Whenever Avinash Chaugule would enter the classroom for his Class X Board exams, most students would mistake him for a parent. Once, in 1994, he was virtually dragged by the collar by teachers to the examiners' office for 'entering the classroom' but was finally allowed to appear after his identity had been ascertained.
It was not the teachers' fault, really. Chaugule could hardly be called an ordinary student. At age 50, this peon at chief minister Devendra Fadnavis's office finally passed his SSC exams on Monday—in his 28th attempt.
Always, it was one subject—mathematics, that scourge for so many—that held Chaugule back. But this time, he finally got 38 marks, three more than the minimum of 35 needed.
Because of this success, Chaugule can now retire as a clerk in Mantralaya. Fadnavis tweeted about his success, saying "Congratulations to our employee from Mantralay Avinash Chaugule to pass Class 10 board examination at the age of 50," and even posted a photograph of the government employee offering him sweets.
"Students in the classroom would call me uncle and ask why I was appearing for the exam at this age. I would tell them it was for getting a promotion in my job. And people might have mistaken my identity several times, but on knowing the real identity, they always encouraged me," a visibly elated Chaugule told TOI. "If the 7th Pay Commission gets implemented, it will help me immensely," he said, indicating that there was the possibility of him getting higher pension now.
He spent over Rs 12,000 as fees to appear for the SSC exams over the past three decades, starting from Rs 150 to Rs 550 now.
Though the curriculum changed several times during the three decades, he never consulted textbooks. "I only solved the board's question papers," he said.
Chaugule, who has been a student of Navjeevan Vidyamandir, Bhandup (W), joined government service 25 years ago as a peon in the public health department of Mantralaya.
"People used to encourage me to clear SSC after noticing my handwriting. I thank them for their support. My school principal, Nemade Madam, was a big source of support, and at home too people are very happy," he said.
Chaugule's wife is also 9th pass, and the couple does not have a child. He has two sisters who are commerce graduates; one of them is married.
Chaugule said he had got his government job through employment services. "In the initial years, I cleared all subjects except Hindi, English and mathematics. Later, I cleared Hindi and English as well, but mathematics remained," he said.
