New Delhi: Surendran K Pattel, a 51-year-old man who recently was sworn in as a district judge in Texas said that during his early days he rolled beedis and worked as a housekeeper which pushed him to complete his education and achieve success in the US.
Who is Surendran K Pattel?
Surendran K Pattel, was born in Kerala’s Kasaragod, Surendran. He was drop out in the school and he took up daily wage jobs to earn a living.
While talking to NDTV he said he dropped out of the school after Class 10 because his family he couldn’t continue due to financial issue. He said he rolled beedis for almost a year as a daily wager which changed his perspective on life.
#NDTVExclusive | “I had to drop out of school after Class 10… I rolled ‘beedis’ for a year, did odd jobs; that changed my life perspective”: Indian-origin US District Judge Surendran K Pattel on his journey from rolling ‘beedis’ in Kerala to being a district judge in Texas pic.twitter.com/kHqS4RA12c
— NDTV (@ndtv) January 8, 2023
His friend from the village helped him with the finance for his education including his law degree. While he was studying, he also took up a housekeeping job in a local hotel.
He said after he finished his LLB, and the practice that he got in India helped him survive in the United States. He said he life was not easy even in the US.
He also recalled that when he ran for this position even his party didn’t believe that he can win, Comments were also made on his accent and negative campaigns.
What message he had for everyone?
He said no one believed that he could achieve this, but he is here. He said don’t let anyone decide your future. You should be the one deciding your’s.
#NDTVExclusive | “Don’t let anyone tell you where you should be, you decide your own future, don’t let anyone decide your destiny”: Indian-origin US District Judge Surendran K Pattel on his journey from rolling ‘beedis’ in Kerala to being a district judge in Texas pic.twitter.com/1ZPctJiu2P
— NDTV (@ndtv) January 8, 2023