From parent to 'classmate': Kerala mother joins son in college
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Kothamangalam: In a heartwarming example of the power of education and family support, a 40-year-old mother and her 17-year-old son have enrolled as undergraduate students in the same college, MA College, located near Kothamangalam.
Poornima, the mother, has joined the first-year Bachelor of Arts in English programme, while her son, Vyshnav, is pursuing a first-year Bachelor of Commerce degree. What makes their story even more unique is that the duo shares the same classroom when attending language subject lectures.
Every morning, the two ride to college together on a two-wheeler, with Poornima at the helm. As Vyshnav is still 17 and not yet eligible for a full driving licence, he will have to wait until he turns 18 next year to ride on his own.
Despite their familial bond, once they enter the campus, they blend in as ordinary classmates. “I really wanted to pursue graduation a long time ago,” said Poornima, reflecting on her journey. “But due to several reasons, I couldn’t continue my studies. Then came marriage and motherhood. My husband Binu, has always been my biggest supporter and kept encouraging me to study. So I finally enrolled when the new academic year began last month.”
Poornima, a mother of two, said she has no difficulty bonding with her much younger classmates. “In class, we’re all equals. My long-held dream of studying in a college and earning a degree is now being fulfilled. Studying alongside my son brings me immense joy.”
Vyshnav, too, has taken this rare arrangement in stride. “There’s nothing awkward about it,” he said confidently. “There’s no reason to feel embarrassed.”
The two share lunch during breaks, drawing attention as they walk across the campus hand-in-hand, a touching symbol of their relationship and shared academic journey.
Incidentally, Poornima’s husband Binu, a conductor with the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation, is also an alumnus of the same college, making this a special return to familiar grounds for the family.
With IANS inputs
