95 Years Old! Meet the Oldest Masters Degree Applicant in the World (Photo)

 

95-year-old Raj Kumar Vaishya's lifelong dream of obtaining a post-graduate degree is set to be realized. He enrolled for MA in Economics at the Nalanda Open University on September 8 for the 2015-16 session.

"I am nearer to fulfilling my long cherished dream of a postgraduate degree in economics. My aim is not to get a degree; the thrust is to study and gain knowledge of economics so as to understand the problems facedby the people and the country and to contribute something, if possible," says Vaishya.

The widower who can still read without spectacles and lives with one of his sons and daughter-in-law in Rajendra Nagar colony, says he wished to study economics also to understand why the country had failed to solve problems like poverty, illiteracy and joblessness.

His son Santosh Kumar, now in his early 70s, retired from the National Institute of Technology, Patna, whereas daughter-in-law Bharti S. Kumar, in her early 60s, retired as a professor from Patna University.
 

"Initially, they told me studying is not an easy task at this age, but later agreed to support me in view of my commitment. My son will teach me mathematics and statistics and the daughter-in-law will pitch in with other help," Vaishya said.

 

"I have decided to devote two hours daily in the morning and night hours to studies. After post-graduation, I will not pursue a PhD," he said.

Nalanda Open University, NOU Registrar S.P. Sinha said it was a pleasant experience for university officials when told about Vaishya’s keenness to join the postgraduate course.