Labasa brothers chart dual paths in medicine and law, fueled by family values and community service
The Maharaj brothers, Adheesh and Ashrit, grew up in Labasa, Fiji, in a close-knit family that places education, integrity, and service at the heart of daily life. Their parents, Anesh and Shobhna Maharaj, instilled a strong work ethic and a spirit of giving back, shaping two very different yet equally impactful careers.
Adheesh Maharaj began his schooling at Labasa Sangam Primary in 1999 and continued at Labasa Sangam SKM College. Driven by a calling to help and heal others, he pursued six years of medical studies at the University of Fiji, earning his MBBS in 2017. For him, becoming a medical practitioner is more than a career; it is a vocation. “What better opportunity to heal than being a doctor?” he reflected, underscoring the daily fulfillment of saving lives and receiving blessings from patients. Looking ahead, Adheesh aims to subspecialise in medicine and improve healthcare access for maritime communities through teleconferencing and decentralised care.
Ashrit Maharaj’s path took him from Labasa to Suva, where he studied at the University of the South Pacific’s Laucala campus. He graduated with a Bachelor of Laws in 2022 and followed with a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice in 2023, becoming Fiji’s first-generation lawyer in his family. He now serves as Legal Counsel at RB Patel Group Ltd, where his work spans corporate law, compliance, litigation, and property negotiations. The COVID-19 lockdown presented a particular challenge as courses shifted online, yet Ashrit stayed the course by establishing routines for exercise and self-care at home. He recalled, “I had no handouts, so I learned by reading extensively and seeking answers on my own.”
Beyond their professional pursuits, the brothers share a passion for soccer. Their personal interests diverge in small but meaningful ways: Adheesh enjoys music and travel, while Ashrit is drawn to reading legal developments, socialising, and driving. Their upbringing fostered a balance between demanding careers and a fulfilling personal life, with both brothers often juggling studies and work to stay on track.
Their stories offer lessons that extend beyond Fiji. Adheesh’s advice to aspiring professionals is to start early and accept that failure is a prerequisite for growth: “It’s never too early to begin. You won’t achieve anything if you don’t fall and fail countless times first. Stay focused on your goals, and good things will follow.” Ashrit’s message emphasizes patience and resilience: success rarely happens instantly; it comes through small, consistent steps and learning from setbacks. He adds the importance of integrity and hard work, urging others to surround themselves with uplifting mentors and view challenges as opportunities for growth. Looking forward, he plans to pursue a master’s degree in law, with a broader aim to contribute to governance, corporate responsibility, and youth development in Fiji, while continuing to cherish family time.
The Maharaj brothers’ journeys echo a broader pattern among Fiji’s younger professionals, where determination, family support, and ongoing education propel individuals toward significant community impact. Stories from peers who balanced demanding studies with work, navigated financial hurdles with help from loved ones, and celebrated academic milestones reinforce the idea that education can be a powerful catalyst for positive change.
As they continue to build their careers, Adheesh and Ashrit offer a hopeful example for Fiji’s youth: pursue your goals with perseverance, lean on mentors and family, and seek to give back to your communities. Their paths—one in medicine focused on making healthcare more accessible, the other in law with an eye toward governance and youth development—illustrate how dedication to principle and service can create tangible benefits for families and communities alike.
In summary, the Maharaj brothers embody the values of hard work, learning, and service. Their parallel journeys in medicine and law demonstrate how a supportive upbringing and steadfast personal discipline can empower two different professions to contribute meaningfully to Fiji’s future while keeping family at the center of their ambitions.
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