Book Binder's son emerges as Odisha JEE topper

Kendrapara: A book binder's son has topped the Odisha Joint Entrance Examination (OJEE) in MBA leaving the academic fraternity in the district headquarters township elated.

Sk. Fallauddin, father of OJEE MBA topper, was forced to sell off a piece of urban land to meet his son's study expenses.

Shadab Anwar (22), who was the best commerce graduate in Kendrapara autonomous college, has earned first rank in OJEE-MBA.

"It's a matter of pride for our college. The highlight of Anwar's achievement is that he hailed from a family with a modest income," said Principal of Kendrapara autonomous college, Sachidanand Sadangi.

"Anwar was good at studies. He had excelled in 10th standard, plus two and plus three examination. I have another younger son and daughter. I was forced to sell off a decimal of land in Kendrapara town to meet with their academic expenses. With Anwar's achieving top rank in joint entrance examination, I feel I did not commit a mistake in selling the land," observed Fallauddin.

"There is no short-cut to success. I was very sincere towards studies. It has borne fruit. Topping entrance has inspired me for achieving greater heights. I have set my target to excel in MBA and get a good job. My father is very supportive," said Anwar.

Despite his limited income, monetary constraints never deterred him from perusing higher education, he said.

“Anwar's success is inspirational given the fact that he hails from minority community. People from minority community here are lagging behind in education front. Still Anwar with parental support has set an example for people from his community,” said educationist and retired teacher of Kendrapara Autonomous College, Bhagaban Jena.