Perseverance gets Kumari through
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PERSEVERANCE and hard work are two key factors behind Reshmi Kumari’s success. The current director of policy, planning and research at the Ministry of Sugar Industry started her career as a clerk in a garment factory.
Born and raised in Tavua, she came from a poor family of five siblings.
After completing her primary education, Ms Kumari enrolled at Tavua College.
The school was far away from her home, but it was a place where she could compete academically.
She completed Year 13 in 2000 but only entered a tertiary institution in 2006.
“Although I passed my Year 13 examination with good marks, I failed the most important subjectEnglish,” she said.
Failing English meant no scholarship and no university admission.
“I lost self-confidence, self-esteem and thought I had no future.
“My parents tried to convince me to repeat Year 13, but I did not because I was afraid of failing English again, so I stayed home.”
At home, she had a lot of time to think about of her future and the prospect of a career.
“After re-collecting myself, I left for Nadi in 2002 with the intention of getting a job so that I have enough finances to at least pursue a diploma course.”
She stayed with her relatives and worked as a human resources clerk at a garment factory.
The following year, she joined another company working as a data entry clerk before leaving for home in 2004, as it became difficult staying in Nadi.
She said after one year at home, she mustered enough courage to explore employment opportunities in Suva.
“In Suva, while working as a part-time sales assistant and office clerk, I also got enrolled at the then Fiji Institute of Technology (FIT) for evening classes.
“Enrolling in FIT was my breakthrough. At 2I, I regained my confidence because I knew I was back on track in my quest to obtain a degree.”
She, during her last semester, got an industrial internship at a financial institution.
“I had applied for scholarship while still on internship. During my last month of internship, I was informed through local newspapers that I had been offered a multiethnic scholarship to pursue a fulltime degree in USP.
“Before I even graduated from USP in 2010, I was employed by USP as a Research Assistant in the Economics Department.”
She also pursued a post-graduate diploma in Economics and completed it in 2012.
In 2015, she completed her Masters in Economics from Japan.
Ms Kumari says her journey is inspiring because she started her tertiary education when all her friends had already started earning.
“All my struggles made me stronger.
“They led me to move out of my comfort zone and empowered me to take risks,” she said.
“Even after failing Year 13 English, I made it. Every rejection helped me to re-look at myself.”
She acknowledged her parents, especially her late dad, who never stopped believing in her and always advised her to embrace her struggles.
“I have also been inspired by many successful individuals such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Jack Ma, Colonel Harland Sanders (founder of KFC), Steve Harvey, Oprah Winfrey and also our local stars like Jerry Tuwai and Roy Krishna who once were almost nothing but are famous personalities today.”
Ms Kumari’s hobbies include watching sports, gardening, travelling, sight-seeing and reading.
All my struggles
made me stronger. They led me to move
out of my comfort zone and empowered me to take risks. Even after failing Year 13 English, I made it. Every rejection helped me to re-look at
myself.
– Reshmi Kumari