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Rhodes Scholarship : Introduction
The Rhodes Scholarship is awarded for postgraduate studies at University
of Oxford. It is one of the oldest and most prestigious international
fellowships. Approximately 90 scholarships are awarded each year.
Rhodes Scholars can pursue any full-time postgraduate course offered
by the Oxford University except MBA. They can also pursue a second undergraduate
degree (senior status) over two years. The scholarship is offered for
two years only. However, it can be extended to one more year depending
on the discretion of the Trustees. The Scholarship covers the University
and College Fees and the scholars receive a monthly stipend to cover their
accommodation and living expenses.
Rhodes Scholarships are awarded to applicants from the selecting countries
which include Australia, Bermuda, Canada, Commonwealth Caribbean, Germany,
India, Jamaica, Kenya, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Botswana,
Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Swaziland, USA, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The selection of the Rhodes Scholars is overseen by a National Secretary
of the Rhodes Trust in each selecting country.
The Scholarship owes its origin to the Will of Cecil. J. Rhodes. Cecil
Rhodes was a British colonial pioneer and statesman. Rhodes was himself
an alumnus of Oxford University. His vision was to prepare world leaders
through education. He believed that Oxford would give able and exceptionally
gifted students the right environment for personal and intellectual development.
It would help in the promotion of international understanding and peace
and prepare highly motivated individuals who would be leaders in their
respective spheres and lead their contemporaries to a better tomorrow.
There were originally 52 scholarships. During the ensuing 100 years, the
Trustees added another 40 scholarships. Some of the scholarships were
discontinued while some new ones got added later.
According to Rhodes, the selection criteria for scholars was to be based
on academic brilliance, involvement in sports like cricket or football
or any other sports, qualities of personal rectitude, strength and compassion,
sense of public good etc. These criteria are maintained today as well.
Rhodes Scholarship was introduced in India when the scholarships were
extended to the Commonwealth countries. Prof. Asim Kumar Datta (passed
out from Christ Church, 1947) and Late Mr. Lovraj Kumar (Magdalen, 1947)
comprised the first batch of Indian Rhodes Scholars. India had one or
two scholarships during the initial years of introduction of the scholarships
in India. The number of Scholarships was increased to 3 per year in 1985
and 4 in 1991.
Initially Rhodes Scholarships were offered to male candidates only. Until
1977, no women were elected to Rhodes Scholarships. However, with the
continuous lobbying by Rhodes Trustees, the Secretary of State for Education
in UK made an order in 1976 declaring Rhodes Scholarships to be tenable
by women and in 1979, Amrita Cheema became the first woman from India
to be awarded a Rhodes Scholarship, and in 1995, Ms Roopa Unnikrishnan
became the 100th Rhodes Scholar from India. From 1998, six scholars are
elected form India every year. Indian Rhodes Scholarships are awarded
on an All-India basis. The selection procedure in India involves zonal
interviews (in the North, East, West and South zones) to shortlist candidates
for the final interview and screening process.
The list of Rhodes Scholars from India include Olympic athletes Eric
Prabhakar (India & Christchurch, 1948)and Ranjit Bhatia (India &
Jesus, 1957), metallurgist Tanjore R.Anantharaman (India & Trinity,
1951), medical scientist Ranjit Roy Chaudhary (India & Magdalen, 1955),
United Nations Under Secretary-General Virendra Dayal (India & University,
1956), Assistant Secretary General of the Commonwealth (India & Balliol,
1958), playwright and actor Girish Karnad (India & Lincoln, 1960),
economist and Planning Commission Dy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia (India
& Balliol, 1964), Indian Ambassador to Japan Aftab Seth (India &
Christ Church, 1965), Vice Chancellor of Delhi University Deepak Nayyar
(India & Balliol, 1967).
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