It's never too late to learn, goes the old adage, and Raj Kumar Vaishya is proving just that by appearing for MA exams in the 97th year.

Born in 1920 in Bareilly, Raj Kumar did his graduation from University of Agra in 1938 and Bachelor of Laws in 1940. He always desired a Masters in Economics, but had to sacrifice his passion as he had a family to look after.

Now, 78 years later, Raj Kumar is taking the Economics Part-1 exam at Nalanda Open University. "The first day I went for the exam, some candidates, seeing my age, offered help using unfair means. However, I refused. It's a nice feeling to start studying again," he says.

For an exam spanning three hours, Kumar took 23 answer sheets. In fact, some of his fellow candidates were probably younger than his grandchildren. His next exam - the third of the course - is due on April 28.

Ram Kumar takes an exam for MA Economics. (Photo: India Today Group) Ram Kumar takes an exam for MA Economics. (Photo: India Today Group)

The university is taking great pride in Kumar's decision to take the exams at his age. When approached by Kumar, the university sent officials to his house to help in enrolment and even provided him all necessary study material. It also offered Kumar special privileges, but he turned them down.

Kumar retired from the post of general manager at a private Jharkhand firm way back in 1980. So, what motivated him start studying now? "I am very disappointed with the acute poverty in India despite so many years of Independence. Where are the acche din? I want to understand economics myself and then perhaps debate this issue," he explains.

Kumar lives in Patna with Santosh, one of his three sons - all of whom have also retired from government jobs. Santosh Kumar is a retired professor from National Institute of Technology. He explained how after the death of their mother a decade back, his father did not have much to do and thus decided to pursue further studies.

"There is an atmosphere of academics in our house. I am a professor and so is my wife. I even give private tuitions to under privileged students for free. So, when my father expressed his desire to pursue his studies again, we all supported him," he added.