Mira Road: In a heartening display of perseverance and passion for education, 78-year-old Gorakhnath More, a retired Indian Navy personnel, has successfully cleared the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examination.

More, who served in the Indian Navy for over three decades before retiring in 1997, scored 44.50 per cent in the arts stream. The results were declared online on May 5. More celebrated the moment with childlike joy, joining lakhs of students across the state in checking their results.

“I always wanted to study law, but passing the HSC examination was the first step,” said More. “Now that I’ve done it, I’m determined to pursue an LLB degree,” he said. 

Born on April 30, 1947, More completed education up to Class 11 before joining the Navy, driven by a desire to serve the country. He spent much of his service posted in Colaba, Mumbai, and after retirement, settled with his family in Bhayandar. Despite the demands of work and family, he always valued education, ensuring that both his children achieved academic success—his son, Nitesh, is currently serving in the Navy, and his daughter, Dr. Aarti Wadkar, runs a clinic in Naigaon.

It was Dr. Wadkar who helped reignite her father's academic aspirations. “My father always dreamt of becoming a lawyer, but never had the opportunity to complete his education,” she said. “So, when Mr Ravi Bhatkar visited my clinic, I shared his wish.”

Ravi Bhatkar, director, Rishi Valmiki Vidyalaya and Junior College in Naigaon, helped More register as a private candidate and liaised with the education board to secure approval. “More was sincere, disciplined, and determined. He gave both oral and written exams and passed them just like any other student,” he asserted. 

More appeared for the examination at New English School, Vasai. He studied two to three hours daily, balancing his age-related challenges with sheer determination. In preparation for his next goal, he has already appeared for the Common Entrance Test for law colleges.