Country’s oldest learner Karthyayani Amma passes away, Kerala CM offers condolences

Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India]: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday expressed grief and offered his condolences on the demise of Karthyayani Amma, the oldest learner under the Literacy Mission in Kerala.

Karthyayani Amma (born 1922) passed away yesterday evening at Haripad in the Alappuzha district of Kerala at the age of 101.

The Kerala Chief Minister took to his social media handle X and said that her passing away is a significant loss to the literacy movement, which helped shape modern Kerala.

“Deeply saddened by the passing of Karthyayani Amma, who made history by becoming the oldest learner under the State Literacy Mission. She served as an inspiring role model for many, showing unwavering determination to pursue education despite challenges. Her demise is a significant loss to our literacy movement, which helped shape modern Kerala. Heartfelt condolences,” Vijayan posted on X.

Karthyayani Amma had passed a literacy examination with top marks at the age of 96. She also received the Nari Shakti Puraskar Award the highest civilian award for a woman by the government of India.

She was appointed as the Goodwill Ambassador of the Commonwealth of Learning for the promotion of distance education among 53 member countries.

In August 2018, Karthyayani Amma took an examination alongside 40,362 other people, as part of the Kerala State Literacy Mission Authority’s Aksharalaksham (“Million Letter”) programme.

She was the oldest person to take the test in her district. She had been given lessons in reading and writing by her great-grandchildren. Tested on reading, writing and mathematics, Karthyayani Amma scored 98 out of a possible 100 marks, giving her the top grade.

Karthyayani Amma overcame the “I’m Too Old” mindset and proved that success has no age limit. She became an inspiration to hundreds of women across the country.

Inspired by her story, Indian chef and restaurateur Vikas Khanna made a documentary on Karthyayani Amma called ‘Barefoot Empress’, which chronicles her journey and spirit.