Mumbai's 'Aaji' Achieves Academic Milestone at 68
Mangala Popat Thoke, a 68-year-old resident of Vikhroli in Mumbai, has successfully cleared her Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examination with an impressive 60 percent marks. Fondly referred to as 'Aaji' by her younger classmates, she has turned a long-cherished dream into reality.
Thoke's journey back to school was not a spontaneous decision but the culmination of a desire that had lingered for decades. 'It was always at the back of my mind,' she said. 'It was like a dream come true, the fulfilment of a long and cherished dream.'
Early Life and Interrupted Education
Growing up in a modest household where her father worked as a tailor, financial and social constraints dictated Thoke's path. Marriage followed soon after, and then motherhood. With five daughters to raise, seven grandchildren to care for, and a household to manage, education slipped out of reach. 'After my sisters got married, I got married. Then my children were born. There was simply no time or ability financially or socially to continue studying,' she recalled. 'But the thought always nagged me that I needed to be educated.'
Return to School After Husband's Death
It was only after the death of her husband, who worked as a peon at a company, that Thoke allowed herself to pursue her deferred ambition. She enrolled at Sharada Night School and Junior College in Vikhroli. Her daily routine remained demanding even as a student: she would wake up early, cook and pack meals, finish household chores, and then sit down to revise. The day often involved stepping out for community work before heading to school in the evening from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Late nights were reserved for further study.
Supportive Teachers and Classmates
Despite the rigour, Thoke describes her return to the classroom with warmth. 'The teachers made it very easy for me and really supported me. It was a really fun time for me going to school,' she said. In class, age became a bridge rather than a barrier. Younger students addressed her as 'Aaji' or 'Aai', often turning to her for guidance even as they helped her grasp difficult concepts. 'They would correct me if I was wrong and help me when I didn't understand something. I would guide them where I could. They really accepted me,' she added.
Philosophy on Education and Life
Reflecting on how education has changed over the years, Thoke remains philosophical. 'It is quite the same. It all depends on the individual and how much they want it. In the end, we only have pryatna and parmeshwar (effort and God).' It was her teachers' advice that stayed with her through the exams: finish what you start. 'They always said one thing: you always complete the paper, no matter what happens.'
Inspiring Family and Community
Today, Thoke sees her achievement as a message beyond her own life. 'My children and grandchildren now know that their Aaji proved something, that their Aaji did something,' she said. Even in retirement, she believes purpose should not fade. 'Anyone, man or woman, should fulfil their innermost desire, something that gives them purpose and motivates them to keep going.'
