100-year-old freedom fighter enrols for PhD

Guwahati, Oct 18 (PTI) Age is no bar for 100-year-old
freedom fighter Bholaram Das of Assam who on his 100th
birthday announced his enrolment for PhD programme at Gauhati
University.
The oldest university student perhaps in the state and
India, centenarian Das during his birthday celebrations last
weekend said he had enrolled for the doctoral programme.
"I thought I must work towards a PhD that could satisfy
my hunger for learning," Das said.
An inspiration for both young and old scholars, Das
intended to conduct his research on how his native village
Bohori in lower Assam contributed towards the spread of the
egalitarian stream of Hinduism -- neo-Vaishnavite movement
propagated by 16th century social and religious reformer Sri
Sri Sankardeb -- across north east Indian state of Assam.
"In my 100 years, I have done many things in the fields
of politics, governance, religion and society. So now I am
planning to study the subject close to my heart --
neo-Vaishnavism's philosophies of one god and humanism," Das
said.
The university's vice-chancellor O K Medhi said he was
thrilled, "Because Das can be an inspiration for youth with
his formidable spirit and dedication to public service. It is
indeed rare to find a student who is 100 years old."
The university chancellor Governor J B Patnaik said Das
would stand out as a role model for the next generation.