Maharashtra secretariat staffer passes class X at age of 50

This is a story that would inspire everyone – an employee of Mantralaya, the state secretariat, has passed class X at the age of 50 in his 28th attempt.

Recognising the efforts of the veteran, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis felicitated Avinash Chaugule amid cheers and claps.

“Congratulations to our employee from Mantralaya , Shri Avinash Chaugule for passing Class 10 board examination at the age of 50,” Fadnavis tweeted and posted two photos of Chaugule and him offering sweets to each other.

He joined the state secretariat in 1987. “I am happy….I was determined,” he said, adding that mathematics was a problem for him.  “My friends used to say what is the need….but I said that I would pass one day,” said Chaugule, who turned 50 on June 1 this year. Asked about his studies, he said: “This time, I studied all the question papers available for the previous year.”

 Chaugule stays in Mumbai with his parents, brother, sister, wife and son.