The Walking Library: Chennai’s Most Educated Man Is a Real-Life Marvel

In a world where most people stop at one or two degrees, Professor V. N. Parthiban has turned education into a personal mission. Known as the “Repository of Degrees,” he has accumulated qualifications across disciplines including Economics, Law, Political Science, and Public Administration. His journey began with a vow to his mother to excel academically after a disappointing first result. Since then, he has spent nearly 90 percent of his salary on education, taking exams year after year, often juggling multiple courses simultaneously.

Notable updates

• Holds over 150 degrees, including 12 M.Phils and 4 Ph.D.s  
• Spends most of his income on tuition, books, and exam fees  
• Teaches at multiple colleges in Chennai while continuing to study  
• Known locally as a “walking library” and “repository of degrees”  
• Aims to cross 200 degrees in the coming years, still driven by his original promise

Sources: India Today, Moneycontrol, Zee News.