Retired In 1994, PhD At 81, Doctorate At 91: Dr NS Dhanam's Journey From Oil To Literature

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Once a senior executive in the oil industry, Dr Dhanam made headlines this year by earning an honourary Doctor of Literature (D.Litt.) degree from Vietnam National University
In a world where most hang up their boots after a long career, 91-year-old Dr NS Dhanam is defying age and convention, proving that the thirst for knowledge knows no expiry date. Once a senior executive in the oil industry, Dr Dhanam made headlines this year by earning an honourary Doctor of Literature (D.Litt.) degree from Vietnam National University. It's the latest chapter in an academic journey that began nearly 70 years ago and never really stopped.
His story, unfolding from the coastal town of Pithapuram in Andhra Pradesh to international academic acclaim, is a remarkable portrait of lifelong learning, discipline, and inner fire.
Born in 1934, Dr Dhanam was raised in a modest household in the East Godavari district. His early schooling took place in Visakhapatnam, at Mrs AVN High School, before he went on to earn a BSc from Andhra University in 1954. From a young age, Dhanam was intensely curious, a trait that would shape both his professional ascent and his post-retirement reinvention.
Dhanam's first innings unfolded in the demanding corridors of the oil industry. A man known for leadership and innovation, he served in key roles that helped steer the company through crucial phases of growth. In 1994, at the conventional retirement age of 60, he stepped away from the corporate world.
But instead of easing into a quiet life, Dhanam embarked on a different kind of journey, one not marked by boardrooms and business targets, but by reflection, questions of existence, and the deep dive into philosophy.
In 2015, well into his 80s, Dr Dhanam enrolled for a PhD in Philosophy at Andhra University. His doctoral advisor was none other than Professor KR Rajani, now Vice-Chancellor of Dr BR Ambedkar University in Srikakulam. His research was rooted in decades of spiritual reading, Bhagavad Gita, the Upanishads, and Brahma Sutras had long fascinated him. But it wasn't just about passive reading; his thesis explored the core questions of human life through these ancient texts.
He completed his PhD the same year he started it, at 81, battling not only rigourous intellectual demands but also age-related health challenges. Ten years later, that same dedication earned him a D.Litt., presented at a ceremony in Visakhapatnam where attendees rose in applause for the soft-spoken scholar.
Asked about the source of his vitality, Dr Dhanam credits years of attention to physical health. Living now in a senior citizen home in Bengaluru, he continues to follow a disciplined routine – daily walks, a few games of snooker, and a diet that balances mind and body. His mental clarity and physical fitness are testaments to decades of self-care.
Dr Dhanam's personal life has seen its share of solitude. His wife, Lakshmi, passed away in 2018. His two sons live abroad – Subbi, 67, is a marine engineer in Norway, while Krish, 63, is a well-known motivational speaker and author based in the US. Despite the physical distance, the family remains close-knit, and Dr Dhanam's achievements have been a source of pride across generations.
In a time when social media often elevates instant success and short attention spans, Dr Dhanam's journey is a powerful reminder of perseverance. He is not just a man who went back to school; he is a man who never really left it. His life reframes the idea of retirement, showing that the so-called 'golden years" can be fertile ground for reinvention and higher purpose.
From oil executive to philosopher, from East Godavari to international honour, Dr NS Dhanam's life is a lesson in resilience, curiousity, and the timeless power of education.
First Published:
June 10, 2025, 20:59 IST