She may not be able to see. But that hasn’t dented her spirit to live her life to the fullest like others.

Manjulata Panda (38), a completely blind woman, successfully completed her PhD in Political Science,

thereby becoming the first visually-challenged woman in the State to be awarded a doctorate by the Utkal University here.

Manjulata, whose brother is also visually-challenged, proved her excellence in communication skill by presenting papers at the international conference conducted by the Ravenshaw University, Cuttack on December 9 and 10, 2013. She has completed her PG in Political Science

and MPhil from the Sambalpur University and then her PhD from the Utkal University.

“My brother Premananda and I are blind. My father is no more. However, my mother Kamala Panda, a housewife, extended all possible support to

us to live a life to the fullest,” said an elated Manjulata.

She expressed her gratitude to Dr Smita Nayak and Dr Asha Hans for extending support for her success.

“She deserves gratitude from the entire academia of the State. She has proved her excellence despite being visually-impaired. Her success has set an example for others,” said

ISWAR general secretary Sanyas Kumar Behera. ISWAR is an organisation working for the cause of disabled, particularly blind people.

Source: http://www.dailypioneer.com/state-editions/bhubaneswar/manjulata-first-visually-challenged-woman-of-odisha-to-get-phd.html