By: Amrita Rani Sahoo
As the whole world is celebrating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, (3rd December),there are few people who have set an example for others by becoming successful in life by challenging all the hurdles of life.
One such example is Sushree Sangita Mohapatra,a 27 years old visually impaired girl,who bacame an inspiration for other differently abled people,particularly women for leading a solemnly life.
Sushree Sangita Mohapatra, a Bank Officer working in Canara Bank,Bhubaneswar is a visually challenged girl,born on May 13,1990 to Parikhita Mohapatra (Divisional Accountant in Seed Corporation of India) and Binodini Mohapatra (housewife). She completed her primary education in Physically Handicapped School for the Blind,Bargarh and High School education in Red Cross School for the Blind,Berhampur. She studied her intermediate course in the Khalikote College and also the Bachelors Degree from the same college and Master’s in economic from the Berhampur University. She stood first in P.G.Economics and awarded with a gold medal in 2014.
Sushree faced various problems in getting her study materials in Braille script and audio format as she studied economics as her master’s degree course. There was a structure by the University only to take one person as a writer in all four semesters at the PG level which became an issue to overcome. The symbol like lambda, delta,sigma etc which were being difficult to be detected by the scribe at the time of examination while she was appearing in a special paper like financial institution,money banking,economics on mathematical economics. The University authority abused Sushree in a very rough language instead of addressing her examination grievances. She faces difficulties of attitudinal barriers on account of her blindness. She has silently tolerated all the issues and learnt to work hard and never to give up on her difficulties which helps her to succeed.
“While I was selected in All India Radio musical audition, my grandfather died. When I got selected as a clerk in Syndicate Bank, I lost my beloved uncle who was my source of encouragement. But while I was declared topper in the University at the end of my P.G in Economics,that was really my happiest moment in life.”, said Sushree.
She joined as a clerical staff in Syndicate Bank,Golabandha village of Ganjam District in 2013. Later ,she joined as a P.O in Canara Bank circle office ,Bhubaneswar.
Sushree is a very hard working lady,she joins the bank at 10 a.m and performs her duties till 6:30 p.m as normal persona daily. As a Bank Officer,she prepares data for the visitor interface, creates the PPF password,updates the signature scanning, de-duplication,beneficiary owners and other activities relating to know your customer (KYC). Every month she submits the same to the head office and after approval of senior officer of the bank, she also undertakes various miscellaneous work under the instructions of the section head .
“At the initial stage,I have faced some difficulties from co-employees on account of my blindness . I silently tolerated the happenings and instead of getting harassed, I tried to learn from them”, said Sushree.
Sushree likes cooking, singing, gardening and playing. She is a very simple and a loving girl.
She has an ambition to join RBI in future. She also mentioned that the Universal Scribe Policy should be adopted to protect the interest of the visually impaired candidates. She also wants freedom of visually impaired fraternity without being much dependent and undue sympathy which will influence their self respect to establish them as an active citizen.
Sushree thanked four persons who became inspiration for her to overcome all the hurdles in life and inspired her a lot to become successful Bank Officer. They are the teachers of Red Cross School for the Blind,Berhampur,M.D.Dandapani Rao and Nabir Satapathy for their supportive encouragement and caring attachments; Sarita Bhibhar,the Professor of History in Khalikote College,whose soft words gave peace to the mind and serviceable attitude inspired to progress a lot. And last but not the least ,Jitendra Kumar Sahoo,the senior manager of Canara Bank,who is a positive role model for Sushree.
Above all ,Sushree is a good braille writer as well as she has good computer skills. According to her, the broad mindset of her grandfather,Benudhar Mohapatra and support rendered by her parents helped her a lot to overcome all challenges and became a successful lady despite of her blindness. She is the ray of hope ,inspiration and blessing for all people with disabilities ,specially for women. My heartfelt salute to her dedication and struggle.
By: Amrita Rani Sahoo
Student Volunteer (Sarini Ladhei)
Salaam Jeevan (Trust)
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