Southern States - Karnataka-Bangalore   

Two NLSIU students get Rhodes Scholarships

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE JAN. 2. Bangalore has laid claim to the status of intellectual capital of the country with two students from the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) securing the prestigious Rhodes Scholarships for 2004.

Prithviraj Datta and Tarunabh Khaitan from the NLSIU are among the six students from India who will join Oxford University during its Fall Term in October 2004 to pursue their postgraduate studies in law.

"It is our commitment to do something for society that perhaps gave us an edge over others," says Tarunabh, a native of Raiganj, West Bengal, ardent human rights activist, and fifth year student at the NLSIU.

More than 1,000 students applied for Rhodes Scholarships from India this year. After an initial selection process in Bangalore, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Delhi, a screening committee short-listed 18 students to appear for the final selection. The committee seeks excellence in qualities of mind and personality of the candidate.

The expenditure on education and travel of Rhodes scholars is borne by the Rhodes Trustees. In addition, each scholar receives a maintenance allowance to meet expenses during terms and vacations.

"Intellectual distinction is a necessity, but not a sufficient condition for bagging a Rhodes Scholarship," Prithviraj, who graduated from NLSIU last year, says. A native of Kolkata, he has decided to study international law at Oxford. "It is a very important but neglected area. There is not much awareness among the various stakeholders about the importance of international law. It is high time we evince interest in it," he says.

Tarunabh is eager to pursue human rights and constitution law at Oxford. He has been monitoring the human rights situation closely and feels it deserves more attention. Tarunabh is undecided whether he wants to be a lawyer or an academic after his return. But, both of them are committed to coming back to India and pursuing careers.

Prithviraj is keen on taking up teaching. An avid debater, he has represented India at international competitions in Vienna and Bangkok.

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