In an age of rapid change and digital classrooms, one remarkable woman from Pune is proving that age is no barrier to passion and purpose. At 100 years old, Smt. Saraswati Deshpande, a retired schoolteacher, continues to teach Marathi grammar to students from her home — inspiring generations with her unwavering commitment to education and language.
A revered figure in the local community, Saraswati Tai (as she is fondly known) began her teaching career in the 1950s. Even after retirement, she chose not to rest. Instead, she opened her doors — and heart — to children, teenagers, and even adults who wished to master the intricacies of Marathi.
Seated on a wooden chair with a tattered, handwritten grammar notebook in hand, she teaches with the same energy and discipline she did decades ago. Her classroom may be modest, but her influence is vast — shaping not just language skills but values, culture, and pride in Marathi heritage.
“I don’t feel 100. When I teach, I feel 30 again,” she chuckles, adjusting her glasses. Her dedication has made her a local legend, with many of her students becoming teachers, writers, and scholars in their own right.
Her centennial celebration this year was attended by former students, local officials, and educators who hailed her as a “living treasure of Maharashtra.”
In a time where education often chases trends, Saraswati Deshpande’s life is a powerful lesson in consistency, culture, and service. As she continues her daily teaching sessions, her story reminds us that true educators never stop — and true inspiration often comes quietly, in the form of a grammar lesson spoken in a soft, unwavering voice.
