TRINITY College student Damian Pisano was “honoured” to meet Saroo Brierley, whose life story inspired Academy Award-nominated film Lion.
Brierley was separated from his family in India at five years old in 1986 when he was trapped on a moving train.
He was taken off the streets and put in an orphanage then adopted by Tasmanian couple Sue and John Brierley.
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READ NOWAfter 25 years, he tracked his birth mother down using Google Earth.
Brierley shared his life story as the keynote speaker for the 2017 MercyCare Oration on September 21 and seven students met with him.
Damian said he was mostly inspired by Brierley’s never give up attitude.
“After listening to Saroo’s inspirational and moving story, it was an honour to finally meet him as well as being lucky enough to talk to him in person,” he said.
“The part of Saroo’s speech that inspired me most was when he described how he didn’t and wouldn’t give up, despite everyone around him saying there was no chance he would find his family.
“As Saroo described, it was like finding a needle in a haystack, yet his grit, hard work and determination was incredible.”
Lion received six Academy Award nominations this year, including Best Film and Best Supporting Actress for Nicole Kidman who played Sue Brierley.
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