Assam's 86-Year-Old Former Teacher Achieves Remarkable Academic Milestone with Second Master's Degree
In an inspiring display of lifelong dedication to learning, Sarojini Bhagabati, an 86-year-old former rural school teacher from Assam, has successfully completed her second master's degree from Gauhati University. She earned an MA in Assamese after two years of rigorous study through the university's distance education programme.
Academic Journey and Coursework Details
Bhagabati's coursework encompassed challenging subjects such as applied linguistics and western literary criticism, demanding sustained reading and deep analytical work. This achievement places her among the oldest students in Assam to secure a second master's degree from the prestigious institution.
Previous Academic Accomplishments and Educational Background
This latest milestone follows her earlier academic success in 2012, when she earned an MA in political science at the age of 72, garnering widespread attention for her persistence in higher education. Reflecting on her journey, Bhagabati shared that Gauhati University had always been her dream education destination.
"During my younger days at Handique Hostel, I would visit my younger brother Prof Ananda Bhagabati, former Vice-chancellor of Arunachal University, at his Gauhati University quarter and plan for an MA, even collecting the printed syllabus booklet," she told TOI.
Teaching Career and Community Contributions
After completing her BA, Bhagabati returned to her village Barnarddi in Nalbari district, where she later founded Barnarddi High School. A graduate of Handique Girls' College in the 1960s, she taught for over two decades as a founder teacher at this rural institution.
Notably, she worked without the security of a regular salary or pension, and the school was not provincialised during her tenure, highlighting her commitment to community education under challenging circumstances.
Return to Formal Education Through Distance Learning
Decades after her teaching career, Gauhati University's distance education programme provided Bhagabati with a pathway back to formal study. This opportunity culminated in her earning a second master's degree in her mother tongue, Assamese, demonstrating that age is no barrier to academic pursuit and personal growth.
