What a better way to showcase this young man's achievement to the world?

A life marked by hardship, the loss of a father at a young age, and the weight of early responsibility never once became a reason for Sathis Rajendran, 24, to give up. Instead, these challenges became the driving force that pushed him to earn his Bachelor of Consumer Studies with Honours from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM).

The youngest child from a modest family, Sathis works as a Product Executive at Maybank, but the path that led him there began with a sincere curiosity about how people make decisions.

“I chose Consumer Studies because I’ve always been interested in how people think, how markets function, and how these decisions shape society,” he said. “This field is a valuable foundation for understanding business, marketing, and socio-economic issues. Consumer knowledge helps create a more informed society.”

But behind this academic achievement lies a story of quiet struggle. Sathis was only seven when he lost his father in 2008, a loss that transformed his life overnight. His mother and brother shouldered the family’s survival, and at an age when most children played freely, Sathis found himself growing up too soon.

“I didn’t get to enjoy childhood like others. But that experience made me more mature, more responsible, and more appreciative of my family,” he shared.

His mother, Kalaivani Doraisamy became the anchor of the household, walking to work every day, through heat and rain, without ever complaining. Sathis remembers watching her return home drenched or drained yet still carrying on.

“Every time I saw my mother coming home soaked or exhausted, my heart ached. That was when I decided I must buy her a car,” he recalled.

Determined to ease her burdens, Sathis started a small biryani business during the COVID-19 pandemic. What began as a way to support the family soon became the source of a proud, life-changing moment.

“I bought a car for my mother with the income from my briyani business. That moment gave me confidence that I could help my family and support our household,” he said.

For Sathis, success has never been simply about titles or wealth. Instead, it is rooted in purpose.

“Success is when we’re in a position to give back,” he explained. “It’s about using what we’ve learned to help society and make a difference, even if it’s a small one.”

From a young boy forced to grow up too soon to a graduate determined to build a better life, Sathis fulfilled as a child’s promise to his mother.

Source / Image Credit : UPM.EDU