Acharya Chilukuri Shanthamma

Acharya Chilukuri Shanthamma

Where is she going to? Hospital? No, our assumptions are totally wrong.

With 2 walking sticks in her hands she reaches the classrooms of Centurian University in Andhra Pradesh by travelling 60 kms daily by bus to teach.

She is Santamma aged 96 years old who teaches Medical Physics, Radiology & Anesthesia.

Under her guidance, 17 students have completed their Doctorates (PhD).

She has translated Bhagwat Gita into English and Telugu languages besides being involved in extensive research works.

Her aim is to record her name as the oldest Professor in the Guinness Book of World records.

Such a great inspiration to us all.

If you have a strong will and determination, no age can stop you from achieving anything.

Let's all be inspired by her to do something different and Great.

My heartiest Tributes to this 96 years old Great Lady Teacher Santamma.

At 96 what an inspirational move not only to youngsters but even to existing aged ones.

Acharya Chilukuri Shanthamma , a female professor from Visakhapatnam . She is currently 96 years old as of (2024). Even at that age, she used to travel 60 km a day from Visakhapatnam to teach physics to students in a college in Vizianagaram with her passion. At Centurion University there, he takes at least six classes a day.

Chilukuri Shanthamma was born on March 8, 1929 in Machilipatnam, Krishna district . Parents Sitaramaiah and Vanajakshamma. Father worked in the legal system. Shanthamma's father died when she was young. Her mother Vanajakshamma lived for 104 years. She did her schooling in Rajahmundry and Madanapally . She completed her intermediate at AVN College when Visakhapatnam was a part of Madras State . Shanthamma is very passionate about physics . Received Gold Medal in Physics from Maharaja Vikram Dev Varma. Completed DSC equivalent to PhD in Microwave Spectroscopy from Andhra University .

In 1966, she worked as a physics lecturer in the College of Science, Andhra University . After that she performed many responsibilities from lecturer to professor, investigator and reader. Retired in 1989. He wanted to teach the students more lessons. I again joined Andhra University as an honorary lecturer. He worked there for six years. Also worked as research in-charge in various central government departments like Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, University Grants Commission , Department of Science and Technology (DST).

Shanthamma was recognized as the first woman to become a doctor of science under the scrutiny of the professors of Britain's Royal Society. The research was done under the guidance of Dr. Rangdhama Rao who developed the laboratories and did remarkable research in spectroscopy. Santhamma has done research in many projects like laser technology, detection of impurities in petrol. Published many research papers. Many universities in America, Britain and South Korea have invited Santamma and learned about her experiences. As many as 17 people have completed their PhD under the guidance of Santham.

Her analysis of Atomic Spectroscopy, Molecular Spectroscopy won several awards and gold medal in Veteran Scientists Class in 2016. This professor is also interested in Puranas , Vedas and Upanishads . She authored the book "Bhagavad Gita - The Divine Directive", an English translation of Bhagavad Gita verses. Her husband, Chilukuri Subrahmanya Sastri, a professor of Telugu, introduced her to the Upanishads. He was one of the first generation of Swayamsevaks in Telugu states in Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), held various responsibilities as Regional and Kshetra Sanghchalak, Central Worker as a member and inspired thousands of Sangh workers till the end. Her husband died a few years ago.

Chilukuri Shanthamma was the recipient of the 'Matrivandanam', an annual Shashpurti Kalika Satkaram program organized by Potti Sriramulu Telugu University and the Department of Language and Culture in Hyderabad.

She proudly says that former Vice-Chancellor of Andhra University and current VC of Centurion University, Vizianagaram Professor GSN Raju is her student.

She is the oldest professor in the world. Guinness Book suggests her name to them. Referring to her family, she said, "Ours is a family with an RSS background... We don't care about money or property. They said it's okay if we donate the house to the Vivekananda Medical Trust. Now I live in a rented house. A boy used to accompany me when my health was not good. I read him. , I am married to him . Together with his wife, we all live in the same rented house.

VIZIANAGARAM: Advanced age and related health issues have failed to dampen the indomitable spirit of this 96-year-old professor, who commutes over 60 kms a day to handhold students into the marvellous world of Physics. For Professor Chilukuri Santhamma, Physics is her passion, and teaching, her purpose in life.

Supporting herself on crutches after undergoing knee-replacement surgeries, she conducts classes with a fellowship at Centurian University here, which she has been doing since the past six years. She has been teaching Physics and inspiring young minds for seven decades.

Her age doesn't bother her. "My mother Vanajakshamma lived till 104," she says. "Health is in our minds and wealth in our hearts. We should always keep our mind and heart healthy. I can’t compare myself to Albert Einstein, but I believe I am here for a purpose - to teach until my last breath," adds the nonagenarian.

Prof Santhamma's discipline, dedication and hard work has left her peers and students in awe. "I never like to miss Prof Santhamma's class. I always wait eagerly for her class. She is never late to class. She is a role-model for us in discipline, dedication and commitment. She is a walking and talking encyclopedia when it comes to the subject," Hasina, a first-year B.Sc Optometry student vouches for her professor.

Teaching is not her only passion. Being a philanthropist, she donated her house to Vivekananda Medical Trust and is now living in a rented accommodation.

Born in Machilipatnam on March 8, 1929, Santhamma lost her father when she was five months old. She was brought up by her paternal uncle. In 1945, she received a gold medal for physics from Maharaja Vikram Deo Varma. She was then an intermediate student at AVN College, Visakhapatnam, then in Madras State.

I can teach at least 6 classes a day, says Santhamma

She followed her passion to study Physics and pursued B.Sc Honors in the subject. She completed D.Sc (equivalent to Ph.D) in Microwave Spectroscopy from Andhra University and later joined the College of Science, Andhra University, as a Physics Lecturer, in 1966.

From Lecturer to Professor, Investigator and Reader, Prof Santhamma has done it all. She has also worked as an investigative in-charge in various central government departments such as the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), University Grants Commission (UGC) and Department of Science and Technology (DST).

Prof Santhamma retired at the age of 60 in 1989. Retirement, however, was just an official jargon for her. She shifted her focus on research and joined Andhra University again as an honorary lecturer, and worked for six years.

Her routine starts at 4 am, when she starts putting together notes for the day's class. "I can teach at least six classes a day. Time and energy are the two important factors in teaching. I always keep that in my mind. I travel at least 60 km daily from Vizag to Vizianagaram," the professor says.The enthusiasm for her profession has taken her to many countries, including the US, Britain, Canada and Spain, to attend conferences.

Her analysis of Atomic Spectroscopy and Molecular Spectroscopy won her several awards and a gold medal in the Veteran Scientists’ class in 2016. "Former vice-chancellor of Andhra University and the current vice-chancellor of Centurion University in Vizianagaram, Prof GSN Raju was my student," she says with pride.

The professor also has an interest for Puranas, Vedas and Upanishads. She has authored a book, "Bhagavad Gita - The Divine Directive", the English version of Bhagavad Gita slokas.

"My husband, Chilukuri Subrahmanya Sastry, passed away a few years ago. He was a Telugu professor and introduced me to the Upanishads. I have been studying them to release a book soon on topics that could be useful for the younger generation," she adds.