As per its annual practice, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) Nagpur Regional Centre celebrated its 13th Foundation Day with the Theme “ IGNOU Education for Every Age Group – 20,40,60, 80+” with Student Speakers from respective age Groups. The Speakers shared their Objectives and experiences of studying in IGNOU. Prof Ravindra Bhusari was the Chief Guest.
The Function started with the lighting of Lamp. Dr P Sivaswaroop, Senior Regional Director in his welcome address, reviewed the progress of the Regional Centre and said that knowledge addition is a life long process and age has no significance if one has a desire to study. He said that the Theme of this year Foundation Day is to know from young age to old age (83years) IGNOU students. Dr Purushottam Shukla, 83 years and who is studying MA Psychology in IGNOU said that after around 50 years of his PhD, he joined as student in IGNOU out of his passion for Psychology. Because of the long gap in writing, his handwriting was not good. So he used write assignments 3 times, to improve his hand writing. During Corona also, he attended Online classes of not only Nagpur, but also other Regional Centres like Delhi, Kolkata, Ahmedabad. He appreciated the support received from Regional Centre and the Study Centre. Ms Sandhya Arvaind Dakhore, was widowed at the age of 21 and brought up her Son and Daughter to MTech and Homeopathic Doctor respectively. With the Inner Peace achieved through Brahmakumaris and her children settled, she started and completed her Post Graduation in Public Administration in IGNOU. She says, she can now guide people on education opportunities available.
Shri Ramesh Lal Bhojwani (72 years) has completed two Post Graduation Degrees from IGNOU. He is a migrant from Pakistan and could not return back. He started his career as English Lecturer. His wife and both sons were Schizophrenic and two members died of it. He had huge mental agony to deal with them and earning for them. After retirement, he was lonely and to engage himself he started MA History from IGNOU and completed. Being faced mental illness in his own family, to understand he joined and completed MA Psychology also. He appreciated the systematic way of IGNOU in imparting Education. He said he learnt a lot through counseling classes, Lab Sessions, Internship and Project work. Ms Pratima Bonde is young, Polio Affected Girl. She got Polio at the age of 10 months and today she is Para Power Lifter. She has a World Ranking of 11, 8 Times National Champion. She joined for MBA in IGNOU and pursuing for a better Career.
Prof Ravindra Bhusari, Senior Swayam Sevak of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, said that these experiences are guiding points for everyone. He was moved by the strong will power shown by these students to pursue their Goals. He shared a similar story of Smt Sunanda Vaidya (90 years) (wife of Shri (late) M G Vaidya). She was married at an early age and was blessed with five sons and three daughters. She successfully completed Metric along with her elder son, then BA with another son and MA Sanskrit with her younger son in her Sixties. She is equally enthusiastic to pursue Ph D now in her nineties, with her grand daughter! He also referred Deen Dayal Upadhyay’s sad story, who lost all his family members including his parents, brothers, Grand Parents at a young age. Even then he studied and stood First in the Board Exams. Prof Bhusari said that one should have a conviction and should not be diverted by the Problems faced, may be age wise or other problems.
The Programme was conducted by Mr. Rajesh Wasnik and Vote of Thanks proposed by Mr Chandrasekhar Rajgure. Prof RP Thakre, Dr Sasicoumar, Dr Venkateswarlu and other members were present.