This Monday, the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies celebrated its 20th anniversary. Since its modest beginnings in 1997 with just 3 students, it has managed to establish itself as a leader in the field of Hindu studies, consolidating and bringing together a global web of scholarship.
The Centre’s astounding growth is possible thanks to the support of its backers and well-wishers; the 20th anniversary celebration is a chance for the OCHS community to celebrate the fruits of its hard work and consider the future. A celebration dinner was held at the Oxford Town Hall on July 2nd, 2018 and was attended by over 250 guests, including business people, political figures, scholars, students, religious leaders, and other key members of our community.
An address was given by Prof. Louise Richardson, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford. Other speakers included Prof. Francis X. Clooney, S.J, Harvard University, Prof. Keith Ward, University of Oxford, and Mr Ajay Piramal, Indian industrialist and philanthropist.
In two decades, the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies has grown into an institution serving as base to world-class scholars. It has hosted over 2000 lectures at Oxford and engaged in international conferences and collaborative research with top universities in Asia, Europe, and North America.
The twentieth anniversary was an opportunity to step back and take stock of where the organisaation is and where it’s headed. It’s aims have always been dual: to fuel the academic study of Hinduism, and to take this scholarship from its high perch and make it responsive to the needs of everyday Hindus and the wider community.
Their publishing, conferences, and visiting student opportunities have accomplished the former, and their burgeoning online courses and outreach projects, the latter.
