From labourer to lecturer: Kendrapara lad beats all odds to land his dream job

Where there's a will, there's a way. The proverb goes well with Pabitra Sahu, who with his willpower, hard work and sheer determination, has beat all odds and become a lecturer. 

A native of Akhua Odanga village under Marshaghai block in Kendrapara district, Pabitra has successfully cleared the recruitment examination conducted by the State Selection Board (SSB) and selected for the post of lecturer in a government college. 

Sharing the story of his incredible journey, Pabitra recalled how he once worked as a migrant labourer to fund his studies and support his family. 

“My parents did a lot of hard work to fund my primary education. My father worked hard in the farmland and supported my studies till Plus 2. As he expressed his inability to pay further for my studies, I had gone to Chennai in Tamil Nadu and worked as a painter. However, I never gave up the dream of becoming a lecturer and supporting my family,” said Pabitra.

Pabitra completed his matriculation and Plus 2 from Akhua Odang Government High School and Plus 3 from Kendrapara Autonomous College. Later, he moved to Bhubaneswar and got his MA, MPhil and PhD degrees from Utkal University. 

“My husband worked in farmland and as a labourer to maintain our family and support the studies of my son. He would cry when we expressed inability to pay money for his education. I too cried a lot at our helplessness,” recalled Pabitra’s mother Jharana Sahu.  

Kishore Chandra Sahu, father of Pabitra, said “When the result was declared, he came to me and said he has been selected. I was elated and tears of joy rolled down my eyes. We distributed sweets in the village.” 

“My nephew did so much struggle and continued his studies in Bhubaneswar. Our happiness knew no bounds when he shared the good news that he has bagged the job,” Pabitra’s aunt Banita Sahu said. 
 
Reported by Manoj Swain, OTV