Karthyayani Amma rose to prominence not just for being the oldest student in the southern state's literacy programme...
Digital Desk: Age can never be the barrier on the road of education, this phrase was proved by Karthyayani Amma, who was 101 years old and set a record as the oldest student in the Kerala State Literacy Mission, passed away on October 10 at her home in the coastal Alappuzha district.
She apparently experienced a stroke that left her bedridden for some time.
Karthyayani Amma gained attention for being the fourth-standard equivalent of the oldest student in the southern state's literacy campaign at the age of 96, but also for receiving the highest marks in the "Aksharalaksham" test.
Of the 43,330 applicants who took the test, the golden ager, who is from Cheppad village in Alappuzha district, was the oldest.
On Women's Day in March 2020, she received the Nari Shakti Award from former President Ram Nath Kovind.
She was also named a Commonwealth of Learning Goodwill Ambassador in 2019.
Speaking about Karthyayani Amma, she was a widow and mother of six from Kerala's Alappuzha's Haripad municipality, she used to sweep the sidewalks outside temples to raise her children.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed condolences on her death on Wednesday, recalling meeting her after she received the award and hearing her ambition to study more and find a job after finishing 10th grade.
Karthyayani Amma's death was also mourned by state General Education Minister V Sivankutty.
"Amma, who grew up under circumstances where she could not study and became literate at the age of 96, is a symbol of determination," said State General Education Minister.
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