Mizoram: Life plays out unfairly for many. Stricken by poor social backgrounds, most people don’t get same opportunities as others. For Lalringthara too, his path was strewn with thorns. He grew up as a destitute and could not afford to educate himself. He is now 78 years old and lives with his undying will to study. 
 

Working as a labourer with his mother
Lalringthara lives in Ruaikon village of Champhai district of Mizoram. He was born in Khuangleng village and lost his father as a young child. He was the only child of his parents, and due to the demise of his father, his mother could not send him to school. He worked in the fields with his mother as a labourer. 


He did multiple jobs that did not earn him enough money. In 1995, he was hired as a guard at Presbyterian church. During the same time, he got himself admitted in a school in the fifth grade as a 50-year-old man. But he was a grown man, and the responsibility of running his household was on his shoulders. Despite his strong desire, he missed several school classes. 
 

Learning English
Lalringthara is proficient in his mother tongue i.e. Mizo language. He has taught himself to read and write. He shares his concerns that many books are published in the English language. He has a love for books and literature because of which he wishes to learn the language for an increased knowledge of the world. 
He retook admission in school specifically for this reason. He wants to be able to write and speak in English. 
 

Gift from school authorities 
Lalringthara currently studies in class 9 and attends National Secondary Education Campaign High School in Ruaikon. The school authorities must receive appreciation for allowing him to pursue his interests at his elderly age. 
Lalringthara walks three kilometres daily to go to school. The school authorities honoured his dedication for education and gifted him with free books and uniform.