Sishir Kumar Pradhan with his mother at Niginipur village in Kendrapara. Telegraph picture

Paradip, March 11: An Odia boy from humble and impoverished background has got into the Indian Engineering Service (IES), overcoming poverty.

A marginal farmer’s son Sishir Kumar Pradhan from Niginipur village at Pattamundai block in Kendrapara district has made the cut, notching up the IES job.

While Sishir’s parents and siblings are overjoyed as the news of success reached, residents of the remote village are also visibly excited.

“There is no shortcut to success. Where there is a will, opportunities would galore regardless of constraints and stumbling blocks,” Sishir said over phone.

“I have seen trials and tribulations in life since my childhood. My father is a small and marginal farmer. With great hardship, he provided me the monetary support for studies. I didn’t let him down. My perseverance, parental support, besides divine blessings, helped me come out successful in the IES,” he said.

“I am a farmer and my income was limited. I own 1.5 acre. Sishir had always been brilliant in studies. He passed HSC examination from Nrusinghjew High School of the village. Then he pursued science in Plus Two from Kendrapara autonomous college. Later, he made it to the prestigious National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, and graduated in electrical engineering. At present, he is studying MTech in NIT, Bhopal,” said a delighted Babaji Charana Pradhan, Sishir’s father.

“At 25, he has achieved what millions of his age can only dream about. His brilliant achievement has left millions of English-medium students way behind with his success,” said Binod Kumar Pradhan, a teacher of Nrusinghjew High School.

“Nowadays, almost all aspirants of good job attend coaching classes and pay hefty amount. But, he never admitted himself at any private coaching institute. It is also a myth that only English medium students will get the coveted job,” said Binod.

“I am now pursuing MTech in renewable energy at NIT, Bhopal. Rural India cannot prosper with the expensive and unreliable power grid. Only renewable energy can accelerate rural economy for both economic independence and sustainable development without any need for long-term subsidies. I took keen interest on renewable energy as I have seen many villages without electricity and solar light can solve their problems,” said Sishir, who today arrived at his village.