Who Is Karthyayani Amma? The Kerala Grandmother Who Learned To Read At 96 And Inspired Lifelong Learning
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There is no restriction on age regarding education. The case of Karthyayani Amma of Kerala serves as an excellent example of this truth. While most individuals get passive at retirement age, she took a pencil in hand and learned how to read and write, earning excellent grades in the literacy exam of her state.
Who Is Karthyayani Amma?
Karthyayani Amma hails from the state of Kerala in India. She hailed from the small village of Cheppad in the district of Alappuzha in Kerala. She came from a poor family and was born in the 1920s. Due to the poverty-stricken conditions, she had to enter the workforce as a domestic help at an early age.
Why Did Karthyayani Amma Start Studying At 96?
Inspired by her daughter, who was aged 60 years and who had previously attended the literacy programme from this area, Karthyayani Amma realised it was time for her to fulfil her pending dream. In 2018, when she was 96 years old, she enrolled herself in the Aksharalaksyam literacy program conducted by the Kerala State Literacy Mission Authority.
Her objective was very clear and simple: she wanted to learn to read, write her own name, and do arithmetic. Age was no hindrance, and she studied with dedication under the guidance of her teacher Sathi K.
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How Did Karthyayani Amma Perform In The Literacy Exam?
In August 2018, Karthyayani Amma sat alongside thousands of adult learners for the official literacy examination testing reading, writing, and basic mathematics.
Parameter |
Performance and Details |
Total Score |
98 out of 100 (Ranked 1st nationwide) |
Breakdown |
30/30 in Reading, 40/40 in Math, 28/30 in Writing |
National Honor |
Awarded the Nari Shakti Puraskar by the President of India in 2020 |
Commonwealth Role |
Named a Goodwill Ambassador by the Commonwealth of Learning |
Why Is Karthyayani Amma An Inspiration For Lifelong Learning?
The significance of Karthyayani Amma goes beyond the scorecard of an exam result. She has been able to break stereotypes within society in relation to age and learning, hence proving that no matter how old someone gets, their potential never expires.
She demonstrated that illiteracy is just an incident and not a permanent status. The life story of Karthyayani Amma became an inspirational tale for adult education programs all over the world.
Conclusion
Karthyayani Amma passed away in October 2023 at the ripe old age of 101 years, yet her legacy lives on to inspire others.
Image credits: Instagram
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- Q1: What was the exam that Karthyayani Amma topped at age 96?
- She topped the Aksharalaksyam exam conducted by the Kerala State Literacy Mission in 2018, scoring 98 out of 100 marks.
- Q2: What national award did Karthyayani Amma receive?
- She was honoured with the Nari Shakti Puraskar, India's highest civilian award for women, in March 2020.
- Q3: What was Karthyayani Amma's next goal after passing her literacy exam?
- After mastering basic literacy, she expressed a strong desire to learn basic computer skills and typing.
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