“A heart that heals is guided not only by knowledge but by kindness.”
Introduction
Every person leaves a trace upon the world, but few leave behind a legacy of compassion that continues to grow long after their work is done. The life of Dr. Balkrishna Sharma Kasseeah is one such story. It is the journey of a man who turned his mother’s pain into his life’s purpose, and who believed that the measure of success lies not in what one gains, but in what one gives. His path from the vibrant streets of Port Louis, Mauritius, to the laboratories and hospitals where he devoted his career, reflects the quiet power of kindness joined with knowledge.
Born to Mr. Luckroo Kasseeah and Mrs Koonabochanum Kasseeah, he entered the world as the first child in a modest but close-knit family. His father, a customer-care officer at Mauritius Telecom, worked tirelessly to provide stability. His mother, an administrator in a textile factory, balanced her duties at work while nurturing her children with love and patience. Her constant health struggles, however, left a lasting mark on young Balkrishna. The regular visits to clinics, the quiet prayers at night, and the long hours at hospitals stirred in him a feeling that would never fade. He began to see medicine not as an abstract science, but as a bridge between suffering and relief, between despair and hope.
From his early school days, Balkrishna was drawn to the mysteries of life that science revealed. Biology, chemistry, and the study of the human body fascinated him. Teachers saw in him not just curiosity but empathy. He was the kind of student who wanted to know why things happened, so he could use that knowledge to help others. His mother’s courage through illness became his motivation, and his father’s discipline shaped his approach to learning.
After completing his secondary education, he made a decision that would define the course of his life. Determined to deepen his understanding of healthcare, he left Mauritius to study in Ukraine, enrolling at the National University of Pharmacy. The decision was bold. Mauritius, surrounded by sunshine and sea, was his home. Ukraine, cold and unfamiliar, was a world of snow, a new language, and a new way of living. Yet Balkrishna carried with him something stronger than fear—a sense of duty.
The first months were difficult. He had to learn Russian to attend his lectures and to communicate with professors and fellow students. Every textbook, every exam, every conversation demanded extra effort. But he refused to give up. With time, he became fluent, not only in language but in confidence. His studies covered pharmacology, pharmacognosy, botany, cosmetology, and industrial technologies, giving him a complete understanding of the science of medicine.
During his years in Ukraine, he met Mrs. Olena Kasseeah, who would later become his wife. She shared his values and his love for the field of pharmacy. Their friendship grew through shared study sessions, quiet perseverance, and mutual encouragement. Together they built dreams rooted in care and purpose.
After earning his Master’s Degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. Balkrishna Sharma Kasseeah returned to Mauritius in 2005 with his wife. His mother’s health had weakened, and his heart longed to be near her. Back home, he began working as a community pharmacist. It was in those years that his education found its true meaning. He interacted directly with patients, listened to their worries, and guided them with sincerity. Each day reminded him why he had chosen this path. Helping others gave him the peace and satisfaction that money could never buy.
“True strength is not found in perfection but in the heart that learns to care.”
Phase 1: Roots of Compassion
The story of Dr. Balkrishna Sharma Kasseeah begins on the gentle island of Mauritius, in the bustling city of Port Louis, where sea winds carry the scent of salt and sugarcane and life moves to the rhythm of warmth and simplicity. It was here that a boy named Balkrishna was born into a home that prized honesty, kindness, and quiet perseverance.
His father, Mr. Luckroo Kasseeah, worked faithfully as a customer-care officer with Mauritius Telecom. He was a man who believed that one’s worth was measured not by possessions but by conduct. Calm and steady, he faced every day with a sense of duty. His words were few yet filled with meaning, teaching his children that responsibility and respect form the backbone of character.
His mother, Mrs Koonabochanum Kasseeah, served as an administrator in a textile factory. She balanced her work with family life, carrying both devotion and burden in equal measure. Her health, however, was fragile. Frequent illnesses, hospital visits, and operations became part of the household rhythm. The image of her resting after long days, still smiling through discomfort, would later remain etched in her son’s heart. Even as a child, Balkrishna understood that courage often speaks softly.
Their home was modest, yet rich with affection. The laughter of children filled the evenings, and the scent of home-cooked food marked each day’s close. They were not wealthy, but there was never a shortage of care. Balkrishna, as the eldest child, felt a sense of quiet responsibility. He watched his father’s discipline and his mother’s grace, learning that strength is not loud but steady.
When his mother fell ill, the family’s routine shifted. Hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies became familiar spaces. Balkrishna would sit beside her bed, sometimes holding her hand while machines hummed softly around them. The worry in his young eyes was mixed with wonder. He noticed the doctors who spoke gently, the nurses who moved with calm precision, and the pharmacists who provided medicine that brought comfort. These moments planted an invisible seed within him—a fascination for the world of healing and a wish to be part of it one day.
At school, he displayed a quiet curiosity. Subjects like biology, chemistry, and science fascinated him. While his classmates chased marks, he sought understanding. He would often linger after lessons, asking teachers to explain how the body fought illness or how a small tablet could relieve pain. His teachers recognised his genuine interest and encouraged him to read more, to think more, and to never lose his sense of wonder.
“The mind learns through study, but the heart learns through experience.”
Phase 2: The First Lessons
The story of Dr. Balkrishna Sharma Kasseeah cannot be told without returning to the quiet strength of his early years—the years that built his foundation of faith, discipline, and empathy. Childhood had already taught him the meaning of compassion. Now came the lessons that would shape his identity as a learner, a dreamer, and later, a healer.
In Port Louis, life moved with gentle rhythm. The mornings began with the golden light of the sun washing over the rooftops, and the sounds of neighbours greeting each other filled the streets. It was a world simple in its beauty and deep in its values. For Balkrishna, this world was both his comfort and his classroom. His home, modest yet warm, was a place where honesty was prized above wealth and humility was considered strength.
