#Wholesome2023: This 78-Year-Old Mizoram Man Walked 3kms To School Daily To Complete His Education

Lalringthara from Mizoram went back to school at the ripe old age of 78, in an attempt to fulfill his life-long dream of educating himself. They say learning is a process that continues throughout life, and Lalringthara proved it true.

Lalringthara's never quit attitude made for a #Wholesome2023.

Lalringthara rejoins schools at the age of 78/ BCCL

Wasn't able to complete education due to abject poverty

Born in 1945 at Khuangleng village of Champhai district along the Mizoram-Myanmar border, Lalringthara had been able to complete his education only till the second standard.

This was because he lost his father at a young age, which pushed the family into abject poverty.

Barely two years old after he lost his father, he was forced to help his mother in the fields. Lalringthara studied in Khuangleng till Class II. There was a break in his studies in 1995 when his mother shifted to New Hruaikawm village.

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It was only three years later that she was able to re-enroll him in Class 5. But disruptions in his education continued since he had to work in the paddy fields to make ends meet. He even took up a job as a guard in the local Presbyterian church to earn his living, a job that he currently holds.

Despite disruptions, he did manage to become literate in the Mizo language.

Age did not deter him from pursuing knowledge

In 2018, after nearly 70 years, Lalringthara enrolled in Class 5 in his New Hruaikawm village. He completed his middle school till class 8 and wanted to continue his education but there was no high school in his village.

So in April this year, Lalringthara went to the local Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan High School for admission.

The school authorities were naturally surprised, but admitted him to Class 9 and gave him the necessary books as well as uniform. Lalringthara walks 3 kilometres to school everyday, come rain, come sunshine.

General Knowledge Quiz in Hindi | Unsplash

TOI quotes Lalringthara as saying, "Age will not deter me from pursuing knowledge."

He desires to learn English so as to simply be able to write applications in English and to understand the news telecast on television.

Age no bar for enrollment in high school

Puia, a teacher at the RMSA school, said Lalringthara got admission as there is no age bar for enrollment in high school. "We are happy to be a part of his journey to fulfil his ambition. We will try our best to ensure that he completes high school," he said, as quoted by TOI.

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