Around 5.8 lakh students appeared for the exam and lawmaker Angada Kanhar was one among them. An MLA of Phulbani, Kanhar said it was his dream to appear for the Class X examination.
Cuttack: Almost 40 years after dropping out of school, a 56-year-old MLA of the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Friday appeared for his Class X examination amid tight security in the Kandhamal district.
According to reports, around 5.8 lakh students appeared for the exam and lawmaker Angada Kanhar was one among them. An MLA of Phulbani, Kanhar said it was his dream to appear for the Class X examination.
Talking to the media after his exam, Kanhar said, “My studies got discontinued due to some family problems but when I saw there are plenty of other people who complete their studies at my age or even after that, I thought to myself that I will do it come what may.”
Kanhar added, “Initially I was a bit scared but then my family members, friends and others helped me gain confidence and finally I could sit for the exam.
On Friday, Kanhar (56) wrote his second language paper at the Rujangi High School in Pitabari village of Kandhamal district. “Some of the panchayat members and my driver encouraged me to appear for the examination. I don’t know whether I will pass the test or fail but I have written my paper with the intention of getting a matriculation degree,” he was quoted by news agency PTI.
Meanwhile, Archana Basa, the superintendent of the MLA’s examination centre, said that the legislator was given no special treatment. Basa added that he was not the only elderly student. “A sarpanch also appeared for the exam and many others who could not finish their studies due to several problems appeared for the open examination.”