Polly Manavalan admitted as an advocate on the rolls of the Bar Council of Kerala, in December 2018. In normal course it is not a news item as hundreds enrol as advocates every year. But, what differentiates Polly from others is that he enrolled as an advocate at the age of 80. He took admission at the Government Law College, Ernakulam in 2011 and completed the course successfully. He is basically an engineer who belongs to the 1962 batch of engineers from College of Engineering, Thiruvanathapuram (CET). In 1972, he took a management degree from Cochin University of Science And Technology, Ernkulam. There he was a student of the first batch of management students. He looks lean and thin but is extremely strong in will power. Polly Manavalan does not preach but proves age is just a number. 

He is a native of Kadamakkudy, Kochi. After class 5, he continued his studies in a school at Kothamangalam, where his grandmother’s home was located. That school and teachers changed his outlook towards studies and he began to be serious in his studies. He enjoyed sports too during the school days. He did his Pre-University at Sacred Heart College (SHC) in Thevara. After clearing his first group subjects- Maths, Physics, Chemistry, he secured an admission for pursuing mechanical engineering in College of Engineering, Thiruvanathapuram.  An engineering college at that time was very rare. He was hired from campus in 1962 by Hindustan Machine Tools (HMT), when they set up unit  in Kalamassery. In the company, Polly was one of the first to be hired for job. He continued with HMT till his voluntary retirement in 1993. For a hard worker like him, retirement was just the beginning of the next chapter and he founded a small industrial unit, adjacent to his house in Ravipuram, Kochi. The unit manufactures machine parts and supplies locally.  

By this time, he had become a grandfather of six studious boys. Their studies, enthusiasm and good performance in school, began to nurse his desire to study further. Law had fascinated him since early childhood days as his godfather was an advocate. He kept his desire a secret, but joined coaching classes for Law and cleared the entrance exam. His unfamiliarity with admission rules denied him a seat at the Ernakulam Law College in his first attempt. It was not sufficient to prevent gritty Polly. He cleared the exam again in the next year in 2011. He enjoyed his student days for second term in the company of young classmates and young friends. He took part in all activities. He received support and encouragement from other students and faculty alike. He proudly claims that he is the senior-most student in entire Kerala. But he could be the senior most student, probably in the entire country and world too. According to him, there is better closeness between girls and boys in class now, compared to his earlier student days. He is now eagerly waiting to confront his young classmates in courtroom.   

(The Photos and article is based on the article written by Priydershini S and published by The Hindu, Metro Plus on February 15, 2019)