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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Metro ridership in Haryana sees over 13 pc rise in 2025-26
Chandigarh (PTI): Haryana's urban transit system witnessed a strong growth in 2025-26, with metro ridership registering a robust 13.55 per cent increase, the state government said in a statement on Thursday.
The progress was reviewed in the 64th board meeting of Haryana Mass Rapid Transport Corporation (HMRTC) chaired by Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi.
Between April 2025 and February 2026, the metro network recorded over 1.74 crore passengers, compared to 1.53 crore in the corresponding period the previous year.
July recorded the highest monthly growth at 22.93 per cent, while all months showed consistent positive trends.
Financial performance has also remained strong, with fare revenue rising 12.64 per cent till January 2026, the statement said.
Non-fare revenue surged by 108 per cent, driven by effective monetisation of station spaces, advertisements and commercial activities, resulting in an operating surplus for Rapid Metro.
Further initiatives, including the auction of station naming rights and additional advertisement sites, are expected to strengthen HMRTC's financial position, the statement said.
Appreciating the performance, Rastogi stated that the consistent rise in ridership and revenue reflects the success of Haryana's integrated transport strategy, rising commuter confidence and a clear shift towards public transport.
HMRTC Managing Director Chander Shekhar Khare said that, alongside operational gains, the state is making steady progress on an ambitious pipeline of metro and regional transit projects.
Metro connectivity from Gurugram Sector 56 to Panchgaon is under active consideration, with Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited studying the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and layout plan, and finalising a depot location in Sector 36A near Sihi village, he said.
The Gurugram-Faridabad Namo Bharat corridor has achieved a key milestone, with alignment and station locations finalised and approved by the Haryana government. The National Capital Region Transport Corporation is preparing the DPR, he added.
Similarly, the Delhi-Kundli metro extension is proposed to be placed before the Haryana Cabinet for approval.
The 136.3-kilometre Delhi-Panipat-Karnal RRTS Corridor has also progressed, with the revised DPR submitted for financial concurrence ahead of Haryana Cabinet consideration.
Within Gurugram, DPR preparation has been approved for key intra-city corridors, including the 17.09-kilometre Bhondsi-Subhash Chowk-Rajeev Chowk-Sohna Chowk Railway Station corridor, enhancing connectivity along Sohna Road, Khare said.
