Karthiyayini Amma, winner of Nari Shakti Puraskar, who shot to fame in 2018 at the age of 96 when she enrolled in Kerala's state literacy mission programme, Aksharalaksham, passed away on Wednesday, October 11. She was101-years-old. Fondly called Akshara Muthassi (Alphabet granny), Karthiyayini Amma passed away in her hometown of Muttom in Cheppad of Alappuzha.
In 2018, she enrolled in the programme as the oldest student in the whole of Alappuzha and Kerala, when the gram panchayat's literacy mission team came to her home. The next year, she topped Aksharalakhsam exams and scored 98% in Malayalam. Karthyayini Amma was inspired to study after her 60-year-old daughter, Ammini Amma, passed the literacy mission’s course, which is equivalent to Class 10 in the formal education system.
Karthyayani Amma had dropped out of school at the age of 12 to work at nearby temples, where she washed vessels and swept the premises. She was married at the age of 18 and became a mother of six children. When her youngest child was only 28 days old, her husband had passed away, leaving her to become the sole breadwinner for the family.
In 2020, Karthiyayini Amma, was awarded the Union Government’s Nari Shakti Puraskar - India’s highest civilian award for recognising the achievements and contributions of women - for her contribution towards women’s empowerment. She had completed her Class 4 equivalency exams conducted by the Kerala Literacy Mission, and scored 30 on 30 for her reading test, 40 on 40 for Malayalam writing and 28 out of 30 for Mathematics.
Read: Never too old for school: Meet the 96-yr-old student in Alappuzha's literacy mission
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the demise of Karthiyayini Amma is a significant loss to Kerala’s literacy movement. “Deeply saddened by the passing of Karthyayani Amma, who made history by becoming the oldest learner under the State Literacy Mission. She served as an inspiring role model for many, showing unwavering determination to pursue education despite challenges. Her demise is a significant loss to our literacy movement, which helped shape modern Kerala. Heartfelt condolences,” he said.
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