News

OCHS Scholar Pauses for Thought on BBC Radio

11 March 2003

In between studying for his upcoming D.Phil. on illusion, OCHS student Gopal Gupta has been recording for BBC Radio's Pause for thought.

Pause for thought is a daily fixture on BBC Radio Two's morning programme which brings a couple of minutes of thoughtfulness to millions of Britons getting ready for the day ahead.

The OCHS has always encouraged this kind of public space engagement by students and staff, bringing a meaningful bite of Indian thought to modern audiences.

Centre offers adult education programmes in London

1 October 2002

The Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies, in response to requests from members of the Hindu community, offered an Introductory Hindu Studies course this year in London. The course was an experiment to test the interest in an adult education venture and to explore methods of teaching such a vast subject area. Mr. Harish IK Patel generously sponsored the lecture series.

New students arrive from across the globe

20 September 2002

The centre welcomed six new students this year, a major boost in our student population. Below we outline their backgrounds and present focus.

Prince and PM praise Hindu youth initative

10 August 2002

After the very successful Hindu Youth Festival 2001--held to create awareness of the OCHS; provide thought-provoking programmes for young people and attract potential donors to the Centre--the trustees agreed to host the youth initiative for one more year. This allowed the successful development to establish itself, leading to registration as a separate charity.

 
This year festivals, running under the banner of, 'Get Connected', were held in three cities, London, Birmingham and Preston.

Degrees awarded

7 July 2002

Amanda Mills and Travis Chilcott, both of Mansfield College, successfully completed their Master of Study in Religion programmes. Amanda will pursue a D.Phil in Theology in Oxford and Travis will pursue his PhD at the University of California at Santa Barbara through the Religious Studies Department.

Board of Governors meeting and dinner: Prof. Patterson retires

28 June 2002

The annual Board of Governors meeting was held in June. The Board was sad to accept the retirement of Board member, Professor David Patterson and offered its heart-felt thanks for the wise counsel and advice he was always able to offer to the Centre's officers.

The Board of Governors of the OCVHS granted Emeritus membership of the Board to Professor Patterson in recognition of the very significant contribution he has made to the Board and to the development of the Centre since its inception.

Development Council established

20 May 2002

Members of the professional and business communities have joined the newly-formed OCVHS Development Council. An inaugural meeting was held in the Regency Hotel, Kensington, London. The members of this Council are Mr Harish IK Patel, Mr Subhash Thakrar, Mr Hasu Manek, Mr Bharat Bhundia, Mr Nitin Palan, Mr Jayesh Popat and Mr Sanjay Gadhvi.

 
This body will assist the executive planning of the Centre and help to oversee developments in the fields of accountancy, financial management and fund development.

In memoriam: Scholars, benefactors and friends of the Centre

10 May 2002

Friedhelm Hardy (1943–2004)

Friedhelm Ernst Hardy, widely known to his friends as Fred, died suddenly on 4 August, his 61st birthday, while he was dining in a restaurant with his wife Aruna. He died as he had lived, a bon viveur.
 
Fred was an academic of extraordinary learning, intelligence and sensitivity; and he was also an extremely kind and generous man with apparently boundless curiosity about and sympathy for his fellow human beings.

Oxford in Florida by invitation of Ford

30 April 2002

Shaunaka Rishi Das, OCVHS Director, and Ravi Gupta, Dphil student, made presentations about the Centre this past Easter vacation to communities in Florida, USA. In three meetings with community members, Shaunaka and Ravi aimed to raise awareness of the Centre's programmes and activities. Four attendees pledged funds for future development of the Centre directly after the meetings.