Inspiring At 50: Pune Woman Clears Class 12 Exams, Proving It’s Never Too Late To Learn

While many abandon their dreams due to age, circumstances or responsibilities, Mira Kokate fulfilled her dream of completing her education with sheer courage and determination. She passed the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examination at the age of 50, the results of which were declared recently.

A resident of Jai Jawan Nagar in Pune's Yerawada, Kokate’s journey is not just a personal win but a lesson for others — that there is no age limit to achieving your dreams.

'Married into a humble family'

Kokate was married into a humble family. Her husband, Ashok, alongside his younger brother, made a living by selling caps, raincoats and sunglasses on Bund Garden Road. While they worked on the streets selling their products to make ends meet, Kokate managed their small home with dedication.

'Raised two daughters'

With two daughters to raise and a household to run, Kokate’s days were jam-packed, but her heart quietly carried the weight of an incomplete dream: education. Having left her studies early in life, she often longed to return to school. Her husband always encouraged her to pursue her dreams, but life, as it often does, kept them on hold.

Daughters recognised their mother’s unfulfilled desire

Years passed. The daughters she once cradled in her arms became graduates — well-educated, confident, and compassionate. And then came a turning point. When the daughters recognised their mother’s unfulfilled desire, they approached their father and said, "Let’s help Aai (mother) complete her dream."

Enrolled in a night school

In 2023, at nearly 48, Kokate enrolled in a night school and appeared for the Class 10 board examination. She passed it with flying colours. Encouraged by her success, she went a step further. In the academic year 2024–25, she appeared for the Class 12 board exams and cleared them — all while managing her home, her responsibilities and her age.

All of Yerawada has been moved by her story. Neighbours speak of her with admiration; children look at her with newfound respect. She has now become a symbol of achievement.

In times when headlines are often filled with despair, Kokate’s story is a breath of hope. Her life reminds us that dreams — no matter how delayed — are always worth chasing.

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