle) with her boyfriend Shavneel Kumar(left) and Anjula Devi (far-right). Photo: JOSAIA RALAGO

Excellence Award recipient for the Bachelor of Nursing from the Then India Sanmarga Ikya (TISI) Sangam School of Nursing in Healthcare Education Swastika Kumar never lost sight of her goal.

The Nasau, Nadi lass who left her home three years ago in pursuit of the undergraduate degree said: “I never looked back on my decision, it has been a long winding road and today I have finally done it.”

Ms Kumar was among the 91 students who graduated at the graduation ceremony attended by about 250 guests at the Labasa Civic Centre.

She said her decision to join the nursing college in Labasa was one of the best decisions she had made in her life.

“I knew I was going to a place where I had no relatives, no friends and somewhere I was a total stranger to.  But in my pursuit to achieve a degree of nursing I had left my home and came to the North,” she said.

“I had to rent out for the three years that I was here, it was never easy. Without my parents, I had to be wise on how I spent money.

“There were days when I missed my family badly and my parents faces would appear in my head but I knew I had to overcome all this.”

Ms Kumar said it was hard work, dedication and commitment that have enabled her to receive this award.

“My advice is that we should work hard, every hurdle that presents itself in-front of us is a challenge, stay focused to never lose sight of your goal,” she said.

Ms Kumar dedicated her success to her sister and her parents back in Nadi.

She also received the Excellence in Primary Health Care Award, Excellence in Nursing Knowledge and Excellence in Personal and Professional Development.

“It was the first time for me to travel away from my parents and it was not easy at first. But you have to the sacrifice first before you can achieve good.”

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