At 91, retd oil exec proves its never late, gets PhD & D Litt
Visakhapatnam: He is 91 and still learning. For
Dr NS Dhanam
, the thirst for knowledge did not end with retirement. At 81, he earned a PhD in philosophy from Andhra University in 2015, which was followed by a recent D. Litt. from
Vietnam National University
at 91."I
focused on my physical health for the last several decades, which has kept me going. I thoroughly enjoyed my professional life, and I am now reaping its benefits – both physical and mental – thanks to my commitment to knowledge and fitness," Dhanam told TOI.Born in 1934 in Pithapuram, East Godavari, he completed his secondary education at Mrs AVN High School in Visakhapatnam and BSc at Andhra University in 1954.
After starting his career in the govt sector as a dispatch clerk (LDC), he soon transitioned to the private sector. Beginning with various roles at Caltex Oil Refining India Ltd. in Visakhapatnam and later with other organisations, he rose through the ranks over nearly four decades, ultimately serving as a vice president and joint managing director. His expertise took him around the world, with assignments in South Korea, Bahrain, Oman, the Philippines etc.It was after retiring in 1994 that he resolved to further his education, marking the beginning of a new phase in his life.He first completed a postgraduate degree in philosophy, and later, under the guidance of professor KR Rajini (the present vice chancellor of Dr BR Ambedkar University, Srikakulam), earned a PhD in 2015. Recently, he was awarded a D.Litt. at the age of 91.Dr Dhanam said that since the 1970s he had been deeply engaged with the Bhagavad Gita, the Upanishads and the Brahma Sutras. He said he dedicated himself to unravelling life's fundamental mysteries, including the nuanced interplay of free will and determinism, which formed the basis of his D.Litt. research.After 62 years of marriage, his wife Lakshmi passed away in 2018. The couple had been living in Bengaluru, where he now resides in a senior citizens' home. His elder son, Subbi (67), is a marine engineer based in Norway, while his second son, Krish Dhanam (63), is a motivational speaker, executive coach and author settled in the US.Today, at 91, he remains physically active, adhering to a daily routine that includes walking, playing snooker and maintaining a balanced lifestyle. He said he kept his mind active through regular reading, writing and engagement with complex philosophical works."The mind must stay active and we should all keep knocking at the door of knowledge," he said.
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