–felt writing 24 subjects was best shot for a gov’t scholarship

RUDRANAUTH Sankar, of Airy Hall, in Region Two, made the entire region proud when it was announced that he had secured 23 Grade Ones and 1 Grade Two at this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC).

The Anna Regina Secondary School student is the son of two remarkable entrepreneurs, and was born into a family that knows the value of hard work and perseverance.

He is the youngest child of Anand and Vanie Sankar, both of whom have contributed to the building of a successful business through sheer determination.

Yet, as Rudranauth grew older, he realised that his dreams were bigger than the circumstances he was born into.

Rudranauth’s elder sister, Kelly, had already embarked on her academic journey at Texila American University, with their parents pouring every resource they had into her education.

Knowing that their financial support was already stretched thin, Rudranauth said that he understood that his path to higher education would have to be paved with his own efforts. He knew there was only one way forward, to earn a government scholarship, and to do that, he set his sights on achieving the unthinkable —undertaking 24 subjects at the 2024 CSEC examinations.

The journey he embarked on was not for the faint of heart. The workload was overwhelming, and the pressure at times seemed unbearable.

There were moments when the young student found himself on the brink of despair, his dreams teetering under the weight of countless school-based assessments, tight deadlines, and the heavy enormous amount of material he needed to read and remember.

Tears were shed in private moments of doubt, but Rudranauth’s resolve never wavered. In Fourth Form, Rudranauth made the bold decision to take on subjects beyond the standard curriculum. He enrolled in lessons with his school’s teachers, and even sought out additional guidance from instructors at neighbouring schools.

Among his chosen subjects that were challenging were Technical Vocational courses such as Mechanical Engineering Technology, Building and Furniture Technology, and Technical Drawing, subjects he began studying only late in the process. With limited time to cover the extensive syllabus, Rudranauth had to make sacrifices that most would consider unthinkable. Yet, he pressed on, driven by a vision of a brighter future.

Throughout this arduous journey, Rudranauth found strength in the support of those around him; individuals who saw his potential and treated him as one of their own. Among them was Sir Afmat Ali Nasir, a retired business teacher whose wisdom and encouragement has left a lasting impression on the young scholar.

“It is not the one who runs the fastest in the race, but the one who maintains the pace. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,” became a mantra that Rudranauth clung to during the toughest moments.

Then there was Sir Parmanand Singh, known as the finest CSEC Spanish teacher on the Essequibo Coast, who saw the potential in Rudranauth to achieve greatness.

“Rudra,” he would say, “I know you have the ability to excel in the Caribbean, just like Uotam Heerlall.” Those words were more than just encouragement; they were a prophecy that Rudranauth would make come true.

Another guiding light was Ms. Kumarie Seurattan, who not only offered academic guidance, but also shared stories of her own daughter’s success, inspiring Rudranauth to believe that he, too, could reach the pinnacle of academic achievement. The journey was far from easy.

Rudranauth’s days were a blur of lessons, school, and late-night study sessions that often stretched into the early hours of the morning. Sleep became a luxury, and his health suffered as a result. There were days when exhaustion would take its toll, leaving him to collapse on his textbooks. Yet, even in the face of these challenges, Rudranauth refused to give up. He knew that every missed class, every skipped study session, was a step further from his goal, and he was not willing to let that happen. And then, the results came in.

Rudranauth stood among Guyana’s top students, having achieved the highest number of Grade Ones. The joy and pride that filled his heart were indescribable. This success, he knew, was not his alone; it was the culmination of the unwavering support of his parents, who had sacrificed so much for him.

His mother, who had spent countless hours helping him complete his SBAs, and his father, who had faced near bankruptcy to ensure that Rudranauth could pursue his dream of taking on all 24 subjects. But Rudranauth’s story does not end here.

With a deep sense of gratitude, and a vision for the future, he has now sets his sights on a career in medicine. For him, becoming a doctor is not just about earning a living; it’s about saving lives; about giving back to the country that has given him so much.

His dream is to return to his homeland and contribute to its development; to be a part of the change that will make Guyana a better place in the world.

Rudranauth Sankar’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, the importance of community, and the belief that no dream is too big if you are willing to work for it. His story is not just his own. It is the story of every young person who dares to dream; who faces challenges head-on, and who, with the support of those around them, turns those dreams into reality.