Sarada M
Alappuzha, Nov 1: The 96-year old Karthyayani Amma is on cloud nine. For, she had passed the ‘Aksharalaksham’ literacy examination conducted by the Kerala State Literacy Mission Authority in August with first rank; scoring 98 marks out of 100. Hailing from Cheppad, Haripad in Alappuzha district of Kerala, the nonagenarian has now qualified to enter the class IV equivalency course.
“It is my long cherished dream to pass 10th before me reaching 100 years of age. I want to read, write and chat over the many happenings across the world,” says the toothless granny with a warm smile.
Karthyayani Amma (left) writes ‘Aksharalaksham’ literacy examination at a school
Karthyayani Amma with children
She scored 38 out of 40 in writing, and full marks in reading and Mathematics. Karthyayani Amma began to dust off her ambition when the literacy mission workers visited her house in January this year under the Aksharalaksham programme, which targets complete literacy. “When she told us about her wish, we thought she was kidding. But the following months proved her commitment to studies. She inspired many septuagenarians and octogenarians to the class,” says literacy mission local Prerak (teacher) K Sati. She studied for six months before attending the exam in August at Haripad Muttam Kanichanellur L P School. “After the exam, Karthyayani Amma ran to me and lamented that all that studied was not asked for the examination,” recalls Sati.
Daughter was the inspiration
Amma hogged limelight as the most aged person attending the examination and vernacular daily, ‘Malayala Manorama’ carried a heart-warming photo where 88-year old Ramachandran, who sat near to Amma at examination hall looking at her answer sheet apparently a copying attempt. Karthyayani Amma has never gone to school as she had to eke out a hard life doing domestic chores at neighbouring houses and sweeper job at a local temple. She got inspired from her 51-year old daughter Amminiyamma, who passed 10th equivalent exam through Literacy programme.
“I was a school dropout. Later, I continued studies attending continuing education classes and passed the 10th equivalent. Amma was inspired by that and plunged to join classes never minding her age. After enrolling in class, she used to read and write at home, even after her grandchildren closed their books and signed off to bed,” says Amminiyamma. “And what are your future plans, Amma,” asks Amminiyamma to Karthyayani Amma and pat came the reply,” I want to study English and then computer. But before that, I want to pass 10th with cent per cent marks”. Karthyanani Amma doesn’t need spectacles even at this ripe age and she has a fantastic memory power. “I used to wake up 4 am daily, whatever climate it may be,” she says.
Aksharalaksham
According to Kerala State Literacy Mission Director Dr P S Sreekala, 43,330 had attended the examination of which 99.08 per cent got through. “Of this, 37,166 are women. As many as 8,215 are from scheduled caste and 2,882 from scheduled tribe community,” she said. Among districts, Palakkad toped in the number of winning students, 10,866. State literacy mission has identified 47,241 illiterates in the state which triggered the launching of Aksharalaksham. Karthyayani Amma received the certificate from Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on November 1 in Thiruvananthapuram.
Team StoryInfinity for Daijiworld