Kerala’s great granny gets laptop as gift after topping literacy exam
Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 8: Days after expressing her wish to learn computers, Kerala's great granny, Karthyayani Amma, who had secured 98 per cent marks in a literacy exam at the age of 96, has got a laptop as gift from the government.
Amma was the oldest candidate and top scorer in the 'Aksharalaksham' programme, a flagship initiative of the state-run Kerala State Literacy Mission Authority, with 98 marks out of 100.
As a gesture of appreciation for the achievement, state Education Minister C Raveendranath Wednesday handed over a new laptop to Amma after visiting her at her home in coastal Cheppad village of Alappuzha district.
Clad in a traditional Kerala saree, Amma received the Minister, who himself is a retired college professor, with her trademark innocent smile.
Asked whether she wanted to learn computers, she was quick to reply: "I will study if I get one."
To her amazement, the minister soon gave her the "surprise gift" of the government- a laptop.
He also found time to initiate the nonagenarian into the world of computers by helping her to press the keys.
Before leaving, the minister extended full support to the further studies of the 'oldest' student of the state, family members said.
Proving that age is no barrier for learning, Karthyayani Amma had scored 38 out of 40 in writing, and full marks of 30 each in mathematics and reading in the three-module literacy exam.
The proud nonagenarian had also received an 'Aksharalaksham' certificate from Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on November 1.
Amma, a mother of six children of whom only two are alive, six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren, had said that she wanted to continue with her studies at least up to 10th standard and learn computers.
Having cleared the Aksharalaksham exam, she has got direct entry into the 4th grade of the equivalency course of the Literacy Mission.
Once she has cleared the six-month 4th grade course, she can join the 7th grade equivalency programme and subsequently the 10th standard course, the Mission officials had said.
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300 students get free sanitary pads at menstrual health awareness programme in Mangaluru
Mangaluru: Around 300 students from government colleges and schools in Kavoor were given free sanitary pads during an awareness programme on menstrual health and hygiene held on Saturday.
The programme was organised by the Women Research Centre and the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) at the Government First Grade College (GFGC), Kavoor. The students hailed from Government First Grade college (GFGC), PU government college and high school, Deccan Herald reported.
Prameela Rao of Women Research Centre reportedly said, such awareness programme on menstrual health and free distribution of pads will be organised once in two months throughout the year. The entire cost of organising the awareness programmes and free distribution of pads had been sponsored by US based couple, Vinay Kumar and Dr Sowmya Rao, and a non-government organisation ‘Code Crimson'."
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Joint Director of the Department of Collegiate Education, Kavitha K R, who inaugurated the programme reportedly said, such initiatives should inspire students to give back to society in the future. As per the report, she highlighted the need for more women role models and encouraged students to break taboos surrounding menstruation.
According to the report, GFGC Principal Dr Geetha M L urged students to use biodegradable sanitary pads. Doctors Ankita Sarkar and Anuja Sarkar from Code Crimson addressed students on menstrual myths, hygiene practices, the importance of regular pad changes and safe disposal methods.
The speakers stressed that menstruation is a natural process and encouraged students to seek correct information without hesitation.
