Odisha: Defeating All Odds, Tribal Girl From The Naxalite-Terror Affected Area Clears State Civil Service Exam

Beating the odds stacked against her, Sandhya Samrath, hailing from the Maoist stronghold of Samili, has secured 91st rank in Odisha Civil Services (OCS) examination in her maiden attempt, reports The New Indian Express. She however, is not content with the achievement, and is now preparing for Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examinations.

Daughter of Ramdeb Samrath, who works as an agriculturist, Sandhya moved to Bhubaneswar to pursue her graduation from BJB Autonomous College after completing Class X and XII from Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya at Malkangiri. She completed her post-graduation in Geography from Ravenshaw University before applying for her MPhil at the same institution.

"If one is determined and has the willpower, nothing can stop him or her from reaching new heights. There is a lot of talent in the remote blocks of Malkangiri. All we need is the right opportunity and appropriate guidance," Samrath commented on her achievement.

According to the report, 106 candidates have successfully cleared the Odisha Civil Services Examination this year. Ayushi Mahapatra, Sanjita Mahapatra and Punam Mahapatra secured the first, second and third ranks respectively with five women figuring in the list of the top 10 successful candidates in the state.