Visually challenged candidate Mahes Panda cracks Odisha civil service exam 2023

A 32-year-old visually challenged teacher Mahes Panda qualified the Odisha Civil Services (OCS) exam and secured the 300th rank in his third attempt. Hailing from Jaipur district, Bada Biruhan village in Korei block Panda has been serving as an Odia teacher at Adarsha Vidyalaya in Kuleilo in Cuttack district's Athagarh since 2016.

Born visually impaired, Panda was the youngest of five siblings in a modest household, where his father supported the family of seven through farming. His father Laxmi Narayan said: "Despite the best treatment and visits to several hospitals, doctors could not restore his vision. Finally, we left it to fate."

Speaking about managing his teaching job alongside civil services preparation, Panda said: "Days were for teaching students, nights for self-study. With technology, learning has become much easier for the visually challenged."

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Visually challenged qualifies OCS 2023 exam

Panda completed his matriculation at the School for the Blind in Nuapada in 2009. He later went for graduation at Ravenshaw University. He pursued his Bachelor of Education (BEd) from the Central University in Koraput and completed his postgraduation in Odia from Utkal University.

However, after his schooling, he faced financial difficulties, but two local well-wishers stepped in to help. His higher education was supported by Yuga Nirman Vidya Parishad and Gayatri Mission in Cuttack.

Overjoyed by his success, he expressed gratitude to his family and friends for their support. "I will dedicate my life to the welfare of the state," he said.

The results of the Odisha Civil Services (OCS) examination, 2023, were declared on Friday, with 398 candidates qualifying, of whom 144 were women. The main exam was conducted from April 19 to May 15, and the personality test was held from September 6 to 18.