Learning is not something we finish when we leave school or complete a degree, it is a lifelong journey. One writer once said that learning is the continuous discovery of our own ignorance. We realize how liltte we know when we stars learning. That is what makes learning so powerful, it never truly ends.
Few people embody this truth better than Varatha Shanmuganathan, a woman whose passion for education has defied both age and circumstance.
Varatha began her educational journey at just four years old in Sri Lanka. She was a curious child who grew into a determined young woman, always hungry for knowledge. After earning her first degree in India, she returned home to share her gift with others, teaching history and English to young students. Teaching was not just a job for her, it was a calling, a way to light up young minds.
But Varatha was not satisfied with stopping there. She went on to earn a teaching diploma and even a master’s degree in London. Many would have been content with such achievements, but Varatha believed that the pursuit of knowledge has no finish line.
At an age when most people have long settled into retirement, Varatha chose a different path. At 85 years old, she embarked on a new challenge: a second master’s degree in political science in Canada. While others might have thought it impossible, she pressed forward with courage and determination. Two years later, at the remarkable age of 87, she completed the program.
Even the pandemic could not derail her. Studying from home, supported by her daughter’s family, she attended online classes and defended her final paper over Zoom. Her classmates affectionately called her “grandma,” but rather than slowing her down, it only strengthened her resolve. She thrived on their energy and shared in their excitement, proving that learning is not reserved for the young, it is for the young at heart.
Now, Varatha is looking forward to writing a book about peace and justice in Sri Lanka, using her lifelong passion for knowledge to help create a better world. Her message to everyone is simple but powerful: “Learn not just for work, but to change the world.”
Her story is a reminder to all of us. We may not all pursue multiple degrees or study into our eighties, but we can choose to keep learning, about our surroundings, our communities, our families, and even ourselves. When we take time to understand others, we build bridges instead of walls. We learn how to listen, how to love, and how to live better together.
Varatha’s journey teaches us that it is never too late to grow, never too late to dream, and never too late to make a difference. Lifelong learning is not only about textbooks and classrooms; it is about curiosity, compassion, and courage. If an 87-year-old grandmother can still be a student, then what excuse do we have?
