Even after 75, their hunger for knowledge goes on

Nagpur: There’s nothing unique about a group of students belonging to the same university discussing academic matters, but those present during a panel discussion at Ignou’s regional centre on Monday were not your regular crowd. All of these students were aged 78 years and above.
Ignou’s regional director P Sivaswaroop had invited this special group to share different experiences of continuing to learn at this age.
The theme of ‘Education at 75+: What, why and how?’ was selected to celebrate the centre’s 10th foundation day.
Sivaswaroop said, “Elderly population in the country is increasing from 104 million in 2011 and projected to be 173 million by 2026. The literate among them are also increasing from 27% in 1991 to 44% in 2011. The capacity of older adults to remain physically, mentally and socially active depends partially on their participation in learning and education.”
At Nagpur’s Ignou centre 40 students above the age of 75 have enrolled.
Nathuram Swarnakar (78), retired scientist from Neeri said, “Completing my MBA has given me more confidence and increased my curiosity to learn more even at this age.”
Former vice-chancellor of DY Patil University SW Kulkarni (78) is studying MA anthropology in Ignou. “Coordination of geriatric persons is lacking in the country. University like Ignou should take an initiation to have an academic forum to discuss and integrate the thought and mind of the elderly people to the younger generation,” he said.
DM Alsi, 78, a senior executive who has 24 degrees, said, “I pursued those degrees for the reason that all the social sciences disciplines are interrelated and I wanted to have a basic knowledge in those disciplines.”
Dr Anand Kakde, retired government medical officer (77) said, “My professional experiences made me realize that the learning which I acquired from previous degree is not sufficient to work in the rural areas, hence I enrolled in psychology programme at Ignou.”