Age can never hold you from what to achieve in life. This 75-year-old grandmother from Udupi, who started studying Sanskrit after retiring as principal of a Kerala school 15 years ago, is now going to get awarded a doctorate for her research on Saint Madhwacharya at Mangalore University convocation next month.
When she returned to Udupi after retirement, she decided to join SMSP Sanskrit College in Udupi. She was, perhaps, the only woman in the college at that time among students and teachers. She obtained an MA in Sanskrit from Karnataka State Open University, Mysuru, and a Vidwat with inspiration from Madhwa philosopher Bannanje Govindacharya.
Usha told: “I’ll be awarded PhD for my thesis — ‘Critical analysis of Sri Madhwacharya’s unique doctrines of ‘Jeevaswabhava vaada’ and ‘Sarvashabda Vachyatva of Vishnu’ — at the 40th Mangalore University convocation to be held on April 16. Other than dignitaries present during the convocation, my family, including my grandchildren, will be present to celebrate my success.”
Her doctoral guide was Dr M Padmanabha Marathe, director of Sri Durga Centre of PG Studies and research in Sanskrit, Kateel. It is only in recent years that women are coming forward to learn Vedic subjects in Sanskrit. She said, “The four-and-a-half years of my research work is dedicated to Bannanje Govindacharya. I’m indebted to guru Vidwan Sagri Raghavendra Acharya. For subjects like these, we cannot depend on the internet. The lockdown came as a blessing as I could devote more time to this work
Every grandmothers and mother are proud of Usha, really she is an inspiration showing age cant stop you from learning.
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