Odisha’s Lanjigarh Celebrates Indigenous Peoples Day As It Gets Its First OAS Officer

Bhawanipatna: Tribals of Lanjigarh block in Odisha’s Kalahandi district had an unforgettable day on Wednesday as they observed the World Tribal Day simultaneously with another good news.

A tribal community member Sanatan Majhi has cleared Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) exam securing 379 rank.

“Never before any Schedule Tribe (ST) had made it into OAS from Lanjigarh block. Though the block is still backward, we are proud that a tribal youth has tasted success which will give confidence to others,” said former Lanjigarh MLA Balabhadra Majhi.

Born in 1996, Sanatan cleared the OAS in the third attempt. He belongs to kutia community and hails from Tentulipanga village where 44 ST families reside.

Sanatan’s father Kuja Majhi, who earns from cultivation, is happy to see his son as an OAS. Mother Kamli Majhi says her son always wanted to be a government officer.

After completing primary education in village school, Sanatan went to KISS, Bhubaneswar for high school, college education and completed graduation.

Thereafter he worked with a software company for two years and later worked as a Revenue Inspector (RI) for one year in Kalahandi’s Golamunda block.

However, he was interested to go for administrative service where parents and family members always supported him. Now he dreams for developing the remote pockets.

“It’s the blessings of my family that I cleared the OAS exam and my focus will remain on advanced education to the kids who still needs in the village area. Apart from that I would focus on other basic amenities.” said Sanatan.

His school teacher, Manoj Kumar Dhangadamajhi said Sanatan always focused on learning for which he succeeded as OAS.

On the occasion of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, the villagers greeted him with flowers and drumbeats and a welcome meeting was organised in the village.