Koraput, Aug. 6 (UDN): A young engineering couple from Odisha’s Koraput district, who once dreamt of building professional careers, now earn their livelihood as daily wage labourers after their college allegedly withheld their original academic certificates over unpaid course fees.
Mana Muduli, a diploma holder in Civil Engineering, and his wife, Sukanti Paraja, who completed a diploma in Electrical Engineering, graduated from a private engineering college in 2020 with aspirations of securing stable jobs in their respective fields. However, their hopes remained unfulfilled as they were reportedly denied their original certificates due to pending tuition fees.
Hailing from Dangari village, the couple said their financial condition prevented them from clearing the remaining dues, leaving them unable to obtain the documents required to apply for engineering positions. Without proof of their qualifications, they were unable to compete for jobs despite completing their technical education.
With limited employment options and increasing financial responsibilities after marriage, the couple turned to manual labour to support their family. Today, they work at construction sites, carrying bricks, sand and cement for daily wages—far removed from the careers they had trained for.
The couple said they had approached the college several times seeking the release of their certificates but their efforts yielded no positive outcome. Their story has drawn attention to the challenges faced by economically weaker students who complete their education but struggle to access employment due to financial constraints.
Following public attention to the issue, Koraput District Collector Manoj Satyawan Mahajan met the couple and assured them that the administration would look into the matter. He said efforts would be made to facilitate the release of their certificates and explore suitable employment opportunities in line with their qualifications.
The Collector’s assurance has brought fresh hope to the couple, who remain determined to pursue the engineering careers they had envisioned despite years of hardship.
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