In Odisha's Ganjam district, two candidates from humble backgrounds have succeeded in the state civil services examination, results of which were announced recently. T Narasingha Patro, son of farmer T Krushna Chandra Patro from Gosaninuagaon in Berhampur city, secured the 24th rank in the exam. Kanhu Charan Behera, whose father Kali Charan is a fisherman from the Sorada area, cleared the exam with the 56th rank in the general category.
Patro, who currently works as a teacher at a government high school in Panchama, had failed three times before this success. He stated that despite repeated failures, he never gave up hope. Behera also faced three unsuccessful attempts; his father, who earned a living through fishing, wanted him to take any available job to support the family due to irregular income.
To assist his family, Behera began tutoring high school students in a small room in Sorada. He used the earnings from coaching to cover his own exam preparation expenses and also contributed to household management. Behera noted that teaching others helped him maintain his own studies and preparation for competitive exams. He relied solely on self-study through the internet and social media, attributing his success to strong determination, hard work, and his parents' blessings.
In a related development, Itishree Jena, a 25-year-old unmarried woman from Aska town, was overwhelmed after learning she secured the 10th rank in the same examination. She described it as a dream come true, having cleared the exam on her second attempt without enrolling in any coaching institute. Jena prepared independently using the internet.
Jena faced additional challenges during her preparation. Before the main exam held in January-February, her father Prakash Chandra Jena, a small businessman, was hospitalized due to illness. Since no other family member was available, she and her mother took care of him. Her brother, who serves in the Indian Navy, was stationed outside the state.
The success of these candidates highlights the role of perseverance and self-directed learning in achieving competitive exam goals. Their stories serve as examples for students from similar backgrounds across the state.
