87-year-old woman takes admission in IGNOU course to beat loneliness

LUCKNOW: At a time when retired life transforms an elderly into a recluse, an 87-year-old woman Lakshmi Srivastava decided to go back to studies. The senior citizen from UP’s capital became the first person to enrol for a certificate programme with Indira Gandhi National Open University.
Looking forward to her course, Lakhmi is now waiting for her course material and assignments to acquire a skill that will help her lead a better life.“I have taken admission in a course related to food and nutrition – a must for healthy ageing. I think I will benefit directly from the knowledge gained besides being able to help other lead a better life,” she told TOI.
A permanent resident of Mahanagar based old age hospital for elderly, Lakshmi is a retired government school principal with post graduate degrees in Sanskrit and Geography. The elderly home had invited IGNOU faculty members to spend some time with the residents. In the course of conversation, they offered the elderly to join their courses. While over 50 others didn’t welcome the idea, Lakshmi came forward.
“She has proved that there is no age to learn,” said Kirti Vikram Singh, assistant director, IGNOU regional centre Lucknow adding, “Lakshmi ji finished her studies in 1955 and retired from services in 1992.”
Lakshmi has already started inspiring others. One of them is 93 year old Paras Nath Pathak. “It is a good way to engaged oneself and avoid many negative thoughts,” said Pathak who is yet to decide on the course he would take up.
Regional director, IGNOU, Lucknow, Manorama Singh said that Laksmi was a role model for elderly. “IGNOU is bearing the cost of her course as we intend to cite her example for others.
Geriatric physician Dr Abhishek Shukla said that Laksmi and Paras Nath have shown the way. “Those staying in homes often fall in the trap of depression which adversely impacts their health. We encourage elderly to engage themselves and distance learning courses have come up as a good option,” he said.
In a meta-analysis of 74 studies -- which included 4.87 lakh elderly individuals -- worldwide prevalence of depressive disorders was found to be upto 16%.
According to a WHO report, patients over 55 years with depression have a four times higher death rate than those without depression, mostly due to heart disease or stroke.