“I wish to thank Almighty God for his guidance. I am also grateful for my parents who made the necessary sacrifices to support me financially and emotionally. They are the ones who worked very hard to support me financially and all my teachers,” an emotional Uotam Heeralall said when interviewed by Stabroek News.
Son of a popular Anna Regina and Charity market vendor of same name, Heeralall of Affiance Village Region Two, recalled his starting his formal academic life in the village of Affiance where he attended the Affiance Nursery School and Taymouth Manor Primary School. After being awarded a school in Georgetown for his NGSA examinations he acquired a transfer to Anna Regina Secondary where he desired to complete his secondary education. He further related to Stabroek News that the first three years of his secondary school’s life were normal but became rather interesting when he entered the science stream. It was then he surmised that the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate [CSEC] examinations would be the most vital examination of his young life. “I always say that don’t do it because you have to; do it because you want to and for the love of it.”
Reminiscing on his pre-examination’s state of mind, Heeralall said that once his timetable was drafted, he recognized that consistency was the key to guarantee success. “At the bottom of my study timetable, I wrote the number “251” which was an indication that the goal to be achieved was twenty-five (25) grade ones” the country’s co-top performer explained. He believed that this dedication was contributory to setting the correct mindset before his examinations. “I would not be that student to tell upcoming CSEC students to work hard and make sacrifices, I would say be yourself and focus on what is best for you. Indeed, sacrifices would be made but once you focus on yourself with commitment and self-motivation it would not feel like you are making a sacrifice,” he further added. Heeralall is hoping that he would be able to pursue his dream career of becoming a surgeon with a scholarship.
But Heeralall’s euphoria is not limited only to him. His parents are still trying to come to grips with their son’s success. An overjoyed Heeralall, the father, who sells at the Anna Regina and Charity markets, could only say that he is super proud of his son’s performances. “If it’s one dollar I make at the market I ensure that I put it up for my son’s education… today I am a proud father,” the elated Heeralall said. Describing his son as one worthy of his admiration, Heeralall said during the August vacation his son would accompany him to the market and assist in selling their plant products. He also said that it was his son’s involvement in gardening that guarantees a steady supply of plants for the market.
“He is a disciplined child and today I am proud of him, he helps me in the garden, and whatever we have, we take it to the market and sell and all the money goes towards his school,” Heeralall, the father, explained. Heeralall’s mother, Chitrakha Heeralall, became emotional as she recalled the sleepless nights she spent with her son while he was up studying, whilst at the same time expressing her admiration for his dedication to self-studies. She said that her son was supported by his two older brothers, Neshall and Mahendra Heeralall. Meanwhile, the aspiring surgeon also wants to get involved in politics. He intimated that he does have a passion for serving humanity and would be glad to do so one day. Heeralall secured 24 Grade Ones and one Grade Two at this year’s CSEC examinations.
