Cuttack: Rashmita, a civil services aspirant, never imagined herself in a hospital bed fighting for her life. She never imagined that she would have to struggle for her life for so long. Rashmita’s goal was to take the UPSC exam after earning her Master’s degree in science and become an IAS officer.
When Rashmita Panigrahi was admitted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack on October 28, 2022, with more than 60% burn damage, she witnessed her dream crumbling into pieces. A native of Gunupur, she is a victim of alleged dowry abuse. Rashmita’s in-laws allegedly tried to kill her by dousing her in kerosene and setting her ablaze, according to the claims made by her relatives.
She nevertheless persisted in reading and studying for the UPSC despite her excruciating agony and the lengthy therapy that rendered her bedridden for months.
In spite of her inability to write, she actually took the UPSC preliminary examination in May of this year, however, she was unsuccessful. She missed out on the prelims by a very little margin, but it didn’t bother her.
She said, “After my marriage, I was unable to prepare as much as I had hoped to, and being in a hospital bed did not help. I was unable to pass the preliminary exams this year. But I’ll surely be eligible next year.”
Rashmita, who experienced ‘dowry agony’ firsthand, wants to end this antiquated custom once she joins the IAS. “I didn’t enjoy how my in-laws would routinely ask my parents for money. After I had a daughter child, their hatred turned to wrath. Nobody should give up hope in any circumstance,” she added.
She is an OTET-qualified postgraduate in chemistry who maintains her preparations while lying in the hospital bed with the goal of sitting for the UPSC exams herself the following year.
This is a remarkable display of resiliency. It’s incredible that she was able to fight back and maintain optimism despite having more than 60% of her body burned. “I sincerely hope she succeeds on her second attempt to pass the civil services examination,” said Dr Bibhuti Nayak, head of the plastic surgery department at SCB Medical College and Hospital said.
