Full Breakdown
85-Year-Old Haryana Veteran Completes MA, Plans PhD or Law Degree
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Achievement
On September 20, Lal Chand Godara, an 85-year-old former soldier from Sirsa, Haryana, finished a Master of Arts program through the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), scoring 965 marks out of 1,200. The milestone follows a graduation degree earned at age 81, and Godara has announced that a doctoral program or a law degree is his next academic target.
Life Journey and Context
Godara enlisted in the Indian Army before turning 20 and served in the 1962, 1965 and 1971 wars. After leaving the military, he worked as a Yard Master for the Haryana Transport Department from 1972 until his retirement in 2002. Post-retirement, he entered masters-level athletics, amassing roughly 200 medals—about 150 gold, 30 silver and 20 bronze—across state, national and international events. At 76, prompted by his grandchildren’s questions, he resumed formal studies; five years later he obtained a bachelor's degree, and at 81 he completed his graduation.
Data & Statistics
- MA score: 965 / 1,200 (IGNOU)
- Athletic honors: ~200 medals (?150 gold, 30 silver, 20 bronze)
- Academic timeline: Returned to books at 76 -> graduation at 81 -> MA at 85
Official Statements & Responses
Verbatim Quotes
- “My father completed his Masters in Arts programme from IGNOU. Prior to this, he also completed his graduation in 2023,” — Sahib Ram
- “My father had a keen desire for books since his youth. He also used to maintain a diary as writing always gave him a lot of satisfaction,” — Sahib Ram
- “Education remained an unfinished chapter in my life for years. Coming from a family where earlier generations had limited access to education, I always wanted to study. Circumstances, however, took me in a different direction.” — Lal Chand Godara