All eyes were on 67-year-old M Chellathai as she queued up to receive her Master’s degree in history at the convocation ceremony at Madras University on 27 November, reported The Hindu.
Chellathai told the daily that she was discouraged from studying at every step but that her resolve kept her going. As a young student, after clearing the SSC exam in Sattur, her hometown, she looked forward to joining the the pre-university course in Chennai. But her dream came crashing down when her father rebuffed her request to join Queen Mary's College, stating that higher education for girls was frowned upon.
Her marriage in Kadambur entailed another obstacle as her husband was reluctant to allow her to pursue a degree. But Chellathai did not give up. After her father's death, she sought employment in the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation in Gopalapuram as a clerk. She eventually retired in 2009.
Her five-decade-old dream came true when Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Chancellor of Tamil Nadu Open University, admitted her to the masters’ degree in History programme.
The demise of her husband in 2013 did not weaken her spirit. She pursued her dream with the support of her educated children. “I educated my girl children. They motivate me,” says the 67-year old resident of Madipakkam.
“Every young student I talk to reminds me of the opportunities I have now. One of my daughters at home assists me. I work hard,” Chellathai told the daily.
“My hope of joining a course to study at the university level was not fulfilled until my retirement. I used the money I received as retirement benefits for my education,” says Chellathai.
There’s no stopping this student. “I will join another course to study Law. Age cannot deter me from studying for a degree,” she told the daily.
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