From Beedi Factory Worker In Kerala To Judge In USA: Inspirational Journey Of Surendran K Pattel

Life will always throw challenges your way but what matters is how you come out of it. People who have fought it all and reached the top are always an inspiration to many. One such person is Surendran K Pattel — the 240th Judicial District Court judge in Texas’ Fort Bend County.An Indian by origin, Pattel hails from a remote village in Kerala called Balal and had to face a lot of challenges since childhood. And, from there, he became a history-making candidate. In this interview with Rintu Mariam Biju, Senior Correspondent, LiveLaw, Pattel reveals exclusive details regarding his childhood, his entry into the legal profession, and aspects regarding his latest achievement. Exceptional would be an understatement to describe your journey so far, sir. Can you share with our readers what your childhood was like? I think every journey would have its ups and downs. In my case, the challenges began since childhood and some of them continue, even today. I was born and raised in a remote village called Balal in Kasaragod, Kerala. I went to a poorly conditioned High School from grades 1 to 10. When I visited that school last month, I was able to note that the condition of the school remains the same, more or less. During my time, families from any background would send their children there but now, it has become a school for children from financially poor families. I had 5 siblings. We lost my eldest sister when I was 13 years. That was a shock and still haunts me. I believe that justice was not served in that matter. At that time, I had no idea about my future. Time would tell that this incident became one of the key reasons for my decision to become an attorney. My parents were daily wage workers. My deceased sister and other sister were involved in rolling beedis as part of their work. I started helping my sister when I was in grade 9. During the mornings, I helped around in a nearby grocery store and at nights, I engaged in beedi-rolling. My parents never expected anything from me; they never compelled me to go to a particular school or to prepare for exams. Because they didn't know what to expect as they were illiterate. Sir, were you always academically oriented? I am told that you graduated at the top of your class in college. I was average or maybe, below average during my high school days mostly because I was unable to prepare for my exams. I tried to work and help out my family. I wasn't very focused on my education. But we had a very dedicated set of teachers who encouraged everybody. They are the reason I passed SSLC in 1985. Then I was forced to discontinue my education and I had to work full-time. That year gave me a fresh outlook regarding my life and future. I decided to continue my education and did my pre-degree in government KR Narayanan Memorial College. To advance a career in law, I thought that political science would be the best course to do back then. Looking back, that doesn't make any sense now. Staying at a relative's place, I had to work and study during this time. My professor was reluctant to let me write the semester exams owing to my low attendance. I asked him for one chance without giving any reason for my absence because I didn't want any sympathy. Finally, the Head of the Department allowed me to appear for the exams. I ended up topping it. Did you always have a passion for law or was it something that realized as you grew up? How were your law school days? A few friends and members of the Hosdurga Bar helped me financially during the first year of LLB. But I didn't want to continue that way and therefore, took up a job at a very famous hotel as a housekeeping boy. That solved my financial problems. One of the challenges for me was attending the classes physically. As you are aware, the classes were from 10-4 and I had to work from 2-11. I couldn't attend any classes after 1 pm. But then, I was able to learn by myself and I graduated with a relatively good score. What was your career like, in India? After graduation, I enrolled as a lawyer and started practicing as an advocate with the Hosur Bar. I joined the office of Adv. P Appukuttan. In those days you never got much work from a senior. In my case, even though the money wasn't very promising, the work was. I was appointed as a legal aid counsel in a case and I was conducting a trial during the same. After my cross-examination, I saw my senior sitting at the back! Since that day, I started getting a lot more work from the civil side. Six months later, I was able to handle almost all civil cases in the office. My senior instilled that confidence in me. I was there for ten years and that experience was very instrumental in all my future endeavors. After I got married, my wife got a placement in Escorts Hospital, Delhi. Eventually, I had to move there when we were expecting our first child. I had no other choice but to leave my successful practice behind and move to Delhi. It was a struggling period there. Fortunately, I met a former...

From Beedi Factory Worker In Kerala To Judge In USA: Inspirational Journey Of Surendran K Pattel

Rintu Mariam Biju

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