Balangir, Oct 1: Thick spectacles now sit on his face. The strength in his hands has faded, and his voice is no longer as strong as it once was. Yet, on a slate, 80-year-old Khamin Mahanand carefully writes letters and numbers. He counts on his fingers, practises writing his name and slowly discovers a world that remained beyond his reach for most of his life.
For Mahanand and many other senior citizens in Balangir district, learning has begun again in old age.
Across villages in the district, elderly men and women who had been deprived of education for various reasons are returning to classrooms. They are learning alphabets, numbers and basic reading and writing skills, appearing for examinations and receiving certificates through the New India Literacy Programme (NILP).
The initiative has received considerable response in rural and border areas, where access to education has historically been limited.
An 80-year-old goes back to school
Muribahal block is one of Odisha's migration-prone areas, with many residents travelling outside the state for work. Education, particularly in rural families, often takes a back seat amid economic and social challenges.
Mahanand, from Badauda village under Tupada panchayat, never attended school as a child. He recalls that there was no school in his village and the nearest one was around eight kilometres away through forested areas. His family did not allow him to make the journey.
Marriage and family responsibilities further pushed education out of his life.
His inability to read, write or calculate often caused difficulties in everyday transactions. But watching his Class V granddaughter study rekindled his desire to learn.
He first started looking at letters in her books and later took guidance from teachers at Badauda Primary School. Eventually, at the age of 80, he enrolled in the literacy programme.
After learning reading, writing and numeracy, Mahanand appeared for an examination and scored 122 out of 150 marks. Today, he can read newspapers, Odia magazines and religious books in his spare time.
A new beginning for Jayanti
Nearly 70-year-old Jayanti Pashayat of Muribahal is another example.
After her husband's death, she devoted years to raising her children. When they grew up, she began to feel isolated and uncomfortable watching others read or manage calculations while shopping.
She joined the Ullas literacy programme during an Education Department survey. She gradually learned numbers and reading, giving her greater confidence in everyday life.
Literacy drive across Balangir
The stories of Mahanand and Jayanti are only two examples from Muribahal. Across Balangir's blocks, thousands of senior citizens are participating in literacy programmes.
Over the past three years, the district has set a target of making 2.4 lakh people literate. So far, around 1.44 lakh elderly men and women have acquired basic literacy and numeracy skills. This year, another 56,000 people are pursuing literacy education.
ADEO Reena Kumari Behera said efforts are being made to extend literacy programmes from rural areas to urban centres, with teachers and Block Education Officers actively supporting the initiative.
For those who once relied on a thumb impression, writing their own name is more than a lesson—it is a newfound sense of dignity and independence. Their stories prove that it is never too late to learn.
