Overview

• Mahes (Mahesh) Panda, 32, cleared the exam on his third attempt after lifelong visual impairment.
• He has taught Odia at Adarsha Vidyalaya in Kuleilo, Athagarh, since 2016.
• His education spanned the School for the Blind in Nuapada, Ravenshaw University, a B.Ed from the Central University of Koraput, and a postgraduate degree in Odia from Utkal University.
• Two local benefactors with Yuga Nirman Vidya Parishad and Gayatri Mission in Cuttack financed his higher studies.
• He studied at night and taught by day, credited technology for accessibility, and vowed to serve Odisha; OCS 2023 named 398 qualifiers when results were released Friday.