The 96-year-old woman from Kerala, the oldest to take a literacy test in the state, has one of her wishes fulfilled. After being felicitated by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, she had expressed her wish to learn how to operate a computer in her ‘free time’.
Karthyayini Amma, who topped the Kerala literacy exam with a whopping score of 98 out of 100, is now realising her long-cherished wish to learn computer.
On Diwali eve, C Raveendranath, the state education minister, visited her home in Cheppad in Alappuzha district and gifted her a laptop. The 96-year-old started learning after her 60-year-old daughter her Class X equivalent a couple of years ago.
She was quick to put her computer skills to good use by typing her name in English.The nonagenarian now aims to finish her Class 10 equivalent exam as part of the Kerala State Literacy Mission, which is targeting 100 per cent literacy in the state. The literacy programme tests reading, writing and basic mathematical skills. This year approximately 42,933 candidates cleared the test, taking the state closer to its aim of 100 per cent literacy.
“I didn’t study well when I could. I saw small children learning to write, and that’s when a desire in me was ignited to study. And when the teacher asked if I wanted to study, I said yes. I wish to continue studying, learning computer in my free time. All this may help me to get a job,” she had said after topping the Class 4 equivalent exam.
