M. Rajesh Badur being kissed by his mother, Puthali Karan Bahadur, after the Unitar

convocation ceremony yesterday. With them are his wife, Kala Baliram (carrying their

child) and other family members.

Nepal Prides!!

http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/news_result?

src_term=nepalese&x=12&y=11
PUTRAJAYA: M. Rajesh shed tears of joy yesterday as he received his Master's degree

in business administration.

The 34-year-old engineer, who is the first Malaysian Gurkha to receive a Master's

degree from a local university, said he would not be where he is today without the

support of his family.

He was joined by 20 relatives at the Universiti Tun Abdul Razak (Unitar) convocation

ceremony.

"I am honoured and proud. It was not easy coming from a community stereotyped as

security guards or bodyguards," said the father of one. "I would like to become a role

model for the community."

"Education is the only way the Malaysian Nepalese can improve their standard of

living and contribute to the nation."

Asked what the future held for him, Rajesh said he planned to begin working on a

doctorate in education soon.

Rajesh, a Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) graduate, worked for more than six years

as a quality control manager before deciding to pursue his Master's degree.

His mother, Puthali Karan Bahadur, said: "I wish his father was here to witness the

ceremony. He died 10 years ago, soon after Rajesh obtained entry into USM."

His 19-year-old niece, Seneeta Shangkar Bahadur said: "I wish I could be like my

uncle. He has motivated me to work harder."

She is pursuing a foundation course in management at Unitar and plans to pursue a

career in education.

Rajesh was one of 2,019 Unitar graduates who received their scrolls at the university's

seventh convocation at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre.

The scrolls were presented by the university's chancellor, Tun Rahah Mohd Noah,

wife of the late prime minister Tun Abdul Razak, and pro-chancellor Tan Sri Ahmad

Sarji Abdul Hamid.