Mantralaya staffer clears SSC after 28 attempts - at age of 50!

He truly represents the inspiring, indomitable, never-say-die spirit that Mumbai is famous for. Mantralaya employee Avinash Chaugule was the cynosure of all eyes as Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis felicitated him for creating a record of sorts on Tuesday.

Chaugule, 50, finally cleared his SSC Board examinations (Class 10) after making 28 attempts over as many years!

"Congratulations to our employee... Avinash Chaugule to pass Class 10 Board Examination at the age of 50," Fadnavis said acknowledging the feat in a tweet.

Fadnavis also offered celebratory sweets to Chaugule and even posed for pictures with him and uploaded them with his tweet.

Chaugule, who joined the state government in 1987, was overwhelmed by the honour and felicitation and was at a loss of words to express his feelings.

"I am very happy, I was determined to pass. Mathematics was a major problem," he told media persons.

"My friends used to tease me and say -- what is the need? I would definitely pass (the exams) some day," he said, nine days after turning 50.

The results were declared on Monday.

Revealing his 'secret' to finally clear the SSC exams, Chaugule smiled and said this time he studied all the question papers of the previous years.

Chaugule lives in Mumbai with his parents, brother, sister, wife and a son.