Determination, hard work, and perseverance have transformed the life of Manohar Pradhan, who once sold balloons alongside his father to support his family and has now secured the 131st rank in the Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) examination.Sambad English ico.From Selling Balloons to Becoming OAS Officer: The Inspiring Journey of Manohar Pradha Determination, hard work, and perseverance have transformed the life of Manohar Pradhan, who once sold balloons alongside his father to support his family and has now secured the 131st rank in the Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) examinationFrom Selling Balloons to Becoming OAS Officer: The Inspiring Journey of Manohar Pradha .Bhubaneswar: Determination, hard work, and perseverance have transformed the life of Manohar Pradhan, who once sold balloons alongside his father to support his family and has now secured the 131st rank in the Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) examination.A native of Bagbud village in Bargaon block of Sundargarh district, Manohar’s success story is a remarkable example of overcoming poverty and adversity through dedication and discipline.Born into a financially struggling family, Manohar is the eldest among three siblings. His father, Mangal Pradhan, earned a living by selling balloons, while his mother, Gur Pradhan, is a homemaker. The family’s limited income was barely sufficient to support its five members, forcing Manohar to assist his father in selling balloons from an early age.Despite financial hardships, he continued his education and completed Plus Two in 2006. However, worsening financial conditions compelled him to work as a contract labourer at a steel plant in Jharsuguda for a year.Determined to pursue a better future, Manohar enrolled in teacher training at an institute in Titilagarh from 2007 to 2009. During this period, he supported both his education and family expenses by giving private tuition classes.In 2010, he joined the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and was posted in Gujarat. After serving for three years, he joined the Signal Wing of Odisha Police in 2013. Currently, he serves as a Sub-Inspector in the Communication Department at the Rourkela Police District Headquarters.Manohar developed an interest in the Odisha Civil Services examination in 2020. While continuing his police duties, he pursued online coaching and devoted nearly five hours daily to preparation after work.His first attempt in 2022 was unsuccessful. In 2023, he reached the interview stage but could not secure a final selection. Undeterred, he continued his efforts and finally achieved success in his third attempt in 2024 by securing the 131st rank in the OAS examination.Reflecting on his journey, Manohar said he had faced numerous challenges in life, from selling balloons in villages to giving tuition classes to continue his studies. He emphasised that disciplined study and consistent effort are the keys to success. He also urged young people to make constructive use of digital media rather than misusing it.“Poverty can never become a barrier to talent,” he said, adding that he hopes to dedicate himself to the service of poor and underprivileged people in the future.
From Selling Balloons to Becoming OAS Officer: The Inspiring Journey of Manohar Pradhan
