Dil-E-Nadan G3 member wins open maths schol

THIRD generation (G3) entertainer Varun Ramnarine has given credence to the long-held belief that music increases one’s cognitive abilities in subjects such as mathematics and science.

Ramnarine, a first-year mechanical engineering student at UWI, St Augustine, was among one of the 100 national scholarship winners announced on Thursday.

He captured an open mathematics scholarship, one of the ten (five open and five additional) awarded to his alma mater, Naparima College, San Fernando.

Ramnarine was born into music, as his father Raymond is the lead singer of the family band Dil-E-Nadan. He and his younger brother Vinesh and cousins make up G3, the third-generation musicians and singers, and have been performing from a very young age.

However, his mother Niala said he is so dedicated and committed that he kept his focus on his studies, no matter what was going on around him.

“He found a way to holistically develop himself. From day one, he has been an excellent child, excelling academically.”

She said while a scholarship was not unexpected, “I was elated to get this news.”

Raymond said he just clasped his hands in prayers and gave God thanks.

“He is such a loving kid. I thank God for having two boys who are so respectful, full of love, disciplined and obedient, especially in a society where there is so much madness.”

Only the day before the announcement was made, Ramnarine celebrated his 20th birthday, “So it’s a double celebration. I am just so happy. The wifey started to cry because she knew how hard the kid worked and her mother, who always had high expectations for her first grandchild, died recently.

“At one point I was a little discouraged when government announced they were cutting down on the number of scholarships to 100, but Varun gave us hope. He said, ‘Mom and Dad, don’t worry, scholarship or no scholarship, I am doing my thing.'”

He said while they were celebrating, his son just kept his cool, continuing his online classes.

Ramnarine said the reality has not yet set in.

“I am not really an emotional person, so I did not really express it that much, but I was proud.

“It’s not that I did not expect it, based on my grades, but there was a lot of competition. Given the reduction in the number of scholarships, there was always the chance that I would not win one.

“I am just grateful and thankful for the opportunity to win an open scholarship and to further my studies in the best way possible.”

He said he will continue his degree at UWI, as registration for programmes at foreign universities has closed off for this year.

The talented singer said music will always be a part of his life, but his workload is so heavy at present he will have to find a way to factor it in.