- Lal Chand Godara, 85, completed his MA from IGNOU decades after retiring from the Army
- Encouraged by grandchildren, he studied MA independently without coaching, passing in his first attempt
- Godara stays active with daily walks and cycling, viewing his degree as a step toward further education
At 85, Lal Chand Godara has shown that age need not be a barrier to education. The retired Army serviceman from Sirsa, Haryana, has completed his Master's degree from the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), fulfilling a dream that he had when he left school decades ago.
"My father completed his Masters in Arts programme from IGNOU. Prior to this, he also completed his graduation in 2023," his son Sahib Ram said.
Godara studied up to Class 8 before joining the Indian Army in 1961-62. He served during the 1962, 1965 and 1971 wars. But his lack of a Class 10 qualification meant he could not get a promotion in the Army.
After serving in the force, Godara joined Haryana Transport Department as a Yard Master. After retiring in 2002, he also took up sports and competed in athletics, winning medals at Haryana Masters Athletics competitions and other events.
Encouraged by his grandchildren, Godara decided to return to his studies. He enrolled for an MA (Masters of Arts) and prepared for his exams at home without taking any coaching or private tuition.
"My grandchildren were very interested. They used to tell me wife, 'Grandfather is busy studying, make tea for him'. They thought I was tired, but I have fought wars, there's no such thing for me," Godara said.
"My father had a keen desire for books since his youth. He also used to maintain a diary as writing always gave him a lot of satisfaction. But circumstances in life took him elsewhere and he could not pursue his academic pursuit the way he wanted. My younger brother's two children used to pose him questions which fuelled and reignited his desire to read books even if that meant starting at the age of 76," Sahib Ram said.
His granddaughter Navya Godara said she encouraged him to continue his education after hearing her school friends talk about their well-educated grandparents. "I am very happy. He did all this on his own."
Godara studied for hours every day, with Navya helping him whenever he had difficulty understanding a subject. He passed the MA examination in his first attempt, the family said.
Even at 85, Godara maintains an active routine. He goes for walks covering several kilometres and often cycles to the market for his daily errands.
His family has celebrated the achievement, which Godara sees as another step rather than an endpoint.
He now plans to pursue further studies, including a PhD in political science. "I am confident that I will finish that too."