BHUBANESWAR: Senior citizens generally enjoy their retirement time with grandkids or spend their leisure time among their peer group. But 80-year-old Narayan Sahu , a former two-time MLA, and a former MP chose a different path and started leading a student’s life by staying in a hostel of Utkal University to complete his PhD.Sahu, clad on a brick red half-sleeve shirt and a grey formal trouser, welcomed the correspondent to his single room (number 24) in the fifth hostel of the university with a heartfelt smile. The 100 square ft room has a small bed covered with a mosquito net. The rest of the spaces were grabbed by clothes, books and a table crowded with notebooks and study materials. Eastside wall of the room has old photographs of his wife, elder daughter and his early days of politics.Sahu completed his post-graduation in philosophy subject at the age of 73 (in 2011) from Utkal University. He also completed M Phil programme in 2012-13 before registering for PhD programme in Philosophy on February 3, 2016. The topic of his research is ‘Philosophy of Srimad Bhagabata of Jagannath Das: A conceptual exploration’. He has also authored his autobiography in Odia language ‘Samarpita Atma Ra Kahani’ (Story of a dedicated soul). It will be published within three months.“Age is not a bar for this Octogenarian gentleman. He stays in a hostel like other scholars and continues his research on his PhD topic. He is very courteous and attentive. We are happy to get an 80-year-old scholar in our university,” said Sudhakar Jally, Sahu’s teacher and former coordinator of Philosophy department.Sahu, a great fan of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi , was elected MLA from Pallahara in 1971 and 1974 and MP from Deogarh in 1980 on Congress tickets. “Former chief minister Biju Patnaik , father of chief minister Naveen Patnaik, was my friend. We were loved by people for good deeds and honesty. But now it is not seen anywhere. After 1984, I left politics because of the corruption and lack of ideology in politics. I had spent a total of Rs 1.05 lakh for three elections, but now an MLA candidate spends more than Rs 1 crore in the election campaign. Where is ethics?” he added.He belongs to Gelheikateni village under Parjang block in Dhenkanal district . He has four daughters and two sons. His elder daughter had married to popular congress leader late Lalatendu Bidyadhar Mohapatra alias Lulu. Lalatendu’s daughter Upasana is a BJP leader now.He has built a double-storied building at his village. “I never tried to accumulate wealth by using my position. Even I don’t have a single plot or house in Bhubaneswar. Teaching school students and learning new things is my forte. Honesty is my great wealth I say,” he added.After the death of his wife in 2009, he felt lonely. “Instead of getting bored in the house, I wanted to utilize my time in a fruitful way. So I took admission in PG at Utkal University in 2009 and got 83 per cent in the examinations,” he smiled.Before coming to politics, he had done graduation with Economics honours 1963 from Ravenshaw University (then college). Later he completed his bachelor in education (BEd) to become a teacher. But politics changed his life. He did his matric in 1956.“I love this room, this institution, and other scholars. It has become a world for me. I enjoy my student days again. I feel like a youth here after interacting with them every day. I go to the library, listen to my radio and chat with young people here. I advise them to become honest people in life,” said Sahu.

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