The son of nurse, Jacintha Saldhana, who took her own life in 2012 following a prank call made by Australian radio hosts, Mel Greig, and Michael Christian, has spoken of the joy his mother would have felt at the completion of his A-levels.

Speaking to the Sunday Telegraph, 19-year-old Junal Barboza, who secured a place in university where he plans to study architecture, said he knows his efforts will in some way be appreciated by his late mum.

Commenting on his incredible achievement, Junal said: "As my mum would, I set high standards for myself to strive for the best. I hope she would be very proud."

Reflecting on the impact his mother's tragic passing had on himself, his father and sister during a memorial service, Junal said: "We are shattered and there is an unfillable void in our lives."
 


Junal, who says he and his sister helped each other navigate daily life in the wake of their mother's highly-publicised passing three years ago, sasys he hopes he has inherited some of her creativity.

With a nod to his chosen university course, Junal said: "She was the designer of the family and the artist as well. She would always help me with my drawing and I hope I have inherited a bit of that."

Junal, who was awarded student of the year in his secondary school,  will take his place in Newcastle's Northumbria University next month.

Wishing him and his family all the best for the future.

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