In Nepal, where illiteracy is widespread, an elderly man with over 12 grandchildren has gained fame for his efforts to get an education. Bal Bahadur Karki, known as Writer Baje, was born in 1917 and fought in the second world war. At the age of 84, after four attempts, he obtained his School Leaving Certificate. Now, at the age of 86, he is taking a college course. He is majoring in English and even tutors others in the language. Sitting at a desk surrounded by young people helps him to forget his age and feel young again, he says. On his last trip to the capital, Kathmandu, he received prizes and a thunderous1 ovation for his accomplishments. He encouraged others not to give up just because they are old. However, Writer Baje voiced a complaint. He had been forced to walk three days in order to catch a bus because he was denied a discount and could not afford the regular airfare.2 He told The Kathmandu Post: “The airlines should give me a student discount as I am also a student.”
In Nepal, where illiteracy is widespread, an elderly man with over 12 grandchildren has gained fame for his efforts to get an education. Bal Bahadur Karki, known as Writer Baje, was born in 1917 and fought in the second world war. At the age of 84, after four attempts, he obtained his School Leaving Certificate. Now, at the age of 86, he is taking a college course. He is majoring in English and even tutors others in the language. Sitting at a desk surrounded by young people helps him to forget his age and feel young again, he says. On his last trip to the capital, Kathmandu, he received prizes and a thunderous1 ovation for his accomplishments. He encouraged others not to give up just because they are old. However, Writer Baje voiced a complaint. He had been forced to walk three days in order to catch a bus because he was denied a discount and could not afford the regular airfare.2 He told The Kathmandu Post: “The airlines should give me a student discount as I am also a student.”