Age is no bar to acquiring new knowledge. Retired bank officer Jaya Kishor Pradhan has cracked the NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) examination and is going to enrol his name in the prestigious Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR), Burla to pursue an MBSS course from this academic session.

The 64-year old Pradhan was about to enrol himself for the course on Thursday but could not make it because he failed to arrange the medical certificates at the last moment. He will be doing it on Monday.

Dean and principal of VIMSAR Brajan Mohan Mishra told The Telegraph, “Now Pradhan has arranged the required certificates duly approved by the notary. We have received all the documents and all clearance has been given to him. We will enrol him as our student on Monday as he has passed the NEET examination. I had never heard of a student pursuing a medical degree at the age of 64.”

Pradhan, who hails from Attabira in Bargarh district in Western Odisha, had retired as deputy manager in State Bank of India in 2016 from Bargarh branch. Pradhan, who had dreamt of becoming a doctor during his youth, had appeared for the medical entrance examination in 1974 but failed to crack it.

Pradhan, who is physically challenged, later pursued his BSC degree in 1977. After passing out from the college, he joined as a teacher in Attabira ME School.

“Later I appeared for the bank entrance examination and joined the Indian Bank and then State Bank of India in 1983. Later I retired as deputy bank manager of State Bank of India,” Pradhan told this newspaper.

While the minimum age to appear for the NEET examination is 17, there is no upper age bar for taking the entrance test. “The Supreme Court’s decision to allow students above the age of 25 years for NEET helped me to pursue my dream of becoming a doctor. I will get the MBBS degree at the age of 70,” said Pradhan.

Pradhan’s two daughters — Jai Prava and Jyoti Prava (twins) — were studying for Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) in a private college in Bilaspur in Madhya Pradesh. But Jai Prava passed away on November 20. His only son Joyjeet is studying in Class 10.

On how he prepared for the examination, Pradhan said, “While my daughters were preparing for the medical entrance examination, I read their books. After the SC court removed the age bar for appearing of the entrance examination, I became serious and appeared for the examination this year and cracked it.”

Pradhan, who has an infirm right leg, appeared the examination through the handicapped quota. Though he is sad about having lost one of his daughters he is keen to serve the poor through his knowledge.

Director VIMSAR, Prof. Lalit Kumar Meher said: “We are happy to enroll a 64 year old student in our institution.”

One of the senior medical professors of the VIMSAR college said, “Let us see how he would take up the pressure of attending classes and lab rooms. I wonder if he can do what you get students can do.”