Phulbani, Aug 25: During the day, Rinku Uthansingh carried heavy stones at construction sites in Kerala. At night, whenever he found a few hours, he immersed himself in his books. Coming from a poor family in Kandhamal district, Rinku had travelled to Kannur in Kerala as a migrant worker with a dream-to continue his education and build a better life.

Despite financial hardship, language barriers and the pressures of family responsibilities, Rinku has now achieved that dream. He completed his B.Tech in Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering from Vimal Jyothi Engineering College in Kannur in April this year and is currently preparing for employment.

The day Rinku received his degree was an emotional moment for his mother, who broke down in tears of joy. She attended the convocation and recalled the difficult years her family had endured.

A Childhood Marked by Hardship                

Rinku hails from Matipada village under Saramuli panchayat in Brahmanigaon police station limits of Daringbadi block in Kandhamal. He was born into a financially disadvantaged family. His father, Aleja Uthansingh, was a daily-wage labourer supporting his wife and four sons.

In 2011, when Rinku was studying in Class V, his father passed away. The family was left without its main source of income. His mother, Pranchiska Uthansingh, began working as a daily-wage labourer to support the family.

His elder brother Pinku also took responsibility for raising his three younger brothers. Due to financial difficulties, Rinku’s three brothers had to discontinue their education after high school and work as labourers.

Rinku, however, refused to give up on his studies.

He completed his matriculation from Gurudev High School at Mandasaru in Raikia block and later completed his Plus II Science from Eluru in Andhra Pradesh with 70 per cent marks.

From Kandhamal to Kerala

With limited employment opportunities in their home region, Rinku’s family migrated to Kerala in 2020. After completing Plus II, Rinku also moved to Kannur in 2021 and began working alongside his brothers at construction sites.

He carried laterite stones and other construction materials, earning around ₹1,000 a day. The income was barely enough to support the family.

Yet, Rinku continued studying whenever he could. Alongside his construction work, he also completed a PGDCA course, determined to pursue higher education.

His brothers made enormous sacrifices to support him. Rinku recalls that there were times when his brothers went without proper meals so that they could contribute money towards his education.

College Opens the Door to His Dream

Determined to pursue engineering, Rinku approached Vimal Jyothi Engineering College at Chemperi in Kannur and explained his financial circumstances and aspirations to the college authorities.

Impressed by his determination and academic potential, the college supported him and advised him to appear for the Kerala Engineering, Architecture and Medical (KEAM) entrance examination. The institution also helped him prepare for the examination.

Although Rinku cleared the entrance examination, document-related complications delayed the declaration of his result. Eventually, the college allowed him to take admission under the NRI quota.

Finances remained a major challenge. Rinku approached several banks for an education loan but could not secure one. However, from his third semester onwards, the college provided him with a scholarship, giving him the opportunity to continue his engineering education.

Construction Worker by Day, Engineering Student by Night

Rinku continued working at construction sites even while pursuing his engineering degree. He spent part of the day working and the rest attending college.

Even during bus journeys, he continued his online studies. Another major challenge was language. Rinku did not know Malayalam when he arrived in Kerala.

His teachers and college manager Father Sani Vadasseril helped him overcome the language barrier and supported him throughout his academic journey.

Meanwhile, his brothers continued contributing from their own earnings to help him complete his education.

From Carrying Stones to Becoming an Engineer

Rinku’s determination eventually paid off. Despite years of financial hardship, exhausting labour and language difficulties, he completed his four-year B.Tech programme in Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering with first-class marks this year.

The young man who once carried stones on his head at construction sites is now a qualified engineer.

Rinku credits his success to his mother, brothers and the support provided by his college. His immediate goal is to secure a job and bring happiness to his mother and brothers.

His brothers, who continue to work as construction labourers, remain a major source of inspiration for him.

“My brothers sacrificed so much for my education. I want to get a job and bring a smile to my mother’s and brothers’ faces,” Rinku said.

His journey from a construction worker to a B.Tech engineer stands as a powerful example of how determination, family sacrifice and the right opportunity can overcome even the toughest obstacles.