THREE iron-willed girls, who clinched the top three positions in the Odisha Civil Services Examination this year, have proved that if determined, nothing can be an obstacle in life. The OAS results were declared on Thursday and Bhubaneswar-based Ayushi Mahapatra has topped the examination while Sanjita Mohapatra and Poonam Mahapatra secured the second and third ranks respectively.
Ayushi has not expected to top the prestigious examination in the first attempt. The 24-year-old girl quit her job at Tata Advanced Systems Limited in Hyderabad to prepare for the civil services last year. A mechanical engineering graduate from CET, Bhubaneswar, Ayushi says even during her engineering days, she was interested in social service which drew her towards both OAS and Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) . "The result was unbelievable to be honest. I had done well in the examination and expected my name in at least the top-20 list but I did not expect rank one," says an elated Ayushi, who pursued her Plus two from BJB Junior College.
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Given an opportunity, she says, she would want to work in education and health sectors. "Because, I think education and health are the two most important needs of people at the grassroots," she says. Sanjita has been a topper all throughout her career. Also a mechanical engineering graduate from CET, she was always keen on joining the administrative service.
After topping graduation and engineering from BJB Autonomous College and CET, respectively, the 27-year-old appeared the OAS exam and bagged the rank at the first attempt. An avid reader, she is currently working as an assistant manager in Rourkela Steel Plant. "Balancing work and education is difficult but I am happy that all the hard work paid off. I never made timetables; I used to study when ever I got time," says Sanjita, who was born and brought up in Rourkela.
Although, she has no particular preferences as far as work areas are concerned, Sanjita says she wants to contribute towards development of KBK region and tribal hinterlands where fruits of development are yet to reach. Poonam, on the other hand, appeared the examination for the second time and bagged the third rank. "From being disqualified to securing the third rank, it took some time for the feeling of achievement to sink in," says Poonam.
The 24-year-old girl first sat for the examination in 2016 and cleared it. She, however, could not qualify the interview. Poonam, who is currently employed with the Canara Bank as a single window operator, put in eight hours of study everyday to clear OAS this time. She started preparing for the examination early last year. She now wants to work for education and empowerment of adolescent girls in tribal pockets of Odisha. "I feel adolescence is the most dynamic phase in one's life and if adolescent girls are given proper education and skill training, they will excel in every field," says Poonam, who completed her post-graduation in Physics from Ravenshaw University last year.
While Ayushi is awaiting the results of this year's UPSC examination that was held in September, Sanjita and Poonam are currently preparing for the prestigious examination. This is the first time that three women bagged the first three positions in the OAS examination. According to reports, of the 106 successful candidates, 42 are women.
