Where there is a will, there is a way. And 58-year-old Archana Dash's determination to clear the HSC examination and become a matriculate proves the adage.

She had appeared the examination for the first time in 1978 but failed to clear it. Her parents had then married her off and she did not get an opportunity to appear the supplementary examination. However, Archana did not give up hope to become a matriculate.

"I had to quit education after I got married. Daily chores did not leave me with much time to study. But after seeing my children study, I made up my mind to at least pass matriculation", says Archana, who is a mother of two.

Both her children, who are graduates, encouraged Archana to pursue education and appear the test. They also took the initiative to enrol her for the HSC examination as an ex-regular student.