It’s never too late: At 53,former minister slogs for High School exam

“On the first day,as I took my seat at Baijnath Inter College,the exam centre,all the students in the hall stared at me. But I did not hesitate or feel shy in sitting with them,” says Kori,a resident of village Padmanpur Bijoli (also know as Udaipur) in Rae Bareli. Now,the students talk to him and even discuss the question paper after the exam.

Kori was twice elected as MLA from Salon constituency in Rae Bareli on a BJP ticket. He was also minister for social welfare between 1997 and 2002. On March 22,2009 Kori joined the Congress and was appointed state general secretary.

To prepare for exam,Kori takes tuition at home from a private teacher and also studies in a group with other HS candidates from his village.

“In my early days,when I was a contractor and used to visit different cities,I realised the importance of education. Since my financial condition was not good and had to take care of the family,I left studies and started earning. In 1998,when I returned to my village and started a new business I made it a point to give best education to our children. My wife Raj Kumari too has studied but only till Class VIII,” adds Kori.

The former minister has four sons and two daughters. The eldest son Kailash Kumar,who is posted in the Secretariat in Lucknow,completed his post graduation from Feroz Gandhi Post Graduation College,Rae Bareli. The other son works as a security officer with Air-India in Lucknow after he completed his post graduation from Lucknow University. Kori’s elder daughter Savita,a graduate,is a primary school teacher in Rae Bareli. The rest study in classes I,IV and VII.

“Before deciding on restarting my studies,I took the opinion of my family members and they were only appreciative of my decision,” says Kori.

His son Ashok says that they were taken aback by his decision at first,“but since we know how much our father values education,we appreciate his decision”.

His party,the Congress,too,is happy and supportive of his decision. “Our party stands for awareness and education and it is a happy thing that a member who had not completed his education has decided to appear for the High School exams even at this age,” says Akhilesh Pratap Singh,UPPCC spokesperson.

According to Kori,he also wants to set an example. “I wish to set an example and send across the message that it is never too late to complete your education,” adds Kori.