I have no grouses as far as life is concerned. But we would lead our lives all the way through love,’ the BMC commissioner says this in an as-a-matter-of-fact way while hinting at her intense love towards her husband with special reference to the reformation in Oriya culture and tradition. So also the same tempo lies with her husband. In fact, nothing- status, riches, public relations, work pressure and problems- has been able to change their heart-felt love. Intense dedication to their family life, this idyllic couple has displayed sheer efficiency in the administrative domain.
Different place, matching target
Born in Kakatpur of Puri district, most of the childhood days of Santosh Sarangi was spent in Jharsuguda where he shaped up his future with sincere and able guidance of his parent. His father B K Sarangi, a ceramic engineer, had wished his son to become an engineer by profession. However, Santosh had a long-cherished dream to become the Indian Administrative Officer, as he felt that this would be the right platform for public service. But this ensued difference of opinion with his father. However, he was so much rooted to his determination that it subsequently drove his father to give in. The happiness of the father went unbounded when his son became the IAS officer.
Similar was the case with Aparajita, a native of Muzaffar Nagar in Bihar who had made up her mind to become an IAS since her school days.
Though she was the second child, in matters of study, she was always on top. Her father Ajit Kumar Mishra had a lot of dreams after watching her profound interest in study. But he had not imposed any of his desires on his daughter. Rather, he had extended all possible help in respect to his daughter’ wish. And the daughter fulfilled her father’s desire with a lot of hard work and sacrifice.
Found life partner during training
After being selected as IAS, both Aparajita and Santosh went to Lal Bahadur Shastri Academy of Administration at Mussorie for training. It was an eventful day when the duo met at an East Zone cultural function on March 20, 1995. It was a love at first sight. Since both of them had a striking resemblance in terms of their thought, choice and profession, they did not make further delay in realizing that they are made for each other. Later, they intimated their intention to the family members and the parents promptly agreed to bless the duo. While Santosh was an Oriya Brahmin, Aparajita belonged to a conservative Bihari Brahmin family. The marriage was solemnized on 25 th January, 1996.
Under the tutelage of mother-in-law
Though Aparajita got the status of an Oriya daughter-in-law, she had a lot to learn about the Oriya culture, tradition and the language. While her husband helped her to know about the Oriya culture and tradition, the mother-in-law, Ambika Sarangi taught her the Oriya language. It did not take much time for Aparajita to grasp the language with ease.
With this, her love for Orissa became more intense. And why not; who would not say that she is an Oriya on the basis of her costume and interaction?
Childhood days
Childhood day is unforgettable for everyone including the Sarangi couple. Recounting his childhood days with a smile, Santosh says that when he was a student of Class-VI, he used to move along with his friends on the sly to a nearby mango orchard to relish the raw mango. Unfortunately, one day, one of his friends was chased and caught by the orchard owner Chaitu who severely thrashed him. From that day, the craze for raw mango was gone for ever.
On the other hand, Aparajita was also very wicked in her childhood days. She used to jump out of the main gate of her house to go to her friend’s house without opening it. In the process, she hurt herself on a number of occasions. But that had not deterred her from doing the same thing time and again.
Nothing different
Both husband and wife are able administrators. Though the duo spends more time outside, at home both of them have an even share of responsibility. Aparajita oversees all family responsibilities including homework as well as the study of the children with active cooperation of Santosh. They share the workplace pressure and the happier side of their life without any malice. Both of them are content with the parenthood and social responsibilities. Even their children are tuned up to their timings along with their parents. While the eldest daughter is Class VI student, the youngest son is now off to the school.
The parents have allowed their children to set up goals on their own. Both Aparajita and and Santosh prefer to stay at home when on leave as they want to enjoy their life with the family as much as they can.
Sole wish
The couple is determined to properly discharge their responsibility as long as they are in charge of the administration. After retirement, they have planned to set up an old-age home that would house both the old and the young so that the old will have a family environment.
In brief
Q:Who is your idol?
Aparajita Sarangi: My parents and Swami Vivekananda. My parents have always inspired me.
Q:You are the daughter of Bihar and daughter-in-law of Orissa. Which identity you prefer most?
AS: The people of Bihar are very nice. But I like Orissa most since it is the home of my husband.
Q:How do you coordinate your own family and the BMC family?
AS: Though I find less time for my children, I still manage to adjust it. The BMC family is very good. For me, the present assignment is by far the best as compared to earlier.
Q:Which is the best place in Orissa and why?
AS: Koraput. The simplicity of the tribals and the environment has won my hearts.
Q: Your hobby?
AS: Keeping the house in order, and cooking.
Q: Which work has satisfied you the most?
AS: The post-super cyclone work and solving the problem of farmers in Bargarh district had given me immense satisfaction.
Q: Any message for today’s women?
AS: Let them be traditional in their costumes and modernized in their thoughts. Let them be dignified and safeguard the pristine culture of Orissa.
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Q: Who is your idol?
Santosh Sarangi: A lot of philosophers and great souls of India
Q: Do you think that you have successfully achieved your goal by becoming the IAS?
SS: To become an IAS is not that important. For me, the volume of public service is most important.
Q: Your hobby?
SS: Playing badminton, swimming and reading novels. Of all the novels that I have read till date, I like Balighara the most. I also like Gopinath Mohanty’s Paraja very much.
Q: How would you react when you know that your wife has achieved more success than you?
SS: I would be extremely happy in the sense that I have got a wife having such personality.
Q: How do you relax during leisure?
SS: Staying along with my family.
Q: Of which quality of your wife you would like to see?
SS: She is absolutely right as she is.
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