Man triumphs over Covid, two cardiac arrests to ace Indian Forest Service examination

Telgote Devanand, who suffered 80 per cent lung damage due to coronavirus, emerged from the jaws of death to secure 112th rank in IFS examination

Hyderabad: After battling Covid-19 for around four months in the intensive care unit (ICU), which left him with 80 per cent lung damage, along the way two cardiac arrests, Telgote Devanand emerged from the jaws of death to ace the Indian Forest Service Examination, 2024.

Recovering from a long Covid-19 battle and defying all odds, Devanand, who hails from Maharashtra, secured the 112th rank in the Indian Forest Service Examination, 2024, results declared by the Union Public Service Commission on Monday.

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The 29-year-old’s achievement is no ordinary feat. In 2021, Devanand was in Delhi to appear for the UPSC Civil Services interview for the second time. However, fate took a cruel turn. He contracted Covid-19 while on the way back to hometown in Akola as his interview that was scheduled for May 5, 2021, was rescheduled due to the pandemic.

Devanand ‘s initial CT score for the infection turned out to be 10, while he tested negative in the RTPCR report, a test conducted to detect coronavirus. As the days passed with initial treatment in Akola, his CT score was recorded 20/25, showing an alarming rate of infection spread in his lung.

With the assistance of Telangana Additional DGP (L&O) Mahesh M Bhagwat, the 29-year-old was airlifted to KIMS Hospital, Begumpet, where he was admitted to ICU for around four months and put on ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation), a therapy used to treat people with life-threatening heart and lung conditions.

While undergoing treatment for coronavirus infection, the Civils aspirant received another setback as he suffered cardiac arrest not just once but twice.

“Doctors intervened at the right time and managed the cardiac arrests. I also faced breathing issues due to a hole between the oesophagus and trachea. Whenever I used to breathe, air used to go into my stomach, resulting in breathing problems. A doctor diagnosed and treated the issue,” said Devanand.

While doctors successfully treated different ailments, the 29-year-old’s recovery was no cakewalk. After being in ICU for around four months, and another three months in the ward, Devanand was put in a hospital-like setup at home, ensuring no dust in the room.

“It was a long journey towards recovery. I cannot put into words how much Mahesh Bhagwat helped me both in my treatment and interview guidance. He guided me for Civil Services,” said Devanand, who is now eying for the IAS position.