Naren Prasad grew up in the rice fields of Vunicagi, Dreketi, dreaming of escaping his rural life to explore the world. His parents, uneducated but hardworking farmers, instilled the importance of education in their youngest son, prompting him to endure a daily 12-kilometer barefoot trek along muddy and dusty roads to attend Dreketi Indian School.
Reflecting on those early challenges, Mr. Prasad believes they equipped him for a successful future. Today, he serves as the head of education and training in the research department of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Geneva, Switzerland. His current life starkly contrasts with his humble beginnings, as his father dedicated half the year to farming rice and the other half to harvesting sugarcane to provide for the family.
Mr. Prasad recalled how his mother managed the household while his father worked, ensuring their four children were cared for. In school, he depended on high marks to secure scholarships, recalling how $50 made a significant difference back then. When he progressed to Dreketi High School, his father gifted him a bicycle, eliminating the long walks and allowing him to focus on his studies in accounting, which eventually led to a scholarship for foundation studies in social science.
In 1988, Mr. Prasad received another scholarship to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in economics and accounting. A pivotal moment occurred when a friend, who did not have a scholarship, encouraged him to apply for one at the French Embassy. Initially reluctant, he filled out the application and was surprised to be selected for a scholarship to study mathematics in France, despite not knowing French at the time.
Thus began a transformative journey marked by hard work and adaptability, as he soaked in experiences in France, where he studied mathematics for six months before continuing with his undergraduate studies in applied mathematics in Bordeaux. He later obtained a postgraduate degree in applied social science and a PhD in economics.
At the age of 26, Mr. Prasad expressed interest in an internship at UNESCO, which launched his career in the United Nations system, leading him through various roles including research coordinator at the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development and later at the ILO. His career has taken him to over 60 countries, where he has emphasized the values of hard work, perseverance, and remaining true to one’s roots.
Mr. Prasad regularly returns to Dreketi to visit family, enjoying local traditions like sharing kava and homemade meals. He attributes his success to the power of education and the supportive family environment he was raised in, urging others to believe in themselves while avoiding shortcuts. He believes that failure should not deter anyone, but instead can serve as motivation to keep trying.