From humble background to an engineer

JHARSUGUDA: Cattle grazer Ashok Rohidas of Tilia village in Lakhanpur Block is a junior engineer (trainee) now. He is the same boy who had stunned many by clearing the Class X with a first division in 2008.  He passed his diploma in electrical engineering from Jharsuguda Engineering School again with a first division. Ashok secured 601 marks out of750.President, Administration and Commercial, Ind Barath Utkal Energy Limited, Muralidhar Mishra said we redeemed our promise of a job to Ashok once he completed his studies.A dropout from Tilia Nodal School, Ashok resumed studies after seven years at Kantatikra Child Labour School in Tilia gram panchayat. He had notched up 48th rank in the Diploma Entrance Examination among SC/ST students.His achievement had the then Collector Debjani Chakraborty extend a financial assistance of ` 1,000 a month from the Red Cross Society to pursue studies at Jharsuguda Engineering School. However, her successor S N Mishra discontinued the stipend leaving Ashok to fend for himself. Being landless, he was left with little option till Good Samaritans stepped in and extended support for his education.However, public outcry forced the district administration to revert its decision. Crossing all hurdles, Ashok passed his Diploma in Engineering and also got a job. He now wants to pursue B Tech alongside.