Alappuzha: She is just three years shy of turning 100 but Karthyayani Amma's undying zest for learning has wowed the state. The 97-year old who secured the first place in 'Aksharalaksham' state literacy examination with a stellar score of 98 marks out of hundred, was honoured by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan in a ceremony held at state secretariat on November 1.
Manju Warrier, who is also the goodwill ambassador of Kerala state literacy mission authority (KSLMA,) paid a visit to Karthyayani Amma on November 4 to congratulate her on her success. When asked what her ambition was, the grandmother said she wanted to learn computers. And then, to the surprise of everyone present, she added one more wish. "I want to learn English, too," she said.
Earlier, when chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan presented her the certificate, she had told him of her wish to study computers. Then, she had also spoken of clearing more exams. But when Manju came calling visiting, she qualified her desire. "I want to write my tenth standard exams when I turn 100 and score 100 out of 100," she told the actor. The lady superstar was floored.
"This grandmother was dreaming big at an age when most people are content to simply sit and apply lime on betel leaves," Manju Warrier said in a Facebook post after the visit. The post was filled with amusement and joy of meeting the enduring talent that defied age. “I read the news about 97-year-old Karthyayani Amma, who defied her age by securing the first place in state literacy examination, with immense pleasure. As the goodwill ambassador of Kerala state literacy mission authority (KSLMA) I have a special love for this first-rank. May she score a 100 when she actually turns 100,” Manju Warrier wished Karthyayani Amma. The grandmother, who had regaled the chief minister with a few lines from Changampuzha's 'Ramanan', was overjoyed to meet her favorite screen actor. She remembered some of the movies acted by Manju Warrier and embraced the actor in joy.
The actor noted that "I have great joy to watch the activities of KSLMA reaping success. Let the glory of letters pass on to more people," Warrier added.
