By Ravin Singh
AS a boy, Sachin Ramsuran’s father took him on occasional visits to the canefields.

Far from being leisurely strolls, those trips were meant to teach the young Sachin a lesson: study hard, or join his father in the back-breaking work of a cane-cutter.
Sachin chose to study hard, and Sunday he graduated as Valedictorian at the University of Guyana, having read for a Bachelors’ Degree in Electrical Engineering for which he scored a perfect 4.0 GPA.
Sitting on a wooden chair under his parents’ bottom-house, he told us his story – one of humility, dedication and hard work.
He was born to a Diaram Ramsuran, a cane-cutter who admits that he doesn’t know to read or write, and Karmawatie Ramsuran, a part-time seamstress who was never afforded the opportunity to attend secondary school. The three live at Plantation Patentia, West Bank Demerara.
His father recalls that at a tender age, he would take his son to the “backdam” to witness the tedious work he did. He would often ask him in typical Creole refrain: “yuh go guh school or yuh want to end up like me?” The reply would be: “No daddy, me want go school.”

“This man serious; anytime he go school and get homework, since he reach home, sometime the man won’t even take off he shoes and he done start doing it; because he ain’t want end up like he father.”
But securing the best grade in the country at the highest institution in Guyana was not the first recognised mark of success for Sachin.
When he sat the then Common Entrance examination in 2003, he was among the first from Patentia Primary school to secure a place at the prestigious Queen’s College.
He laughs at the fact that it was difficult for him as a “country boy going to town school,” but he managed to groove in nicely.
Completing seven years at the secondary level which included two years of ‘A’ Levels, Sachin was among the top performers in the country, having his photos and grades published in daily local print.
In 2010, he enrolled at the University of Guyana (UG) to read for a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, after having recognised that this was his calling.
During his first year at the institution, though he had done ‘A’ Levels which was a preparatory step, there were still challenges which greeted him, including the 15 courses which he had to do annually.
“We did 15 courses a year. So over the five years, we would have done 57 courses as compared to the other faculties that do 40 courses,” he laments.
Recognising that the field which he registered for was more of a practical one as opposed to theoretical, Sachin explained that he relied on the support of his colleagues who had the institutional knowledge, having worked prior to their academic endeavours. He too, supported them through theoretical assistance, given that this was his strength.
Having acknowledged that the last Valedictorian to emerge from the faculty of Technology was in 1996, he adds that he had no intention of aiming that high, and concentrated on maximising his potential.
“My colleagues and I recognised from the inception that we had to work together if we wanted to achieve what he have achieved today.”
Listing his challenges as a student at UG, the 23 year old explained that the quantity of courses was most challenging.
This was coupled with the fact that he had no practical experience in a field which required same. Understanding the psychology of lecturers too, whom he described as “the judges, juries and the lawyers” was critical to his achievement.
But what stood out for this young man was probably the fact that he had no internet at home for the five years to support his studies, and relied entirely on the WiFi provided at UG to aid in his research. He said this calmly, and with a genuine smile as if it was not a bother.
He boasts of the support received from his hardworking parents who, supported by his uncle and aunt, paid his tuition fees in cash rather than have him depend on student loans.
His mother too, attests to the fact that the absence of a financial strain can be credited to the fact that support was rendered by his uncle and aunt who played an integral role in his life.
“Financially we tried hard. But it wasn’t too hard for us, because we always tried to cater for his studies. We saved and paid cash for UG with the support from his aunt and uncle.”
His domestic life was not too much of a challenge he noted, since his parents were au fait with his academic commitment which demanded most of his limited time.
Having to leave home at 7:00 am every morning for classes and returning at 8:00 pm, Sachin revealed that work at home was not too demanding, given the support from his parents.
“I had it easy because my parents were very supportive. I am an only child, so one would expect me to be of much help around the house, but my parents understood that I had a lot of obligations in academic life and they supported me.
“I didn’t have to do housework and so.
“The little day- to- day activities that you need to do to get through the day was provided for me. So I had the opportunity to focus on my studies.”
When quizzed on what ultimately was his long-term motivation behind his success, his answer was rooted in his religious upbringing.
According to the Valedictorian, reflection on Chapter One of the Bhagavad Gita – the holy book of Hindus – where Lord Krishna encourages Arjuna to fight after he (Arjuna) had given up, was the greatest motivation.
“During my stay at UG, when I thought about giving up, I’d constantly remind myself of that chapter in the Gita and that gave me the motivation to press on,” he said.
But this religious response came as a result of him not limiting his life solely to academic involvement.
In fact, he reveals that in 2003, just prior to him sitting the Common Entrance examination, he was exposed to religion on a new level, which birthed his enthusiasm and eagerness to become involved and contribute meaningfully to his faith.
“This was the beginning of my religious education. It was from that point, with the support of my uncle, I started to study the Hindu Holy Scriptures,” he recalled, adding that his only regret in terms of religion is the fact that he could not play a more integral role in the Hindu Society at UG due to his academic workload.
His uncle though, Teacher Nando, praised his involvement in spirituality, revealing that the top student is also the lead singer of the Chowtal group at the Mandir which the family attends, and he can also perform classical Indian dances.
“He is very talented,” Teacher Nando said, adding that Sachin would do whatever research the Mandir is in need of.
And as a result of his achievement, Teacher Nando boasted that the members of the Mandir are extremely happy about his achievement, since it is also an achievement for them.
Questioned on the next move, the young scholar disclosed that his next attempt is to acclimatise to Guyana’s industry and workforce, by seeking local employment .
He hopes to within the next five years pursue his Masters’ Degree in an area in Electrical Engineering which suits his liking.
His father would be happy if he secures a job and finds a wife.
Teacher Nando also offered words of encouragement to his nephew, reminding him to strike a balance in his academics and moral values.
“My encouragement to him is for him to go out into the world and do great, but don’t forget your religious alliance. Because there may be so many distractions and I would like to see him help to build this nation and be an example to young people across this country.”
Sachin concluded his interview by reminding all Guyanese that while his parents didn’t come from a strong education background, they never wavered in their attempts to give him a good education.
This he says, should be a model adopted by every family in Guyana; that even if parents were not educated, there is no excuse for them not giving their child the opportunity to have one.
“If your children have the potential, you need to give them the support.
“Not coming from a rich family is no excuse.”