Bhubaneswar: Visually impaired candidate clears OPSC examination

Emerging as a champion against all odds by clearing the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) examination held in 2015, Sanyasi Behera, a visually-impaired candidate from Bhubaneswar has demonstrated how it is possible to fulfill one's aspirations through dedication and hard work.

He obtained an all Odisha ranking of 220.

Out of the 670 candidates appointed at high posts, seven blind and six deaf were selected.

Expressing content, Behera said he is proud to have crossed all barriers and passed the exam.

"Happy and proud to have crossed all attitudinal and legal barriers to clear such an exam and participate in the decision making process," said Behera.

"My wife and my daughter used to read out for me and I tried to concentrate and listen in order to learn things," he added.

Behera had started preparing for the examination in 2006 with help of his wife and daughter.

In 2011, he filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) at the High Court (HC) of Odisha seeking permission to appear in the examination as a physically disabled candidate.

The court granted him permission to appear in the examination as a blind candidate in 2014.