Age no barrier: 72-year-old and mother-daughter duo appear for NEET in Telangana

HYDERABAD: In an inspiring display of determination and lifelong learning, a 72-year-old woman and a 38-year-old mother from Telangana appeared for the NEET exam on Sunday, challenging age norms and personal setbacks to pursue their educational dreams.

In Kakinada, Potula Venkatalakshmi became a symbol of resilience as she walked into the Government Women’s Polytechnic College, the designated NEET exam centre, to sit for the test. Observers at the centre were visibly moved by her enthusiasm and dedication. Her presence served as a powerful reminder that learning knows no age limit.

In another remarkable case, Bhukya Saritha, a 38-year-old from Manchyanayak Thanda in Tungaturthy mandal of Suryapet district, also appeared for the NEET exam — as did her daughter, though at a different location. Saritha had to abandon her final year of BSc Nursing in 2007 due to marriage, followed by family responsibilities and the birth of her two daughters. Now working as an RMP practitioner alongside her husband Bhukya Kishan, also an RMP, she had long harboured the dream of completing her medical education.

When her daughter Kaveri began preparing for NEET in Khammam, Saritha felt a renewed sense of purpose. Motivated by her daughter’s ambitions, she decided to sit for the exam herself. On Sunday, Saritha appeared for the test at the Government Junior College in Suryapet, while Kaveri took her exam at the NSP Camp Government High School centre in Khammam.

The stories of Venkatalakshmi and Saritha stand out in a highly competitive academic environment often dominated by younger candidates. They also reflect a broader shift in societal attitudes, where personal growth and education are increasingly seen as lifelong pursuits, not bound by age or circumstance.