Age is just a number for 96-year-old Karthiyani Amma, who surprised many by topping a literacy examination conducted by the Kerala government, scoring a stellar 98 out of 100. The state-run Kerala State Literacy Mission Authority (KSLMA) has certified that her mark is a record.
Karthiyani Amma, who hails from Haripad in Alappuzha district, was the oldest among the 43,330 candidates who appeared for the 'Aksharalaksham' test, a fourth standard equivalent examination. Out of this 42,933 candidates cleared the test.
Karthiyani Amma attended the literacy test at Kanichenallur UP school, Muttom, on August 10. The examination focused upon three core areas: reading, writing and mathematics. Karthiyani Amma secured 38 out of 40 in writing, and cent per cent in reading and maths.
At a function to be held in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will give away the certificate to those who passed the test from the district. Karthiyani Amma will also receive a special congratulatory certificate from the chief minister.
The 'Aksharalaksham' was launched earlier this year to achieve the target of 100 per cent literacy and help eradicate illiteracy among the marginalised groups.