Nagpur: An 85-year-old former general manager in an electrical company and four prison inmates were among 1,373 graduates to be awarded degrees at the 39th convocation of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) Regional Centre Nagpur on Tuesday.The ceremony, held at Hislop College, saw 85-year-old Digambar Alsi receive his MA in development studies degree, underlining lifelong learning. Degrees were also awarded to 2 learners each from Nagpur and Amravati Central Prison study centres, along with 4 divyang students. The convocation was part of a nationwide event where over 3.24 lakh learners received degrees, with Vice-President CP Radhakrishnan attending the main function in New Delhi.Alsi has already completed 5 programmes from IGNOU’s Nagpur centre. Alsi said he now holds 28 degrees, including 19 from Nagpur University, 5 from IGNOU and 4 from other institutes. Two inmates each from Nagpur and Amravati Central Prison study centres were conferred certificate in food and nutrition course. Another 97 prisoners, including 58 from Nagpur and 39 from Amravati, are enrolled in different programmes offered by IGNOU.Laxman Kumarwad, regional director, IGNOU Regional Centre, Nagpur, said a 90-day concession is offered for each degree to prisoners.At Nagpur, Bhimaraya Metri, director of the Indian Institute of Management Nagpur, was the guest of honour. He highlighted IGNOU’s role in expanding access to education, especially in Vidarbha and Marathwada. He also noted India’s growing global stature and projected economic growth.Metri also observed that India is emerging as a global brand and is expected to surpass a GDP of $5 trillion by 2026-27. Further, he added, “A leader is one who thinks the unthinkable, achieves the unachievable, and sees the invisible.”
