Bhubaneswar, Feb. 17: Odisha's senior IAS couple Arvind Padhee and Usha Padhee would probably be very happy that have inspired more to follow in their footsteps and take the plunge into administrative service.
Shibashish Baral and Pallavi Swain, another bureaucrat couple in the making, hope to follow in the footsteps of their predecessors. The husband and wife duo cracked the Odisha Civil Services examinations, the results of which were published yesterday, with flying colours.
Shibashish, 33, has secured 16th position, while women's topper Pallavi, 28, has been ranked third overall.
"They are a power couple and any couple who work together - be it in the administrative of any other field - take inspiration from the two of them. They were one of our main inspirations, not only because of their success as bureaucrats, but also how they manage to run their family despite all the pressures that come with working in the government," Shibashish said about Arvind Padhee and Usha Padhee.
When they tied the knot in 2015, Shibashish was doing research for his PhD thesis at the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal. Following her husband's footsteps, Pallavi, too, applied for PhD at the institute.
Thus, began the veterinary doctor couple's journey towards civil services. "I had got through the civil services earlier in 2011, but gave up on that as I wanted to get my PhD degree first. So, I was acquainted with the exam to some extent. When my wife came here, we began to practice together," said Shibashish.
As they researched for their individual theses, the couple juggled between household chores and civil services preparations. "Both of us shared domestic work, including cooking, cleaning and washing. After working on our PhD, whatever time we had we devoted it to our preparations," said Pallavi.
"I was inspired by my husband. Despite cracking the exam once, he took the risk of completing his degree first. So, I thought of giving it a try, too," she added.
She narrated how her husband played an instrumental role in clearing her doubts. "Both of our subjects were same and it became easier for us to prepare together. He was very helpful and patient with me. Moreover, we are good friends and the sessions were fun," she said.
Two months ago, Pallavi was selected as a government veterinary doctor, although she said that working in the bureaucracy was her ambition.
Both the husband and wife duo would prefer to work in rural areas.
"We have grown up in the rural hamlets of the state and are aware of the various problems that people have been facing in such areas for years. So, we would like to contribute as little as we possibly can in uplifting their lives," said the gushing husband.
All they want to do now is spend some quality time with each other.
"The last few years have been very hectic. Since our marriage, we have been put all our focus and energy into this and did not get time to know about our creative pursuits. We want to take a long break now," said Pallavi.
They also hope that they get to work near each other. "I wish we get posted in the same area, so that we can be together," said Pallavi with her fingers crossed.
