Karthyayani Amma, the oldest student under Kerala State Literacy Mission passes away
Thiruvananthapuram(PTI): One hundred and one-year old Karthyayani Amma, who made history by becoming the oldest learner under the Kerala State Literacy Mission, has died at her residence in coastal Alappuzha district.
She was bedridden for some time after suffering a stroke and died on Tuesday.
She would be cremated on Thursday with state honours, the Alappuzha district administration said.
The Alappuzha ADM visited Karthyayani Amma's residence in Cheppad village of the district and offered a floral wreath, it said.
Karthyayani Amma had shot to fame not only for being the oldest student, at the age of 96, under the southern state's literacy mission, but also for scoring the highest marks in the 'Aksharalaksham' test, a fourth standard equivalent examination.
The nonagenarian was the oldest among the 43,330 candidates who appeared for the test. She also received the Nari Shakti award from former president Ram Nath Kovind on Women's Day in March, 2020.
In 2019, she became a Commonwealth of Learning Goodwill Ambassador.
Social media was abuzz today with condolence messages from people from all walks of lives on her demise.
Expressing his condolences, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan said Karthyayani Amma inspired many people to learn and continue their education.
"Heartfelt condolences on the sad demise of Smt. Karthyayani Amma, honored with #NariShaktiPuraskar for determination to learn and pass the literacy exam at the age of 96, inspiring many people to learn and to continue their education. May her soul attain mukti," the Governor said in a Facebook post.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, in his condolence message, recalled meeting her after she won the award and indicating her desire to study further and get a job after clearing the 10th standard.
"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 in which the CM said 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.
Leader of Opposition in the state assembly V D Satheesan also condoled her death and said Karthyayani Amma's was an example of what one can achieve through determination and will power.
State General Education Minister V Sivankutty too condoled the demise of Karthyayani Amma.
"Amma, who grew up under circumstances where she could not study and became literate at the age of 96, is a symbol of determination," he said.
Former Leader of Opposition in the state assembly and the MLA from Haripad, Ramesh Chennithala, also expressed grief over her death.
He recalled, in a Facebook post, that in the last Republic Day parade, a float of Karthyayani Amma was also there.
Union Minister of State for Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar also took to social media to convey his condolences.
"Saddened to hear about the demise of Smt. Karthyayani Amma, at the age of 101 years. By passing literacy examinations with top marks at the age of 96, she became inspirational to many of the deprived to venture into the world of literacy.
"My condolences to her family and friends. Om Shanti," he said in a Facebook post.
Karthyayani Amma, a widow and mother of six hailing from Alappuzha's Haripad municipality in Kerala, swept the streets outside temples in her village to bring up the children.
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Real Madrid fines Valverde and Tchouaméni half a million euros each for altercation
Barcelona (AP): Real Madrid slapped players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni with half-a-million-euro ($588,000) fines on Friday for their altercation during practice.
The massive fines came a day after the midfielders tussled when the team trained. Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown. But Valverde knocked his head on a table and he suffered a small cut that required a brief hospital visit.
On social media, Valverde initially called it a “meaningless fight” with a teammate and said “everything has been blown out of proportion."
His employers, however, considered it a significant enough breach of team discipline to nail both Valverde and Tchouaméni with fines that bite even the bank account of a top soccer player. The half-a-million euro penalties reflect the reputational damage the club was enduring in a chaotic end to a disappointing season.
In a statement, the 15-time European champion said its disciplinary action was concluded after both players expressed to the club “their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to one another.”
Madrid added they also apologized to their teammates, the coaching staff and club supporters, as well as showing their willingness to accept whatever disciplinary action the club deemed “opportune.”
Tchouaméni was back training with Madrid on Friday, two days before they play at Barcelona in a clasico. Madrid has to win otherwise Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champion.
After being notified of the fine, he posted a public apology to the club and its fans on social media.
“What happened this week in training is unacceptable,” Tchouaméni wrote. "I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school.
“Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club.”
Valverde was not at practice due to the head knock.
Both players are set to play in the World Cup next month, with Tchouaméni playing for France and Valverde for Uruguay.
Chaotic end to a poor season
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The run-in between the players, who for seasons have played side by side in Madrid's midfield, came after they argued this week in previous training sessions. But tempers boiled over on Thursday. Spanish media was rife with reports that the players previously disagreed over the club's decision to let coach Xabi Alonso go after just months on the job.
It was not the only altercation involving Madrid players during training this week. Álvaro Carreras confirmed he was in a “minor” incident with a teammate. Spanish media said he and fellow defender Antonio Rüdiger got into a scuffle.
Álvaro Arbeloa, the coach who was promoted from Madrid's reserve team when Alonso was fired in January, will face tough questions on what went wrong inside the changing room when he gives a press conference on Saturday ahead of the clasico at Camp Nou.
Madrid is facing a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy amid rumors in the Spanish media that club president Florentino Pérez is considering bringing back Jose Mourinho to straighten out his underperforming team.
