Assamese Scholar Arani S Hazarika Earns a Degree in Sanskrit and Classical Hindi from the University of Oxford, Marking a First for the Region
A Historic Milestone for Assam: Arani S Hazarika Graduates from the University of Oxford
Arani S Hazarika has made history as the first Assamese student to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sanskrit and Classical Hindi from the prestigious University of Oxford. This significant achievement was accomplished at the tender age of 21, having been admitted at just 18 into a highly competitive program and awarded the Simon and June Li Undergraduate Scholarship, recognising her exceptional academic potential.
Hailing from Guwahati, Assam, Arani completed her schooling at Holy Child Higher Secondary School before embarking on her undergraduate studies at Balliol College, one of Oxford's oldest colleges, under the Department of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies. She pursued her BA in Sanskrit and Classical Hindi, starting her classes in October 2022.
During her studies, Arani authored important research on the standardization and authentication of 15th-century palm-leaf manuscripts from the Dakhinpat Satra of Majuli, Assam. This work has contributed to preserving Assamese cultural and literary heritage. Her dissertation focused on the standardization of the 15th-century Sanchi manuscript of the Dakshinpat Satra in Majuli.
Arani's accomplishment is celebrated as a historic milestone for Assam's representation in global academia. Her father, Partha Pratim Hazarika, a senior journalist with a Guwahati-based English daily, and her mother, Sudakshina Bhuyan, a Feng Shui and Vaastu consultant, are immensely proud of their daughter's achievement.
The University of Oxford has offered Arani an opportunity to pursue her MA in the same college and department. The graduation ceremony was held at the University of Oxford's Sheldonian Theatre auditorium on August 9, in the presence of the university's Vice-Chancellor and global scholars. The statement regarding Arani's graduation was issued by the University of Oxford.
Arani's graduation from the University of Oxford highlights the potential for international education and cultural exchange. It serves as an inspiration for young students from Assam and beyond, demonstrating the heights one can achieve with hard work, dedication, and a passion for learning.
- Arani's accomplishment in graduating from the University of Oxford with a degree in Sanskrit and Classical Hindi serves as a powerful testament to the value of international education and self-development in the realms of both personal growth and education-and-self-development.
- As a graduate of the University of Oxford, Arani can now leverage her extensive learning and expertise to contribute positively to India's economy by engaging in scholarly research and education-related endeavors.
- Arani's example encourages students across India to prioritize learning, striving for excellence, and pursuing higher education, as it clearly demonstrates that these efforts can lead to significant personal growth and potentially global recognition.