In a heartwarming tale of determination and lifelong dreams, Salima Khan, a 92-year-old great-grandmother from the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India, has embarked on a remarkable educational journey.
Born around 1931 and married off at the tender age of 14, two years before the end of British colonial rule in India, Salima Khan's remarkable story has inspired not only her community but the world at large.
Salima Khan, who grew up in a time when schools were a distant dream for girls in her village, harbored a lifelong aspiration to read and write.
Six months ago, against all odds, she took her first steps into a classroom, where her fellow pupils were eight decades younger. Her dedication to learning is nothing short of inspirational.
Khan's incredible journey to education became public after a video of her confidently counting from one to 100 went viral on social media. In her own words, "My grandchildren used to trick me into giving them extra money as I couldn't count currency notes. Those days are gone."
India, with a literacy rate of approximately 73 percent according to the 2011 census, still grapples with educational disparities in various regions. Salima Khan's story serves as a testament to the belief that the pursuit of knowledge knows no age limits.
Local education officer Lakshmi Pandey expressed her admiration for Salima Khan, stating, "Her story reinforces the belief that the pursuit of knowledge is not limited by age." It was volunteers from a government education initiative who identified Khan as a potential student and encouraged her to attend school.
Initially, teachers were hesitant about teaching Khan, given the age difference, but they were won over by her unwavering passion for learning. Pratibha Sharma, the school headmistress, explained, "We didn't have the heart to refuse her." Salima Khan's journey has not only changed her life but has also brought about positive change in her village. Since her enrollment in school, 25 women from her village have also started literacy classes, including two of her daughters-in-law.
Salima Khan's story of late-life education evokes memories of the late Kimani Ng'ang'a Maruge from Kenya, who holds the Guinness World Record as the oldest person to complete primary school. Maruge, a former Mau Mau guerrilla fighter against British colonial forces, enrolled in school in 2004 at the age of 84 with the goal of learning to count money and read the Bible. His determination earned him the title of "senior head-boy."
Salima Khan's educational journey not only breaks down age-old barriers but also inspires generations to follow their dreams, no matter how late in life they may seem. Her story serves as a reminder that the pursuit of knowledge is a timeless and noble endeavor, capable of changing lives and communities for the better.
