Guntur: At 56 Lakshmi Graduates as MBBS

The story of 56-year-old Lakshmi Susirani Guntupalli  proves that it is never too late to chase your dreams. Lakshmi is now the oldest female student from Guntur-based NRI Medical College.

In 1980, Lakshmi completed her intermediate (Bi.Pi.C) and subsequently got busy with familial responsibilities. On the insistence of her elder brother and her family members, she decided to pursue medicine again and even secured a seat through the management quota at NRI Medical College at the age of 50.

Talking about her student life, she said that the students there did not discriminate against her because of her age. Fortunately, she got away with ragging easily as a lot of students thought her to be one of the faculty members.

She is a native of Perecherla village of Guntur district. Her elder son, Naga Chaitanya, and daughter-in-law, Chandana, graduated from the same college a few years back. Her younger son is studying in the same college as her mother.

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Lakshmi's Journey

“I got nostalgic stepping into a college after 32 years. On my first day, students thought I was a faculty member and they were scared to talk to me (smiles). But later I clarified to them and eventually broke the ice. My son (who was studying in the 4th year in the same college) and I used to go college together. But we never told anyone that we were mother and son; but those who came to know about it were very surprised. When I look back, I feel glad that I went to the college with my son.”

A lot of people around her tried to dissuade her but it was her resoluteness that proved successful.

Challenges

“My family members — father and brother — passed away during my examinations. It became difficult for me to focus on my studies. Also, several people ridiculed me for taking up the course at 50. Waking up at 4 am and doing the household chores, managing the family and focusing on studies took a lot toll on me, both physically and mentally; but my interest in studies just kept going. In fact, I used to watch films like Dangal for inspiration," she shares.

More power to you!

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