Guwahati: Arani S Hazarika, a young girl from Assam made history by graduating with a Bachelor degree in Sanskrit and Classical Hindi from the prestigious Oxford University. She has achieved a remarkable experience by becoming the first Assamese to do so.
The convocation for awarding the degree was held on 9 August at Oxford Sheldonian Theatre. The event was attended by the Vice-Chancellor and a host of scholars from across the world. Arani’s achievement is not only a pride for the greater Assamese community, but also explains how brilliant minds of our country are showing their deep interest in learning and reinventing the core curriculum of the Indian Knowledge System even in a foreign university.
21 years old Arani studied in prestigious Balliol college which has been crafting talents and scholars since its inception in 1263, one of the oldest colleges under Oxford university. She studied Bachelor of Arts under the Department of Asian and Middle Eastern studies. Her subjects Sanskrit and Classical Hindi are considered to be one of the toughest combinations in her department. A resident of Guwahati, Arani excelled in CBSE 10th, 12th with distinction marks. She was selected by Oxford University for the highly competitive undergraduate program and awarded the prestigious Simon and June Li scholarship.
During her study in Oxford, Arani prepared a research paper on standardisation and authentication of a 15th century palm leaf manuscript discovered in Dakshinpat Satra in Majuli, Assam. The Satra established by Guru Srimanta Sankardev holds immense spiritual and cultural heritage which is very significant to Assamese society.
Arani S Hazarika wishes to pursue her further education in the same university and explore more in the core of Sanskrit and Classical Hindi language. She is the daughter of senior journalist of ‘The Assam Tribune’ Partha Pratim Hazarika and Sudakshina Bhuyan.
