Noble pursuits

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By SANGEETHA NAIR
Photo by KEVIN TAN

sangeetha@thestar.com.my 

It was Shreejeiyalachmee Appadorai’s ambition to become a lawyer ever since she was a child but it was only a matter of time before she realised that there were bigger things coming her way. The Miss Malaysia India Worldwide 2000 speaks about her career as a financial consultant and her passion for human rights. 

STANDING behind her desk in a humble office at the Crown Regency Apartments in Jalan P. Ramlee, Kuala Lumpur, a lanky lady in a white long-sleeved shirt and short black skirt is carefully packing her robe into a paper bag.  

Anyone who does not know Shreejeiyalachmee Appadorai would probably think that she is a lawyer getting ready for a court hearing. As she is packing her things, she laughs at life’s irony. 

“You know it's really funny. I bought this robe even before I was called to the Bar. I was so excited about wearing it and about practising law. But now I am wearing it for a photoshoot,” says the 28-year-old financial consultant.  

Shreejeiyalachmee graduated with an LLB (Hons) degree from University of London before she started working as an investment consultant with a bank two years ago.  

“I wanted to support myself whilst studying for the Bar as I believed it was my responsibility. I stopped in between to complete my Certificate in Legal Practice and to be called to the Bar.  

Upholding justice: Shreejeiyalachmee still keeps in touch with the Legal Aid Centre.

She is now a licensed financial consultant with Pyro Financial Designers.  

“My job as a financial consultant is to create a personalised financial portfolio for my clients that encompasses wealth protection, wealth management and wealth accumulation.  

“A lot of people live their lives without a proper financial goal. They have not thought about retirement, whether they will be in a position to choose not to work, and at what age they would choose to retire. Many think they would not have a choice. The truth is, they do, but planning starts today.  

“I guess it’s not by chance that I stumbled upon the same career opportunity twice. The finance line has always been of interest to me while studying law because as a law student, you tend to feel a little under-informed in the field.  

“I wanted to understand the mechanics of investment so I could apply the skills for my own investments. It soon turned into a career opportunity. When I joined the bank, I was the only recruit with a legal background, but I was picked because I believe my superiors saw my determination.  

“I don’t believe in limiting myself career-wise. If a good opportunity in another field arises, there is always a way to marry the two,” she says.  

That aside, Shreejeiyalachmee has not detached herself from the legal fraternity.  

“My love for Law will never die. I’m still in touch with the Legal Aid Centre, where my involvement started during my chambering period,” she said. 

Back then, she had signed up for dock-brief where she had the opportunity to represented inmates in court to help mitigate their sentences.  

“This requires me to interview the prisoners before they are brought to court. This experience can come with a lot of mixed feelings as I would be going into the depth of their psychological state and try to understand why they committed the crimes in the first place,” she says.  

She adds that there is an overwhelming number of people in the rural areas who have simple but unanswered questions about their legal rights in various issues, for example, those pertaining to the Industrial and Labour laws of the country.  

“My aim is to help such people by offering my services for free. Being a lawyer is a noble profession. To fight for peoples’ rights and uphold justice is what I believe in but I felt that there is just far too much creative juices in me to limit myself to a nine-to-five job (practising law). There are other ways to do justice to my long, hard and laborious years invested into getting a legal qualification.  

“And I got put off seeing people turn the profession into a business, though not all lawyers are like that,” she says. 

Shreejeiyalachmee says her weekends are mostly spent attending seminars.  

“Work is just getting more exciting and challenging. It’s all about making the right choices and time management.  

“If I really feel the need for a break, I’ll either just drive down to Port Dickson with my friends, immerse myself in a good book (I love reading self-development books. I am currently reading The Secret), hang out with my mum in the kitchen and clean the house with her or get a real good DVD and immerse myself in it over a good cup of hot choc. 

“I also love to dance either when I’m out with friends or in my room, fantasising that I am the star of the video clip which is better than the original!” she says, bursting into laughter.  

Aside from that, Shreejeiyalachmee makes it a point to visit her favourite French Spa at least once a month.  

“I love the lavender massage. While letting the oils set in, my friends and I mingle in the French room while enjoying a cup of hot tea. Sounds glamorous but it's really affordable! Of course, that's after I’ve soaked in the Jacuzzi for 30 minutes.”  

She says women who are stressed out from work need to relax more to be able to give more of themselves to people around them.  

She also goes to the gym at least three times a week.  

“I do not find it strenuous at all. I believe we need to listen to our body and only do as much as our body can take. I swear by cardio workouts,” she says. 

On celebrating Deepavali, Sreejeiyalachmee says it would be a grand affair for her family just like every other year.  

“We wake up as early as 6am in the morning and everyone in the family would have a traditional oil bath. Then mum would draw her spectacular Kolam design with coloured chalk in front of the house. There will be oil lamps everywhere.  

“We would then sit and have a traditional Indian breakfast together. Mum usually makes Upumma, tosai, iddli or anything traditional. My mum is from India so the Indian culture is deeply embedded in our family,” she says.  

Shreejeiyalachmee is looking forward to savouring her mother’s famous Chicken Briyani and Prawn Parettal.  

“In the afternoon we would normally have an open house and have friends and family over. We would all dress up for Deepavali. Mum is very particular about everyone looking good and wearing everything new from head to foot,” she says.