78-year-old man, partially blind among many to get degrees

Nagpur: Seventy-eight-year old DM Alsi, a student of Nagpur centre of Indira Gandhi National Open University, was a proud man to receive a degree at the 33rd convocation ceremony held at Hislop College on Monday. Many jaws dropped after learning that he has in his kitty 24 degrees and PG diplomas. And his yearning to learn more continues.
Alsi told TOI, “ I have four graduation and 16 postgraduate degrees and four PG diplomas. I want to study as many subjects as possible as it makes me happy. I know that these degrees and certificates are not of much use for me at this age as I am not seeking a job. I study because I want to gain knowledge.”
Another inspiring story was that of Pawan Wanjari who is suffering from partial blindness. He collected his certificate in BEd. He said, “My father reads out from the modules and I listen. I was provided a writer during examination. I want to tell people that no physical barrier can stop you from taking education if there is a will.”
The ceremony commenced with a progress report presented by Ignou regional director P Sivaswaroop. He spoke about the events organized by the university throughout the year.
In his convocation address, vice-chancellor of Kavikulaguru Kalidas Sanskrit University Shrinivasa Varakhedi said, “Ignou provides those people an opportunity to take degrees who are unable to study in a regular university due to some reason or the other. They can get as many degrees as they wish if they are prepared to study hard.”
“Education makes a person better and gives a fulfilling experience in life. Making a meaningful life should be the goal of education and not a making a living out of it alone,” he added.
According to him, the educational endeavours should aim at holistic development of an individual. “A graduate should be a good citizen with certain qualities which will make one useful to the society,” he said.
“In a geographically vast country like India and for her huge population, the campus-isolated and classroom-based education system will not be sufficient. In order to reach out to the learners, the open and distance mode system of education is the only solution,” Varakhedi said.
Many students were then awarded certificates in varied courses they had opted for.