Meet India's Oldest Teacher Santamma

Meet India's oldest teacher Santamma : With 2 walking sticks in her hands she reaches the classrooms of Centurian University in Andhra Pradesh by travelling 60 kms daily by bus to teach. She is Santamma aged 95 years old who teaches Medical Physics, Radiology & Anesthesia. Under her guidance, 17 students have completed their Doctorates (PhD). She has translated Bhagwat Gita into English and Telugu languages besides being involved in extensive research works. Her aim is to record her name as the oldest Professor in the Guinness Book of World records. Such a great inspiration to us all. If you have a strong will and determination, no age can stop you from achieving anything. Let's all be inspired by her to do something different and Great. Let's pay our heartiest Tributes to this 95 years old Great Lady Teacher Santamma. https://youtu.be/U3QE-qVMXMQ?si=QG_Az5orBNzWoplc Bonus : Priorities in life In the Indian tradition, an individual's life is divided into four Ashramas : https://www.speakingtree.in/blog/four-ashramas-in-hinduism The priorities in life during the four Ashramas are distinctly different. Like : During Bramacharya Brahmam is the Divinity, the ultimate truth. Charya means to conduct, to proceed, to follow. Brahmacharya means conduct, consistent with Brahmam – the ultimate truth. It means to be in complete control of Chitta, a state of mind, to gain Brahma Dnyana (ultimate knowledge). Note : Let's keep this in mind while telling today's children and youth (Brahmacharis, age group 5 to 25) to concentrate on studies, care about health and hygiene and pick up skills that will help in later life... During Grahastha After the bachelor life of Brahmacharya, it used to be the time for the next step, called Grihastha Ashrama. Griha means household, and Astha means being in, where a student will become a married individual, acquiring his duties of maintaining the home, raising a family, educating the children, and contributing to society. This Ashrama usually started in the 26th year and used to last till he reached his late 50s. Note : Whether one gets married and accepts this Ashrama or not, this is the period (Age 26 to 50), youth have to play a productive role in society, supporting elders, earning enough for self and dependents to survive and saving for post-50 life. If one is lucky to have ancestral assets, one should ensure that they are well managed and one is not a parasite on the family tree sucking it dry. During Vanaprastha Vana means the jungle, and Prasthan represents the departure. After Grihastha Ashrama, when the individual reached 51, it was time to retire, hand over the responsibilities to the next generation, and gradually withdraw from the world. As he had completed responsibilities related to Dharma, Artha, and the Kama, now it was time to fulfill the last pursuit of Moksha or liberation. This tradition has been going on in the Indian subcontinent for thousands of years. Note : This is the best part of one's life (Age 51 to 75). Start giving back to the society, whatever way one is destined to. Pursuit of hobbies beneficial to self, family and society in that order, taking up writing, teaching or spiritual pursuit or traveling for some purpose or taking up new business or work all depends on how one has evolved during the previous 50 years. Sanyasa Ashrama : After one fulfills one duty of guiding the society, it’s time to take a step towards renunciation. After 70, when an individual completes his tasks in Vanaprastha Ashrama, he proceeds towards the exit from worldly life. He shall focus on a simple and spiritual life, devoid of any of the possessions. If someone is inclined towards asceticism, the provision has been made in Hinduism so that the person can directly go from Brahmacharya Ashrama to the Sanyasa Ashrama, and that is the reason, even at this age, you can see many yogis of young age in the saffron clothes, pursuing spirituality in India. Note : One has to take care of oneself during this period (Age 75 plus). To the extent possible one should be self-reliant. The care one has taken to maintain one's health, relationships and overall assets management will start giving results. Depend on those whom you have helped and supported from age 25 to 75. Keeping the above as broad guidelines, we can prioritise our activities and plan our life and guide others to set their goals. M G Warrier