Aleteia logoAleteia logoAleteia
Tuesday 10 December |
Aleteia logo
Inspiring Stories
separateurCreated with Sketch.

104-year-old Indian woman finally learns to read thanks to grandkids

ELDERLY WOMAN

Rayala rajashekhar | Shutterstock

Cerith Gardiner - published on 12/13/21

With loving support and a lot of determination, she also aced the exam.

It’s often easy to give up on long-held dreams, but a centenarian from Kerala — a state in India that was home to a number of prominent Indian saints — has demonstrated that you’re never too old to fulfill your dreams … especially when you’ve got family supporting you.

In a video by the BBC, Kuttiyamm, who’s 104-years-old, explained that she had always wanted to learn, and to even become a teacher. But household chores, marriage at 16, and feeding cattle kept her at home and away from her studies.

Finally, one year ago, the elderly grandmother started to learn to read and write thanks to her grandchildren. In fact, she explains that by watching her grandchildren study she was inspired to return to her childhood dream.

Incredibly, after one year she was able to complete an official test that measures literacy and scored an impressive 89 out of 100.

While we’ve talked about other impressive seniors fulfilling their dreams later on in life, there is something particularly beautiful about this determined 104-year-old who was able to rely on the support of the younger generations — and also something pretty incredible about her ability to hit the books without even needing glasses!

In becoming, no doubt, the country’s eldest ever test-taker, Kuttiyamma is an inspiration to many who worry that they’re getting too old to see their dreams come to fruition. However, her achievement is also a message to grandchildren everywhere that they can be a positive influence in their aging relatives’ lives.

Tags:
ElderlyFamilyInspiration
Enjoying your time on Aleteia?

Articles like these are sponsored free for every Catholic through the support of generous readers just like you.

Help us continue to bring the Gospel to people everywhere through uplifting Catholic news, stories, spirituality, and more.

Aleteia-Pilgrimage-300×250-1.png
Top 10
See More
Newsletter
Get Aleteia delivered to your inbox. Subscribe here.