45-Yr-Old Mom & Son Graduate Together from IIT Madras

Age is Just a Number: Mother-Son Duo Creates History at IIT Madras Convocation

In a heartwarming and deeply inspiring turn of events, a mother and son shared the academic stage to graduate together from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras. Breaking societal stereotypes, 45-year-old Jigisha Tailor and her 21-year-old son, Aditya Kapadia, received their respective qualifications in the institute's online Data Science and Applications programme.

Key Highlights of the Inspiring Journey:

A Return to the Classroom: Hailing from Bharuch, Gujarat, Jigisha had spent 16 years teaching electronics at an engineering college before leaving her job in 2019 to focus on family responsibilities.
Inspired by Her Son: During the COVID-19 pandemic, Aditya enrolled in IIT Madras's online Data Science course. Watching her son study sparked a newfound curiosity in Jigisha. Encouraged by Aditya, she restarted her academic journey in 2022.
Overcoming Judgments: Returning to education after years wasn't easy. Relatives often questioned her decision, asking why she needed a degree or a job at her age. However, backed by the unwavering support of her husband and sons, she pushed through.
Study Partners to Graduates: What began as a mother cheering for her son quickly turned into them becoming study partners. Their journey culminated in a miraculous convocation moment where both were invited to the stage together—Aditya receiving his Bachelor of Science (BS) degree and Jigisha earning her diploma.

This incredible milestone proves that education and dreams have no expiry date. Watch the full video report above to hear their story, and stay tuned to VYGR News for more uplifting and positive human-interest stories!