Hamirpur, July 8 (UDN): While most people look forward to a quiet retirement, 75-year-old Milkhi Ram from Himachal Pradesh has chosen a different path—one driven by an unwavering passion for education. Already the holder of 32 academic degrees and qualifications, the lifelong learner has once again taken an examination, reinforcing the belief that learning has no age limit.
A resident of the Gandar area in Kangra district, Milkhi Ram recently appeared for the Master of Arts (Sanskrit) examination at the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) study centre in Hamirpur. The programme is recognised as equivalent to the traditional Acharya degree. As the oldest candidate at the examination centre, his presence drew admiration from fellow students and invigilators alike.
Milkhi Ram’s educational journey spans more than five decades. After joining the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department in 1972, he pursued higher education alongside his professional responsibilities. He completed his bachelor’s degree in 1976 and continued to enrol in academic programmes while balancing work and family life.
By the time he retired as a Grade-I officer in 2010, he had already earned 26 degrees. Since then, his academic accomplishments have continued to grow. His qualifications include B.Ed., LL.B., MBA, M.Phil., a Ph.D. in Hindi, Journalism, and postgraduate degrees in Hindi, Political Science, Sociology, History, English and Economics, among other disciplines.
Speaking about his lifelong pursuit of knowledge, Milkhi Ram said education is the greatest wealth a person can possess and that age should never become a barrier to learning. He encouraged young people to remain committed to their studies and to view education as a continuous process rather than a destination.
He also acknowledged the unwavering support of his wife, Vidya Devi, and other family members, crediting them for helping him pursue his academic ambitions over the years.
Officials at the IGNOU study centre lauded his dedication, describing him as a living example of lifelong learning. They said his remarkable journey demonstrates that determination, discipline and curiosity can inspire people across generations and prove that the pursuit of knowledge never truly ends.
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