KOCHI: Thankamma is 75 years old. While working under NREGA, she is doing her degree in a regular college with students of her grandchildren's age. Meanwhile, a desire arose to dance on her college day. For that, Thankamma is practising dance along with her studies and work. The decision is to rock the stage on her next college day with a dance solo with Ghungroos on her feet. She also wants to go on stage at a temple festival.

Thankamma is taking semi-classical dance lessons under Sumi Rajeesh of UpBeats Cultural Academy in Elanji. Last year, Thankamma, a native of Alapuram, Koothattukulam, joined VISAT College in Elanji for B.Com Honours. She decided to dance solo for the college anniversary because she could not dance with her classmates who were the same age as her grandchildren.

Thankamma, who battled life challenges with her two children after the death of her husband in 1995, started her further studies at the age of 70. She had studied up to the eighth standard when she was young. She passed the tenth standard and plus two through the equivalency course. Thankamma studied while working under NREGA. Then, with the special permission of MG University, she joined college at the age of 74. Meanwhile, she also completed the training of the Fire Force's Civil Defence Force. Thankamma also travelled to Dubai under the sponsorship of an online channel.

Not made a 'mate', studied to satisfy her desire

Thankamma could not become an NREGA mate as she did not have a 10th standard qualification. Taking up that challenge, she joined the equivalent class in 2019 and passed the 10th standard. Still, she was not considered for the mate status because she was 70 years old. Undeterred by this, Thankamma set out for further studies. She still goes to NREGA work during college holidays and during class days with the permission of her teachers.