Age is never a constraint when we pursue something heartily. This Grandmother from Udupi is a living example.
Usha Chadaga is a 75-year-old grandmother hailing from Udupi. She served as the Principal of Santhana Public School in Thiruvanathapuram, Kerala. However, after retiring and returning to Udupi, she joined SMSP Sanskrit College in Udupi.
She recollects how she was perhaps the only woman in the college among students and teachers.
Her desire to master the language was impeccable. She received an MA Degree in Sanskrit from Karnataka State Open University (Mysuru) and a Vidwat in Sanskrit inspired by Bananje Govindacharya, a Madhwa Philosopher.
After that, she pursued her Doctorate in Sanskirt under the guidance of Dr. M. Padamanaba Marathe, Director of Sri Durga Centre of PG Studies and Research in Sanskrit (Kateel).
Dedicating her four and half years of research work to Bananje Govindacharya, she says the pandemic lockdown was a blessing and gave her more time to devote to the thesis work.
Usha told a leading Newspaper, “I will be awarded Ph.D. for my thesis—Critical Analysis of Sri Madhwacharya’s unique doctrines of ‘Jeevaswabhava Vaada’ and ‘Sarvashabda Vachyatva of Vishnu’—at the 40th Mangalore University Convocation to be held on April 16. Other than dignitaries present during the convocation, my family, including my grandchildren, will be present to celebrate my success.”
That’s a proud moment for a grandmother who will receive her doctorate in front of her grandchildren. She is also an inspiration for all senior citizens to come out and do something they have always loved; calling age doesn’t matter.