Jeypore: In a heartwarming tale of determination and hard-work, three siblings from a modest household in Jeypore have brought immense pride to undivided Koraput district by clearing the prestigious Odisha Civil Services (OCS) examination in successive years.
The latest success story belongs to Swadhin Hikka, who secured the 146th rank in the recently declared OCS results. This achievement is even more special as Swadhin had failed in the main examination last year but came back stronger this time through relentless hard work.
Swadhin, the elder son of Uma Maheshwari Hikka, a peon (Class-IV employee) in Jeypore block office, studied 10 to 12 hours daily. Despite pursuing a B.Ed course, he left it midway to focus completely on civil services preparation.
Notably, he prepared largely through self-study without joining any professional coaching institute. His success completes an inspiring chapter for the Hikka family. His elder sister, Rameswari Hikka, cleared the OCS in 2023 and is currently serving as Assistant Labour Officer in Kundura Block. His younger brother, Santhosh Hikka, cleared the examination in 2025 and is now working as Tourism Officer in Gajapati district.
All three siblings completed their graduation with English Honours from Bikramdev University. While Rameswari and Santhosh pursued post-graduation in English, Swadhin chose to focus on civil services preparation after graduation from BJB College, Bhubaneswar.
The family’s journey has not been easy. Uma Maheshwari lost her husband in 2012, after which she single-handedly raised her children amid severe financial hardships. Yet, the three siblings remained deeply focused on their studies despite limited resources.
Speaking emotionally after her son’s success, Uma Maheshwari said, “I am so happy that I cannot express it in words. Everything is Lord Jagannath’s wish. I struggled a lot for my children after my husband passed away in 2012.”Swadhin dedicated his success to his family, saying,
“Last year my younger brother cleared the examination while I could not. But I continued preparing and this year I finally succeeded. I want to dedicate this success to my mother, my aunt, my sister and my entire family.”
In the last six years, this humble family from Block Colony, Jeypore has emerged as a shining example of perseverance and self-belief in the region. Their story proves that with strong determination, hard work, and family support, even the toughest dreams can be achieved despite all odds.
