–exceptionally brilliant; exceptionally talented; exceptionally accomplished
KIRAN Aarti Mattai, perhaps currently the youngest lawyer in Guyana, is an exceptionally brilliant and talented young woman whose aspirations include not just pressing on academically, but even entering the field of politics at a later point in her life. She was just 22 years old when former Speaker of the National Assembly, Senior Counsel Ralph Ramkarran, presented a petition in the High Court for her admission to the Bar. On that occasion, she was described by Ramkarran as someone with a “very distinguished past.”

Aspirations
Kiran indeed has big plans for her future. “I would love to be involved, even at a political or government level, in development — whether it is in the education sector or in some other capacity,” she disclosed in an interview with the Chronicle.
This aspiration is in light of her belief that working in such a capacity could assist in further developing Guyana. Though that’s her ultimate ambition, she is using the present to develop other useful skills that would make her better equipped for life as a political person.
Along with her political ambitions, Kiran feels that balancing her career with a family is important. Accordingly, she said: “In ten years’ time, I would love to be married, and at least be on my way to having a family.”
Having made a number of significant achievements in her life thus far, Kiran said that while attending Mae’s Primary School, she skipped what was then Primary One on advice from her teacher, whom she said probably saw something in her that she did not then realize. The teacher evidently thought that Kiran was a fast learner and hence could be promoted.
At the then Common Entrance Examinations, she was among the country’s top ten students. This achievement served as a motivation to her in attending to her studies. She next attended Queen’s College, where she also performed well, topping the country at the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) results.
She moved on to School of the Nations, where she topped the school at the Cambridge Exams. Kiran went on to attend the University of Guyana, where she passed her law degree with distinction, and was the second best graduating law student. She spent the following two years at the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad.

Keep on going
Kiran never took a break from studying after leaving school. “I never entertained the idea of taking a break, so I was busy for the past few years of my life. I said, ‘I started it, let me finish it’.”
She described her internship at Cameron and Shepherd law firm last year as a really rewarding experience, having gotten a chance to experience “law at its finest.” She was able to benefit from the training of Senior Counsel Ralph Ramkarran and his two sons, from whom she received guidance. She also completed a stint at the Guyana Legal Aid Clinic.
Following her admission to the Bar, though, she took some time off for herself, and then took up her first official job at the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) where she is the Legal Officer. “I started in January, and it has definitely been interesting. It entails a lot of commercial work, contracts, and a lot of non-legal work, which gives me an idea of management, and understanding different sectors. Work-wise, it’s primarily corporate, commercial; learning the sciences behind how things operate.” Her boss, Mr. Mahendar Sharma, has been very patient with her on the job.

“A feather in my cap”
Kiran is proud of herself, just as much as her dad, Harry, and mom, Bharati, are. Being possibly the youngest lawyer in the country is not something that she thinks about all the time, because she observed that this in no way makes her a better lawyer.
“It just makes me age wise. But I’m proud of the fact that I was able to start something and see it to completion, and do it to the best of my ability. In as much as I know I have a long way to go maturity wise, it (being the youngest) still is a feather in my cap,” she related.
A lot of hard work was involved in Kiran’s achievements. “It wasn’t that I wanted to pass, but I wanted to pass well,” she says. Also, being in the company of mature individuals has definitely played a role in Kiran’s success. Instead of feeling intimidated in the company of older, more qualified lawyers and professionals, Kiran deems it a privilege.
Contributing significantly to her progress as well were her dear parents, who gave Kiran what she needed, resulting in her never being in want. “They don’t apologise for giving me what they have. My family has been my pillar of strength; whether it is a heart break, or not getting through with something, they have been there for me,” she says. Her older sister is Indira, who is married to Robin Chanderpaul; and her younger brother is Suraj.

Dancing and modelling
Kiran, part of the Apsara Dance Group, has been involved in Indian dancing since she was about 8 years old, due to her love for dancing. Dancing has been her passion, and engaging in such has helped her not to feel overworked or stressed.
She is also into arts and is a fan of Hindi music. She reads a lot, likes to hang out with friends at the end of a week, loves a good party, and likes to cook. Her experience in Trinidad, while studying there, has helped her in this way; and furthermore, has assisted her in developing a well-rounded personality.
Kiran also loves to model, and is fond of Indian movies such as Veer Zaara and Love Aaj Kal. “I’m a sucker for love stories. I love romantic comedies,” she said.
Kiran further described herself as talkative, friendly, and at times childish. She is quite sensitive, too, even though she was trained to have a tough exterior and not to take things personally. “When it comes to my social life, I’m a little bit sensitive, and I don’t respond well when the same kind of honesty and loyalty (I) give is not reciprocated. I can stress easily because of that.”
She tries not to take things for granted, and takes delight in making people feel comfortable around her. This very attitude was evident as she conducted this interview.
Kiran lives by her parents’ training to remain a humble person, and she often engages in charitable work, even visiting orphanages to teach and spend time with children. She did not care to elaborate on the details of charity work she and her family are involved in.

Advice
Kiran’s advice to young people, who may have big dreams for themselves, is: “Do not keep yourself in a box. Don’t think that it’s the end of the world when something bad happens. It’s ok to feel bad and express yourself but that doesn’t mean you have to remain there. Be open to new opportunities, to criticism. Don’t limit yourself.”
At the time of her admission to the Bar, Kiran told Justice Rishi Persaud: “I am exactly where I envisioned myself ten years ago. I’m here because of my parents.” She had pledged to not become complacent, and had mentioned how she had a passion for Family Law. “This has always been my dream,” the young woman said.