File photo of Phool Singh Meena

JAIPUR: Age is just a number for 59-year-old BJP MLA Phool Singh Meena , who has enrolled himself in a graduation course, as he had to drop out from school due to his father's death.

BJP MLA from Udaipur rural, Meena, is a father of four daughters, who encouraged him to study again.

"After death of my father, I had to drop out of school and take up farming to take care of my family," Meena told PTI.

During a campaign to educate young tribal girls in the area, the MLA said he felt the need to get educated and was encouraged by her daughters to get back to school.

He filled the examination form from an open board for class 10 in 2013, but could not take the test due to his busy schedule as an MLA. But he appeared for exams in 2016 and cleared it. Then in 2016-2017, he passed class 12.

Meena said he was inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' campaign and encouraged ST and SC girls in his constituency to enrol themselves in schools. He announced free plane ride to Jaipur for girls scoring more than 80% in secondary and higher secondary examinations.

He said, "Two students were provided free plane rides to Jaipur in 2016 and six in 2017. They were felicitated by the chief minister and her cabinet colleagues and also given a tour of the state Legislative Assembly."

The MLA said, due to this campaign, the performance of girl students has improved.

Now, to motivate girls belonging to general category in his constituency, he has announced free plane rides for them also.

He said though he encouraged others to get educated, he felt deep pain that he himself could not continue his studies beyond class 7.

"While encouraging others to study, I felt deep pain that I did not complete my education. My daughters sensed the pain and motivated me to go back to school," he said.

Meena, who recently appeared for BA first year exams, believes if the people's representatives are educated, only then they can motivate others.

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