Karthyayani Amma, the Oldest Learner Under Kerala State Literacy Mission Passes Away
GG News Bureau
Thiruvananthapuram, 10th Oct. Karthyayani Amma, who was 101 years old and set a record for being the oldest student in the Kerala State Literacy Mission, passed away on October 10 at her residence in the coastal Alappuzha district.
She apparently suffered a stroke that left her bedridden for some time.
Karthyayani Amma rose to prominence not just for being the oldest student in the southern state’s literacy program, at the age of 96, but also for getting the highest marks in the ‘Aksharalaksham’ test, a fourth grade equivalent examination.
The nonagenarian, from Cheppad village in Alappuzha district, was the oldest of the 43,330 people who took the exam.
On Women’s Day in March 2020, she also received the Nari Shakti award from former President Ram Nath Kovind.
She was named a Commonwealth of Learning Goodwill Ambassador in 2019.
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.
“There was confidence and determination in those words,” Vijayan said in a Facebook post.
He also posted a condolence message on the social media platform X where the CM said that Karthyayani Amma served as an inspiring role model for many through her unwavering determination to pursue education despite challenges.
“Deeply saddened by the passing of Karthyayani Amma, who made history by becoming the oldest learner under the State Literacy Mission. She served as an inspiring role model for many, showing unwavering determination to pursue education despite challenges.
“Her demise is a significant loss to our literacy movement, which helped shape modern Kerala. Heartfelt condolences,” he said.
V Sivankutty, the state’s minister of general education, also expressed sorrow on Karthyayani Amma’s demise.
“Amma, who grew up under circumstances where she could not study and became literate at the age of 96, is a symbol of determination,” the minister said.
Karthyayani Amma, a widow and mother of six from Kerala’s Alappuzha’s Haripad municipality, swept the sidewalks outside temples to raise her children.
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