Fiji Sun

Nandan, Chand thankful for opportunit­y

‘Work hard and don’t let your situation limit you from getting out of your comfort zone.’

- JOSEFA BABITU Edited by Jeremiah Ligairi

The support from her peers made the training possible. At least those were the sentiments of Alexandra Nandan. She’s the only female Fijian of Indian descent who completed the latest recruitmen­t training.

The 22-year-old almost gave up when she was four weeks into the training. She found it tough.

“I was not as fit as the other recruits.

“It was difficult for me being the only Indian girl here but thanks to all the recruits for making it possible,” she said.

Ms Nadan aspires to be a public relations officer and she found that one of the ways she could do that in the disciplina­ry force is by becoming a prison officer first.

Assessing her situation while studying journalism at the University of the South Pacific, she knew there were other ways to become a media personnel.

The Ba lass’s financial situation made the call.

It was not a dream for her to join the force but she was thankful for the opportunit­y to do so.

“Work hard and don’t let your situation limit you from getting out of your comfort zone.”

Khaushik Chand faced a similar situation. He worked in the business industry to pay for his tuition but when the school fees could not be covered by what he was earning, he opted for a career switch.

He applied for a spot in the Correction­s Service.

“I am very excited for this opportunit­y to be available because it

They are part of the 68 new recruits of the Fiji Correction­s Service this year...

will enable me to provide for me and my family,” he said.

The 26-year-old was adopted into his family from Naduna, Labasa when he was 12 years old.

Mr Chand said while the training was hard, it was his days of trying to find a home that kept him going.

“I was going through a lot of family problems when my new family took me in.”

“When they took me in, they put me through school and provided many opportunit­ies for me.

He added that he wanted to make them proud of his work.

They are part of the 68 new recruits of the Fiji Correction­s Service this year who had their passing-out parade on Saturday.

Feedback: josefa.babitu@fijisun.com.fj

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 ?? Josefa Babitu ?? From left: Alexandra Nadan and Khaushik Chand. Photo:
Josefa Babitu From left: Alexandra Nadan and Khaushik Chand. Photo:

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