92-year-old Salima Khan goes to school for first time, learns reading, writing
Times of India. “Those days are gone." The literacy rate in India is around 73%, according to the 2011 census.
“Her story reinforces the belief that the pursuit of knowledge is not limited by age," local education officer Lakshmi Pandey was quoted as saying by AFP. Volunteers from a government education initiative had identified Khan as a potential student and encouraged her to go to school, Pandey said.
Teachers were initially hesitant on teaching Salima, but were won over by her passion to study, school headmistress Pratibha Sharma said. “We didn't have the heart to refuse her," Sharma told the Times of India.
Inspiring others to join her, since she went to school, 25 other women from her village also started literacy classes, including two daughters-in-law. Guinness World Records lists the late Kimani Ng'ang'a Maruge from Kenya as the oldest person to complete primary school, having enrolled in 2004 when he was aged 84.
A former Mau Mau guerilla fighter against British colonial forces, Maruge started school wanting to count money and read the Bible, and was later appointed senior head-boy. (With inputs from agencies) "Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels
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