Mumbai: Mangala Popat Thoke (68), fondly called “Aaji” by her classmates, has cleared her Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examination with 60% marks—turning a lifelong aspiration into reality. A resident of Vikhroli, Thoke says returning to school was not a sudden decision, but the culmination of a dream that had lingered for decades.“It was always at the back of my mind,” she says. “It was like a dream come true, the fulfilment of a long and cherished dream.”Thoke’s education had been interrupted early in life. Growing up in a modest household—her father worked for a tailor—financial and social constraints dictated her path. Marriage followed, then motherhood. With five daughters to raise, then seven grandchildren, and a household to run, education slipped out of reach.“After my sisters got married, I got married. Then my children were born. There was simply no time or ability financially or socially to continue studying,” she recalls. “But the thought always nagged me that I needed to be educated.”It was only after the death of her husband, a peon with a company, that she allowed herself to return to a long deferred ambition, enrolling at Sharada Night School and Junior College in Vikhroli.Her days, even as a student, remained demanding. She would wake up early, cook and pack meals, finish household chores, and then sit down to revise. The day often involved stepping out for community work before heading to school in the evening from 6.30pm to 9.30pm. Late nights were reserved for further study.Despite the rigour, Thoke describes her return to the classroom with warmth. “The teachers made it very easy for me and really supported me. It was a really fun time for me going to school.”In class, age became a bridge rather than a barrier. Younger students addressed her as “Aaji” or “Aai”, often turning to her for guidance even as they helped her grasp difficult concepts. “They would correct me if I was wrong and help me when I didn’t understand something. I would guide them where I could. They really accepted me,” she says.Reflecting on how education has changed over the years, Thoke remains philosophical. “It is quite the same. It all depends on the individual and how much they want it. In the end, we only have ‘pryatna and parmeshwar’ (effort and God).”It was her teachers’ advice that stayed with her through the exams: finish what you start. “They always said one thing: you always complete the paper, no matter what happens.”Today, Thoke sees her achievement as a message beyond her own life. “My children and grandchildren now know that their Aaji proved something, that their Aaji did something,” she says.Even in retirement, she believes purpose should not fade. “Anyone, man or woman, should fulfil their innermost desire, something that gives them purpose and motivates them to keep going.”
