#GoodNews: 55-Year-Old BJP MLA Resumes Studies Through WhatsApp

55-year-old MLA from Udaipur, Phool Singh Meena, resumed his studies after 40 years and gave his first year BA exams on Tuesday, 17 July, Hindustan Times reported.

I had to give up studies after my father, who was in the army, died. I took to farming to take care of my family.

Phool Singh Meena, BJP MLA, Udaipur

The BJP MLA had studied till Class 7 before dropping out of school, but decided to resume his studies after being encouraged by his daughters. Speaking to Hindustan Times, Meena said:

My daughters reminded me that I interact with many people including senior officials, and leaders, so my education is important. But given my age, I was sceptical.

Phool Singh Meena, BJP MLA, Udaipur

Meena also realised that his speeches as a councillor, on the importance of education, may have come across as hollow, as he himself was uneducated.

I felt they (my daughters) were right. I used to tell people about the importance of education but I was not educated. It pricked my conscience, so I decided to resume my studies.

Phool Singh Meena, BJP MLA, Udaipur

Interestingly, the MLA took lessons over WhatsApp while traveling from constituency to constituency for political work.

His teacher Sanjay Lunawat, the principal of the Government Senior Secondary School at Manvakheda near Udaipur, said:

I teach him while we are travelling from one place to another. Or I record the lessons as audio, and send them to him on WhatsApp, and he listens to them while travelling for work.

Sanjay Lunawat

To his teacher, Meena is a humble and committed student who has fought the odds to finish his studies.

He resumed studies after 40 years. Even at his age, he’s dedicated and is using technology to learn. He did not make excuses for not appearing in exams despite it being an election year.

Sanjay Lunawat

And he won't stop here. Lunawat told Hindustan Times that the MLA plans to pursue his post-graduate degree and then a PhD.

(With inputs from Hindustan Times)