Bara, March 1:

Thirty-eight-year-old Shanti Shrestha of Manaharwa VDC-3, Badaharwa, has proven that age is no bar for education. Shrestha recently enrolled herself in class 2 of Nepal Rastriya Lower Secondary School.

Shrestha is a source of inspiration for other illiterate women, locals said.

“I have always wanted to study. I had enrolled for adult literacy classes before but could not continue for the lack of time,” Shanti told The Himalayan Times.

“I regularly attend school. And though regular classes end at 3 pm, I sometime take extra classes as well,” she added. Shanti has also been running a hotel at Badaharwa Chowk, but she manages time for her studies as well.

“I wish to pass the SLC exams, but let’s wait and see what happens in the future,” Shanti said.

Eight-year-old Ambika Thapaliya, also of class 2, said she was happy that Shanti had joined the school. Bharat Thapa, a resident of Manaharwa-3, said other illiterate persons in the village were encouraged by Shanti’s decision to get herself educated.