Valdeen Shears-Neptune
Rhesia Heeralal, the daughter of photojournalist Ramdeo Heeralal, who survived a fire at their Cunupia home in August, graduated with distinction yesterday from the University of the West Indies.
Her younger sister, Rheia, 24, perished in that fire due to smoke inhalation.
Rhesia, who was accompanied by her father and mother, Nardaroon, received a diploma in education during UWI’s three-day graduation ceremony at UWI Spec, St Augustine.
Yesterday, during a telephone interview, Rhesia said she surprised herself with the strength she was able to muster throughout the ceremony. It was a difficult, but joyous event, she said, because her sister was so supportive of her.
“I remember her substituting for me at my private classes (English) while I was pursuing this programme. She was just always there for me, so it was a bit sad not having her here but I knew I made her proud,” she said.
An emotional Heeralal, also, recalled how selfless his daughter was, awaiting his return each night regardless of the hour and assisting him with his work.
He lamented, though, not being there for her more as a father, due to his many commitments as a freelancer. Heeralal, who works for every local television station and several radio and online organisations, said her death has shifted his priorities.
He is now more focused on being there for special events in both his daughter’s and wife’s lives.
“I know the time I lost cannot be made up for, but I know now I have to place them before everything and make me being there for events a more important aspect of our lives,” he stated.
Heeralal recalled being at Rheia’s graduation from UWI two years ago, but on the job. Nardaroon, however, said while she understood how he felt, she could not have asked for a more supportive father of her children.
She said she was proud that although Rheia was not there physically, she had been so instrumental in her sister’s successes.
Rheia was a teacher at the Jerningham Primary School. She graduated in 2008 with a bachelor’s in humanities and education and had just been accepted at UWI to pursue her master’s in English literature.
The blaze also left Heeralal hospitalised after he suffered severe burns about his face, arms and back, while attempting to rescue his trapped younger daughter.