Fighting All Odds, Visually-Impaired Candidate From Karnataka Tops UPSC

A visually impaired candidate from Tumakuru, Kempahonnaiah secured a commendable 340th rank in the Civil Services Examination (CSE) conducted by the UPSC.

Kempahonnaiah is a Kannada lecturer at Vontikoppal Government PU College in Mysuru. He cracked the exam in his third attempt. With the current result, he feels one step closer to his dream of getting selected in the Indian Administrative Services.

Son of Honnaiah and Muniyamma from Chowdanakuppe village in Kunigal taluka of Tumakuru district, Kempahonnaiah lost his vision as a child. In class 3, retinal damage led him to discontinue his studies. He stayed in his village for a while after that. Tables turned when his determination earned him a seat at a government blind school in Mysuru. He completed his graduation from Maharaja College, did his masters from Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) and his MPhil from Kannada University, Hampi.

“I wrote the UPSC exam in Kannada. The interview was also held in Kannada. I am really happy with the rank,” Kempahonniah told Deccan Herald.

Kempahonnaiah did not take any special coaching to crack the UPSC. He attributes his success to his supportive wife. “All this happened due to the unflinching support by my friends. My wife, Anchita, has been a pillar of support all along. She helped me read, make notes and made me listen to recordings. She is the main force behind this achievement,” he said.

Read more: This UPSC Aspirant Has Helped Build 70 Toilets in a Remote Village

Achintha worked with the Sneha Kirana Spastic Society in Mysuru as a special educator for people with learning disabilities. “She is the real IAS officer here,” beamed Kempahonnaiah at the felicitation ceremony.

He is fondly referred to as ‘Kempa IAS’ by his doting sons, Prabodh and Nibodh. He says they picked their name from TV channels that praised his achievement.

Kempahonnaiah’s parents are farmers. “My father Honnaiah passed away. My mother Muniyamma is a farmer and could not be present here today,” he said at the ceremony.

His older brother C H Nanjappa, is differently-abled.

“I want to concentrate on creating more opportunities for the differently-abled after getting my posting. I will go wherever I am posted,” said Kempahonnaiah.

Delighted by her husband’s accomplishment, Anchita said, “I am happy for his success and that I could help him achieve what he wanted. I always knew he had it in him.”

Feature picture credit: The New Indian Express

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