Ahmedabad, 27 February 2025: After more than 60 years since he graduated, 86-year-old Mahendra Patel from Gujarat upskilled in the Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning program with leading global edtech company Great Learning. At an age when most people consider retirement, Mahendra upskilled in AI for social good, particularly to improving healthcare services for underprivileged communities in India.
Born in a small village in Gujarat, Mahendra Patel was awarded a medal by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first president of India, for being an all-round student. Over the past 15 years, he has helped over 4,000 orphaned and handicapped children access education. Mahendra also works with the local village head to improve infrastructure, including building a drainage system to prevent flooding during heavy rains.
Mahendra has been entrepreneur in the IT industry for over six decades. By upskilling in AI/ML, Mahendra is developing AI-driven solutions for healthcare, with a particular focus on managing chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease. He is also exploring innovative ways to automate healthcare services, aiming to make them more accessible to underserved communities in India.
His experience in the Post Graduate Program in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning showcases the transformative power of education at any age. His story inspires anyone contemplating new paths and illustrates that with determination and support, anything is achievable. For Mahendra, this program was not only an academic chase. It had become an urge to reinvent his passion for innovation.
