Bhubaneswar, June 1 -- In a remarkable transition from an unskilled factory labourer to a future administrative officer, 37-year-old Manohar Pradhan scripted an extraordinary success story by securing the 131st rank in the Odisha Civil Services Examination-2024.

The son of a balloon-seller from Sundargarh district, Pradhan overcame years of severe poverty and intense financial hardships to triumph in his third attempt at one of the state's most competitive examinations. He currently serves as a sub-inspector (communication) at the district police office in Rourkela, as reported by the Times Of India.

Born to Mangal and Gura Pradhan in Bagbud village under Bargaon block, Manohar grew up in a six-member household where his father's irregu...