Risha Mishra and Yetamma Reddy shattered barriers by being the only two Indo-Fijian females who participated in Lomary Secondary School’s annual cadet ceremony on Friday.
The duo shared their excitement about being involved in cadet training and the passing-out event.
Year 11 student Risha Mishra mentioned that being part of the cadet training provided her with a fresh perspective on life. She noted that moving from Rampur College to Lomary Secondary School was a leap of faith, as the environment was different for her.
“I spent two years at Rampur College, and moving to a new school environment, especially a predominantly iTaukei one, gave me a sense of belonging,” Mishra said. “Being the only Indo-Fijian girl in my class, I don’t feel different from any other girl.”
Mishra, who aspires to become a businesswoman, stood tall while enduring the heat during the march-past parade. “It’s all in the mind when I decided to participate in this year’s cadet parade. I felt a lot of acceptance from my classmates and teachers, which really made a difference,” she said. “I realize it was all worth it.”
Reddy, who spent more than two years at Lomary, said it will be historic that this was the first time two Indo-Fijian girls participated in such an event. Aspiring to join the Fiji Police Force, she took cues from the cadet parade procedures and what it is like to be in the force.
Reddy explained that the structured nature of cadet training instilled a strong sense of discipline and responsibility. “Cadets learn to manage time effectively, follow procedures, and meet high standards,” she said. “Cadet training often involves various challenges and scenarios that require quick thinking and problem-solving.”