In a heartwarming testament to the belief that learning has no age limit, the village of Phangane, located in the Thane district of Maharashtra, is home to Aajibaichi Shala (Grandmothers’ School)—widely recognized as India’s first school dedicated entirely to uneducated elderly women.

The unique initiative, which commenced on International Women’s Day in 2016, offers a second chance at education for women aged 60 to 90 who were historically denied the opportunity to attend school.

Every afternoon, a group of grandmothers, often numbering around 30, can be seen walking in a single file toward their classroom. Dressed in a deliberate and vibrant uniform of bright pink nine-yard sarees, they carry their own school bags, slates, and chalk, eager to attend the two-hour class.

The pink saree uniform is a conscious choice, particularly for widows who are traditionally expected to wear white, symbolizing a defiance of old social stigmas and a celebration of their newfound dignity and empowerment.

The school was founded by local primary school teacher Yogendra Bangar, with support from the Motiram Dalal Charitable Trust. Bangar was moved to action after realizing many elderly women in the village felt a profound sense of shame and dependency due to their illiteracy.

The primary goal of the school is to achieve basic literacy. For the students, the most cherished achievement is moving beyond the reliance on a thumb impression for official documents and being able to confidently sign their own name.

“I couldn’t go to school as a child and remained illiterate all my life. I don’t want to die illiterate,” said one of the students, Kantabai, in a previous interview, highlighting the deep-seated desire for education. Many of the grandmothers now proudly seek help with their homework from their grandchildren, reversing traditional roles and creating a powerful inter-generational bond.

The Aajibaichi Shala has been hailed as a revolutionary grassroots model for adult education. Beyond literacy and basic arithmetic, the initiative has led to broader social change, including:

• 100% Literacy Rate among its participants.
• Enhanced Dignity and social respect for the elderly women in the community.
• Involvement in social awareness campaigns, including one that contributed to Phangane becoming an open defecation-free village.

The inspiring commitment of these elderly learners has garnered national and international attention, proving that for a dedicated heart, the pursuit of knowledge truly has no timeline.