88-year-old returns to Jorhat College to earn master's degree

GUWAHATI: At the age of 88, exactly 50 years after becoming a graduate, octogenarian Rabindra Nath Das of Jorhat has enrolled himself into a master's degree course under Dibrugarh University (DU).

Das says his life has been like a roller-coaster, caught in a balancing act between earning his bread and his indomitable desire to spread the light of education. He set up several schools besides taking up several employments through the course of his life. However, he is as enthusiastic to earn his MA degree as he was when he achieved his bachelor's degree from Jorhat College night shift in 1968, he said.

Das overcame chronic heart-related ailments a couple of years ago, paving the way for enrolling himself into an MA in Education programme at Jorhat College this year. The course is offered by DU through distance mode at Jorhat College.

Das said, "For me, growing old seemed to only deepen the yearning for higher education. Even before passing the matric exam in 1951, I got a job in a tea garden. Soon after matriculation, I enrolled myself in JB College in Jorhat and passed intermediate exam in commerce in 1953. Aster that, I undertook a postal job and worked as an office assistant in the tea garden central office in Jorhat. Life took a new twist in the late 50s, when I decided to start an independent business and open a printing press. Simultaneously, I also started a shop of kitchen utensils, which still functions."

Generations have studied and passed out since his graduation, but Das said, "A deep desire for acquiring wisdom is the driving force which inspired me to take admission again at this age."

Das is also a three-time member of the Jorhat Municipal Board, having had former chief minister Tarun Gogoi, who was then in his initial days into politics, as his colleague.

While holding regular classed for the elderly would have required reversing the admission rules, Jorhat College authorities said they hoped Das's admission will inspire students to opt for distance education owing to difficulties.

Devabrata Sharma, Jorhat College principal, said he is delighted to welcome Das back to the college after exactly five decades. "He has proved once again that no age is too late for learning. The age group of our students is now spread from 15 to 88. We salute this student of Jorhat College as the harbinger of rejuvenation and youthfulness. The mission of knowledge will now be illuminated with wisdom."