70-year-old woman in Coimbatore clears Class XII exams in first attempt

The Hindu

08-05-2025

N.T. Raani, a 70-year-old resident of Coimbatore, has cleared the Tamil Nadu Class 12 board examination as a private candidate in her first attempt, completing a long-deferred academic goal more than five decades after finishing her SSLC.
Ms. Raani grew up in Bodinayakanur, a small town in Theni district. She completed her SSLC in 1972–73, during the period when the Pre-University Course (PUC) system was in place. 'There were no colleges in my village at the time. My parents did not allow me to travel to Madurai, the nearest city, for higher studies,' she said.
Following her marriage, her family moved to Coimbatore. She focused on domestic responsibilities and raising her children. Although she briefly attended typewriting classes, she did not have the opportunity to continue formal education.
In 2020, following the death of her husband, Ms. Raani found herself living alone. Her son and daughter are settled in other cities, and she has three grandchildren. With more time at her disposal and a sustained interest in learning, she enrolled as a private candidate for the Higher Secondary Examination.
On Thursday, she received her Class XII results: a total score of 346 out of 600. Her subject-wise marks were: Tamil – 89, History – 52, English – 50, Economics – 48, Commerce – 67, and Accountancy – 40.
'I did not go to any classes or tuition. I studied on my own. My determination and concentration helped me,' she said.
Ms. Raani now plans to pursue a degree related to yoga. 'It is an area that interests me. I also enjoy travelling and often plan trips independently,' she said.