WHEN Jitendra Reddy first set foot in the High Court of Fiji, he was serving tea to judges presiding over court cases.
That was 16 years ago and it was then that the young Mr Reddy vowed to one day join the ranks of those in the legal fraternity.
And yesterday, he was finally admitted to the Bar in the very courtroom in which he first served as a tea boy 16 long years ago.
Speaking to The Fiji Times, a proud Mr Reddy was lost for words when asked to describe the emotions he felt in finally achieving his goal.
"When I first started as a tea boy, I saw the judges on the bench and the lawyers before them and it was then that I decided I would be among them one day," Mr Reddy said.
He explained he first started as grade two messenger in the legal system before rising up the ranks to become a court clerk with the Fiji Court of Appeal and Supreme Court Registry.
"I spent my first six months as a messenger and then I was promoted, so I started to go up the ranks.
"And now I'm here, I will start practising on Monday and I'm anxious to get started," he added with a proud smile.
Mr Reddy said he was indebted to the government and to his wife Nazmin Reddy for supporting him.
"I'm really thankful to the government for giving me a scholarship to pursue my bachelor of law and also for extending it to allow me to pursue my Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice," he said.
"My wife Nazmin Reddy has also been a pillar of strength for me throughout this time."
The University of Fiji graduate said his ultimate aim was to sit on the bench either as a magistrate or a judge.
Mr Reddy was one of 12 graduates admitted to the Bar yesterday.