Wish Fulfilled: 4 Decades After Dropping Out Of School, Odisha MLA Appears For Class X Boards

Angada, who studied at AJO High School, Phulbani, had moved on to farming after giving up studies. “Though I had tried several times to appear for the boards, I could not do so because of my commitments,” the MLA said.

Bhubaneswar: At the age of 56, BJD MLA from Phulbani, Angada Kanhar has fulfilled his long awaited dream — to appear for class 10 examinations. Kanhar, who left education in the year 1978 due to family reasons, is proving the old saying that “age is no bar for learning.” The Biju Janata Dal MLA appeared for the first paper in the ongoing Matric examination being conducted by the Board of Secondary Education (BSE).

Kanhar was seen along with his two friends appearing for the English paper at Rujangi High School.  Before entering the examination hall, Kanhar told news agency ANI, “I was in my class 10 in 1978, but was unable to appear for exams due to some family issues. Recently, I was told that many people at the age of 50 or more are appearing for exams. So, I too decided to appear for the board exams. There is no age barrier to appear for exams or to get educated.”

Kanhar is not the sole politician, who is appearing for the examination. He is being joined by one of his friends who is a Sarpanch.

“We are conducting board Exams at our centre which is open school exams. This is a special exam conducted for those who had to leave their studies midway for some reason. As many as 63 students have appeared for SIOS exam at our centre including Phulbani MLA Angad Kanhar and one of his friend who is a Sarpanch. This examination will get over by May 10,” said Archana Bas, Headmistress, Rujangi High School.

Kanhar, a farmer by profession, was elected as Phulbani MLA on BJD ticket for the first time during the 2019 Assembly elections. Known for his humble and down to earth living, Kanhar had been actively involved in panchayat politics since 1984. Prior to being elected as an MLA he had also served as zilla parishad member in Phiringia block of the district.

A total of 5.8 lakh students are appearing for the Class 10 state board examination in Odisha that commenced on Friday.