At 72, Guhla Cheeka MLA pursues MA in political science

Tribune News Service

Karnal, October 4

Setting an example, Ishwar Singh, JJP MLA from Guhla Cheeka in Kaithal district, has taken first year exams for MA in political science from Kurukshetra University at the age of 72.

As a private student, Singh took the last exam online on Sunday. He downloaded the question paper from the university website and wrote his answers, which he then scanned and sent to the university via email. He said although the technique was new, he learnt it as the exams were important. He said during lockdown he used his time by studying and appearing for exams online.

He already has master’s degrees in public administration and history. He is an LLB, LLM. He first became MLA in 1977 and at the time was only 10th pass. He later completed JBT and taught for some time before jumping into politics during Emergency. He was appointed the chairman of the Haryana School Education Board, but resigned due to his qualification.

“I became an MLA with only a Class 10 degree but was made the HSEB chairman by then CM Bhajan Lal. Although it was a great opportunity, somewhere at the back of my mind I felt I was not educated enough to make policies for students. So after only the second meeting of the Board, I resigned from the post and promised myself that I will fulfill my educational aspirations. Though the CM forced me to take my resignation back, I did not agree,” Singh said. After completing his term as the MLA, he completed Class 12 at the age of 34 and graduated at 37. He then did MA in history and later, on the advice of then KU VC, completed his LLB at 42 years of age. He then did an MA in political science.