Being admitted to the bar was a bittersweet moment for Shamira Zoya Ali, who wished her late grandmother was alive to witness her accomplishment.

She was one of the 24 University of Fiji graduates who became legal practitioners during their admission ceremony at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva on Friday.

Ms Ali, 24, was emotional when she spoke about her grandmother saying that she would have been happy to see her become a lawyer.

“Today I had the best and worst feeling at the same time; best feeling in the sense that I finally finished my law studies and worse feeling because the person I shared this dream with is not here today,” Ms Ali said.

“How I wished my grandmother was here to see me finally become the first lawyer in my family.

“In my last unit as my exam approached my grandmother passed away and she and I were very close.”

She thanked her father for his continuous support.

“My father is a Police officer and it was because of him that I wanted to get into law in a way so that I can help people. Thanks to my father I can go out in the field debt free because he paid my fees through Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF),” Ms Ali said.

“Nothing comes easy in life and most importantly my parents wanted to teach me to be humble and be content with what I have.

“The lessons my parents taught me is something I will not forget. I know they want me to become a better person.

“My parents have done what they could and now it is my turn to make them proud.”

Story By: wati.talebula@fijisun.com.fj