Kochi, November 8: Karthyayini Amma, the 96-year-old woman who scored 98 marks out of 100 in the Aksharalaksham literacy exam in Kerala, expressed her wish to learn the computer. To fulfil her desire, state education minister C Raveendranath on Wednesday visited Karthyayini Amma's house and gifted her a laptop. Public education director KV Mohan Kumar was also present.

According to a report, Raveendranath had an official engagement in Cheppad in Alappuzha district when someone told him that Karthyayini Amma wanted a computer. The minister then visited a shop nearby and purchased a Dell laptop worth Rs 25,000 and gifted it to her in an official capacity. Raveendranath was left impressed when the nonagenarian typed her name in English on the laptop. 96-Year-Old Karthyayani Amma Tops Kerala’s Literacy Exam! Sets Record With 98% Marks. 

Driven by the urge to read and write, Karthyayini Amma had enrolled herself in the state literacy mission’s Aksharalaksham programme. She took help from a teacher and prepared for the exam. The 96-year-old, who never went to school in her life, surpassed with flying colours scoring 98 per cent. She scored 98 out of 100 marks and received a merit certificate from Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

On being asked if she copied during the exam, Karthyayani Amma told ANI, “I did not copy from anyone, rather I let others copy from me. I told them what to write.” She raised her family by working as a sweeper and domestic help, and lives with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 08, 2018 09:03 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).