Thiruvananthapuram: Giving and receiving gifts on Diwali is a traditional practice and one that is enjoyed by people across religions. However, 96-year-old Karthyani Amma, received a gift from an unexpected wellwisher this Diwali. She was gifted a brand new laptop by Kerala’s education minister, Prof. C Raveendranath.
An excited Karthyani was surrounded by her family and friends, who helped her type her name on the computer.
A resident of Alapuzza, Karthyani is the oldest person in the state to have taken a literacy test, which she aced, scoring an impressive 98 out of 100. She had never had a formal education and was always inspired when she saw children going to school. She wanted to pursue her higher studies, get a job and learn how to use a computer. She had reportedly expressed this wish of hers when she was felicitated by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
Karthyani had been working odd jobs to sustain her family ever since her husband’s death 57 years ago. But, this never quelled her desire to learn and complete her studies. She had earlier topped a class 4 equivalent exam and now wants to qualify for the Class 10 equivalent exam as a part of the Kerala State Literacy Mission. Even her 60-year-old daughter has joined classes under this programme.