Angul: Determination and persistent efforts have helped a man tide over the odds in life. Ashis Kumar Samal, lecturer in Oriya in Angul Government (Autonomous) College, has overcome disability and become an example for others to emulate by virtue of sheer grit.
Despite being visually impaired, he has been spreading the light of knowledge for over 10 years, earning the respect of students and appreciation of colleagues.
Samal, a native of Gandikipur village under Kujang block in Jagatsinghpur district, was like any other normal boy. He was good at studies and equally skillful in sports. After completing studies in the village primary school he went on to study in Raghunath High School as his village had no facility for further education.
Samal was in Class VIII when one day fate turned cruel to him and snatched away his vision forever. He was returning home that day when a thunderstorm lashed the area forcing him and his friends to take shelter inside a roadside hume pipe.
Rainwater entered the pipe and suddenly some water entered into his eyes. Samal returned home after the rain stopped but was affected by fever. He was bed-ridden and soon realised that he lost his vision. His family consulted several doctors, but none was able to restore his sight.
Samal, however, did not give up and secured first division in HSC examinations by studying in Braille.
Subsequently, he passed Plus II and Plus III (Arts) from Ravenshaw University (then Ravenshaw College), followed by Post Graduation in Oriya from Utkal University.
After clearing OPSC examinations, Samal was appointed as a lecturer in 2005. His family of four comprising wife Nilima, daughter Aradhya and son Aditya has been a pillar of support to him and always stood by him.
Nilima, an MA in Sociology from Ravenshaw, always drops him and picks him back from the college on her scooter. PNN
