105-Year-Old Woman Clears Fourth Standard Equivalency Exam In Kerala

Once again, the zeal to learn and achieve something in life has defied age. 105-year-old Bhageerati Amma from Kerala appeared for the fourth standard equivalency examination conducted by the state's literacy mission. With this, she has become the oldest ‘equivalency learner’ of Kerala State Literacy Mission Programme.

According to The Hindu Kerala State Literacy Mission Programme’s resource person, Vasanth Kumar told PTI that Bhageerathi took three days to complete three question papers on Environmental Science, Mathematics and Malayalam since she faced difficulties in writing. She was also aided by her youngest daughter so that she could finish her exams without any hindrance.

Bhageerathi has become the oldest ‘equivalency learner’ of Kerala State Literacy Mission Programme.

Key Takeaways:

• Bhageerathi Amma from Kerala appeared for fourth standard equivalency examination at the age of 105-year-old.
• The examination was conducted by the Kerala State Literacy Mission Programme.
  
• Bhageerathi has become the oldest equivalency learner of the Mission program to date.
• Bhageerathi left her formal education at the age of nine when she was in class three and her mother passed away.
• She took care of her siblings and then got married. In her 30s, she lost her husband and had to bring up her six children alone.

Series of misfortune that mystified her dream to learn

Bhageerathi lost her mother at the age of nine and had to take the responsibility of her younger siblings. Soon, she got married, however, tragedy struck her yet again. When she was in her 30s, her husband passed away, leaving behind six children, including four daughters.

Also Read: 96-Year-Old Kerala Woman Scores 98% In Literacy Exam

Kumar revealed, “Even at this age, she has a sharp memory, has no problems relating to eyesight and sings well. Amma was very happy to appear for the examination and excited as she had left her formal education at the age of nine when she was in class three.”

Bhageerathi Amma lost her mother at the age of nine, after which she had to give up her education, to care for her young sibilings.

Bhageerathi Amma has also lost one of her six children and three of her fifteen grandchildren. She currently lives with yer youngest daughter Thankamani Amma, who is 67-year-old.

The only grievance she has in life till now is that she never received either a widow or old age pension. She does not have an Adhaar Card but was hoping that the authorities will understand her ignorance and provide the pension that she rightfully deserves.

Kerala elderly women championing literacy

Just last year, a 96-year-old woman from the state, Karthyayani Amma was in the news as she topped the qualifying Class four exam conducted by the Kerala Literacy Mission Authority, scoring 98 percent.

Picture Credit: Hindustan Times

Rudrani Kumari is an intern with SheThePeople.TV. 

Also Read: Karthyayani Amma Is Now Commonwealth Learning Goodwill Ambassador