For former serviceman Lal Chand Godara from Sirsa, Haryana, age is just a number, which he has proven. At the age of 85, he successfully obtained a master's degree from the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). However, his desire to learn has not stopped; he is now preparing to obtain a PhD or study law.
Godara began resuming his studies at the age of 76, and it was questions from his grandchildren that motivated him to complete his unfinished education. He received a bachelor's degree in 2023, and subsequently, according to his son Dr. Sahib Ram Godara, completed the master's program at IGNOU.
Previously, Godara's education was interrupted by life circumstances. He joined the army before the age of 20, and after his service, he worked as a warehouse master in the Haryana Transport Department. After retiring in 2002, he engaged in sports, participating in athletics competitions among masters in Haryana and winning medals.
His eldest son said that Godara's interest in books was rekindled thanks to the questions asked by the children of his younger son. Sahib Ram noted that his father had always been fond of literature and kept diaries because writing brought him great satisfaction.
He continued to say that life circumstances prevented him from continuing his studies as he wished. However, the questions from his grandchildren stimulated his desire to read books, prompting him to restart his studies at the age of 76, despite his father having loved books since childhood. Godara emphasized that his journey demonstrates that the desire to learn should not cease at any age, and education broadens a person's horizons.