Pune Woman Fulfills Childhood Dream to Earn MA in English Literature at 65
Pune, 23rd April 2025: A remarkable journey of perseverance and dedication culminated yesterday as 65-year-old Pune (Clover Highlands, Kondhwa) resident Lakshmi Aruna Gorthi successfully completed her Master of Arts in English Literature from Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU).
After enrolling in 2023, Lakshmi received her final scores on April 21, 2025, fulfilling a childhood dream while managing her daily responsibilities and occasional health challenges. Her academic path began decades ago with her graduation from Andhra University in 1979, followed by a B.Ed. degree from Madurai Kamaraj University in 1996. Her passion for learning remained undiminished as she pursued several short courses on grammar and creative writing through Coursera beginning in 2019, which ultimately built her confidence to pursue the master’s program.
“This achievement represents more than just an academic qualification,” her elder son stated. “It’s the realization of a lifelong passion for literature that she has carried since childhood.”
Throughout her studies, Lakshmi balanced academic requirements with household responsibilities. Her commitment to excellence led her to dedicate long hours of study each day to complete assignments and examinations. IGNOU’s distance learning program provided the flexibility she needed to pursue higher education while accommodating her personal responsibilities.
Lakshmi has been living in Pune where her husband currently heads the Neurology Department at Bharati Hospital. The supportive environment at home proved crucial to her success.
“Without the encouragement and confidence they all have in me, this wouldn’t be possible,” Lakshmi shared. “I thank my husband and elder daughter-in-law for patiently listening when I shared what I studied and for reviewing my assignments. I thank my younger son for filling the application form and my younger daughter-in-law for paying the fees. My elder son has been a great support, always providing all logistic and stationery needs I ever required. My limited vocabulary is not enough to express my gratitude.”
“Age is just a number if you have a strong desire. Push yourself and seek it,” advises Lakshmi, embodying the spirit of lifelong learning. Her accomplishment stands as an inspiration to others, demonstrating that determination and passion can overcome obstacles in pursuit of educational goals.
