Jaipur, July 18: Phool Singh Meena, a Bharatiya Janata Party legislator representing the Udaipur Rural constituency in Rajasthan, has resumed schooling after a gap of 40 years. Meena, who is now 55 years of age, credits his daughters for inspiring him to complete his education.

The MLA, who is now preparing for BA first year exams despite the upcoming assembly elections in Rajasthan, said it is necessary for him to educate himself while preaching the children and youth of his constituency on the importance of formal education.

Meena claims he was forced to drop out from school nearly four decades ago as his father, who was serving in the Army, died. In order to meet the financial needs of his family, he left school and took up farming.

Ever since he entered politics, the MLA adds, his conscience pricked him for being Class 7 dropout. Although he wanted to resume studies, but was "sceptical due to his age".

A couple of years ago, however, he decided to prepare for Class 10 exams on the insistence of his daughters. Subsequently, he also cleared the Class 12 examinations from the state board.

Meena's teacher, Sanjay Lunawat, who is also the principal of the government senior secondary school at Manvakheda in Udaipur, says the legislator has never thrown tantrums and remained keen towards studies akin to a regular student.

Lunawat teaches Meena while the latter is travelling in his constituency or commuting to Jaipur to attend party meetings and legislative sessions. In the meanwhile, he records lectures on mobile phone and sends it to the MLA on WhatsApp.

Meena claims he would not stop after completing his graduation, but will also pursue a post-graduation course, followed by PhD.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 18, 2018 09:10 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).