Adran Kumar is thankful that he heeded his mother’s advice to participate in the New Zealand-Fiji Secondary School Essay Competition 2024. The 17-year-old Year 12 student from Sabeto College in Nadi emerged as the supreme winner of the 16th edition of the competition.
Kumar was one of only two students from the Western Division recognized for his outstanding essay. He initially struggled to complete his writing and felt discouraged, expressing doubts about his abilities compared to other students across the country. “I thought it would be in vain to invest my effort into writing an essay that might not succeed,” he shared. However, his mother’s encouragement pushed him to persevere. “I am grateful I listened to her,” he added.
The competition saw the participation of over 100 secondary schools, with a total of 600 essays submitted. The theme revolved around the concept of the Pacific Way, emphasizing the unique approaches of the Pacific region.
Kumar credits his success to his teachers and noted that his essay focused on eco-tourism and the importance of preserving the vanua. He explained, “The significance of eco-tourism is that it showcases the Pacific and the world who we are, helping to preserve Fijian culture, traditions, and land.”
With aspirations to study medicine, Kumar received $500 in cash, a laptop, and a certificate of recognition for his achievements. One of the judges, Dr. Satendra Singh, praised the overall quality of writing in the competition, stating, “A good essay or article does not only attract but touches the hearts of the readers.”
Alex Shahryar-Davies, the Deputy High Commissioner of the New Zealand High Commission, expressed pride in supporting the essay competition for 16 years. He remarked, “It has provided a fantastic opportunity for students across Fiji to express themselves through writing and share ideas that benefit our communities.”
The recipients of certificates of recognition included Shresti Devi from Year 11, and Kristina Kavita, Shakshi Chand, and Nitish Chand from Year 13.