Mangaluru: A chit fund businessman from Kolya in Ullal taluk has cleared the II PU exam four decades after discontinuing his studies, fulfilling a long-pending academic dream.Mohan Raj, who appeared as a private candidate in the arts stream, scored 324 marks and secured a second-class pass on his first attempt. His achievement became even more special as it coincided with the results of his youngest son, Kshitij Raj, who also passed the exam with a first class in the commerce stream.Raj had discontinued education after completing I PU. He had passed SSLC in 1984 from Anandashram High School in Kolya and later joined Madani College in Ullal for PU. Though Raj went on to marry and raise three children, he had the regret of not completing PU education.According to Raj, his son’s preparation for the exam inspired him to return to academics. He decided to study with his son, hoping that his own effort would encourage the boy to take studies seriously. He began preparing for the exam in Nov last year and attended private coaching classes in Thokkottu.Raj wrote the exam at the govt college in Mudipu. His presence at the exam centre initially surprised both students and invigilators. After learning that he had come to write the exam, they encouraged him.Raj said his wife, Mamata, stood firmly by him throughout his preparation. With the result now out, Raj has completed what he described as “a 42-year-old dream”.Speaking about education, Raj said parents have a responsibility to create a supportive atmosphere for their children’s learning.