His father, Mr. Luckroo Kasseeah, returned home each evening from his work at Mauritius Telecom carrying both tiredness and quiet pride. His profession in customer care was not glamorous, but he performed it with devotion. He believed that every job, no matter how ordinary, carried dignity when done with sincerity. His words were few, yet every word carried weight. When Balkrishna watched his father preparing for work or speaking kindly to neighbours, he began to understand that success was not about position, but about purpose.
His mother, Mrs. Koonaboochanum Kasseeah, continued to be the soul of the household. Her life was a balance between family and health struggles. She worked as an administrator in a textile factory, often returning home exhausted. Still, she never failed to prepare meals, ask about her children’s studies, or offer gentle advice. Her health remained delicate; there were times when illness returned with force, forcing her to spend days in hospital. Yet she never allowed it to weaken her spirit. She faced pain with grace and smiled even when it hurt. This quiet courage became the first mirror in which her son saw the reflection of true strength.
As the eldest child, Balkrishna learnt early to be responsible. When his mother was unwell, he helped his father with small tasks at home, ensuring that his younger brother never felt worried. Those moments nurtured in him a deep sense of care. He did not yet know it, but the compassion that later guided his career as a pharmacist was already being born in those tender, ordinary acts.
School life was a place of discovery. Balkrishna was a thoughtful student, never loud but always attentive. He was fascinated by the natural world and often stayed after class to ask questions. He wanted to know how plants produced medicine, how the human body healed itself, and how chemistry transformed illness into health. His teachers saw in him not just intelligence but sincerity. They trusted him with responsibilities, asked him to help weaker students, and encouraged his curiosity.
“When purpose is born from compassion, every challenge becomes a lesson and every success becomes a service.”
Phase 3: Choosing the Path of Healing
The decision to leave one’s homeland in search of knowledge is never easy, especially when that homeland is as warm and familiar as Mauritius. For Balkrishna Sharma Kasseeah, that moment marked the beginning of a new chapter—a chapter that would define his identity, strengthen his resolve, and lead him towards a life dedicated to healing.
After completing his secondary education, Balkrishna found himself at a crossroad familiar to many young dreamers. He wanted to serve people through the field of healthcare, yet he also wished to expand his learning beyond what was possible within the island. His interest in science, nurtured since childhood, had matured into a clear vision. He wanted to understand how medicine worked, how diseases could be treated, and how human life could be improved through care and knowledge. The thought of becoming a pharmacist filled him with determination.
The more he explored, the more he realised that his aspirations required a broader stage. His search led him to the National University of Pharmacy in Ukraine, a place known for its academic excellence and deep scientific tradition. The course offered a complete approach to pharmacy—covering subjects such as pharmacology, pharmacognosy, botany, industrial technologies, and even cosmetology. It was not limited to the study of medicines but extended into understanding nature, plants, and the human body. This appealed to Balkrishna deeply. He saw it not merely as a professional choice but as an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to society.
His parents, Mr. Luckroo Kasseeah and Mrs. Koonaboochanum Kasseeah, listened with mixed emotions when he shared his decision. His father, proud yet reflective, understood that his son’s path would take him far away from home. His mother, though unwell, smiled through tears. She had always wanted her son to become someone who could help others. Now, she knew that dream was taking form. She held his hand and told him to be strong, to stay humble, and to remember where he came from.
In 1999, the journey began. As the plane left the shores of Mauritius, Balkrishna looked down at the familiar blue waters and green landscapes of the island. He carried with him the love of his parents, the values they had instilled, and the silent promise to make them proud. The unknown awaited him on the other side of the world.
Ukraine was unlike anything he had ever known. The first winter he experienced felt both magical and overwhelming. The cold cut through layers of clothing, the streets were covered with snow, and the language was unfamiliar. For a young man from a tropical country, it was a world completely different from the warmth of Port Louis. Yet, beneath the challenges, there was excitement. The classrooms were filled with eager students from different nations, the professors were knowledgeable and demanding, and the libraries held endless possibilities.
Note of Thanks
A life’s journey is never a solitary one, and Dr. Balkrishna Sharma Kasseeah has always believed that every milestone is made possible through the support and kindness of others. As he looks back on his path, filled with lessons, faith, and gratitude, his heart overflows with appreciation for those who shaped, encouraged, and walked beside him.
He first expresses his deepest gratitude to his beloved parents, Mr. Luckroo Kasseeah and Mrs. Koonaboochanum Kasseeah, whose values of honesty, hard work, and compassion laid the foundation of his character. Their sacrifices and faith became the guiding light of his life. Every success he achieved carries their blessing.
His heartfelt thanks go to his wife, Mrs. Olena Kasseeah, whose quiet strength and unwavering love have been his greatest source of peace. She has stood beside him in every phase, sharing his dreams, supporting his responsibilities, and enriching his life with warmth and patience.
He extends his love to his sons, Daniil Sharma Kasseeah and Molivan Sharma Kasseeah, who continue to inspire him every day. Their curiosity, laughter, and respect remind him of life’s beauty and purpose.
Dr. Kasseeah also expresses his sincere appreciation to his mentor and director, Mr. Pravin Seegobin, whose encouragement and trust allowed him to grow both professionally and personally. His guidance strengthened his resolve to lead with integrity and humility.
He extends his gratitude to his colleagues, friends, and all who stood with him through his professional and humanitarian journey. Their cooperation and respect have been invaluable.
Finally, he thanks the countless people whose lives have touched his own—patients, students, and well-wishers. Each one has left a mark on his heart. To all, he offers a silent prayer of gratitude, for through them, he found meaning, purpose, and peace.
Thank You
Dr. Balkrishna Sharma Kasseeah