Reportedly "Family responsibilities kept me from pursuing my passion for studies, but at 87, finally, that opportunity knocked on my door," Sivasubramanian said to a daily. Sivasubramanian received his masters' degree in public administration at the convocation and his zest for knowledge was praised by HRD minister ramesh pokhriyal 'Nishank' who called him a 90 year old "youngster".
He told "After finishing my school in 1940s, I wanted to go to college but that meant either shifting to Trichy or Chennai. Meanwhile, both my parents fell ill and my relatives advised me against going because I had to take care of them. So, I got a job and started working". He found that age is no bar at IGNOU and then I enrolled for the bachelors' course in public administration even though I told my children, 'I do not know whether I will be alive long enough to complete it'. After finishing my graduation, I enrolled for the masters degree".
Moreover in the last six years, his routine revolved around getting up at 5 am and immersing himself in books. He added "I would study early in the morning so that I could keep time for other activities through the day. I am a sports enthusiast also and love watching sports". Perhaps as his handwriting became illegible with age, his daughter used to write his assignments and she was also his scribe during exams. A tragedy struck him last year when he lost his wife, but not before she held his degree in her hands. he said, "I wanted to pursue MPhil but then one of my daughters said, 'There are few seats in MPhil and if you enroll for it, you will snatch the seat of an eligible candidate.
