The Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies celebrates its thirteenth birthday
28th June 2010

The Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies (OCHS) celebrated its thirteenth birthday at its annual Board of Governors Dinner on Monday 28 June at the Oxford Town Hall with guest speaker, Mr Dixit Joshi, Managing Director and Head of European Equities at Barclays Capital. The OCHS centre has grown from humble beginnings in a suburban house to become one of the world’s leading Hindu Studies centres building bridges between academia, tradition, business, and government.

Mr Joshi, who is an active philanthropist and also a leading member of the OCHS Endowment Campaign, said: "I truly believe that the Centre has made a formidable contribution to Hindu studies, and their relevance to the modern world, over the last 13 years. And with our support will continue to enrich understanding of the Hindu traditions for many years to come."

"As India nudges its way on to the world stage as an economic force, an understanding of its underlying philosophies becomes important", said the Centre’s Director, Shaunaka Rishi Das. "In the twenty-first century, Indian cultures and philosophies will make themselves felt in subtle ways as India’s economic growth brings an inevitable cultural impact."

All photos courtesy of Param P. Tomanec.

The Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies has developed into one of the world’s foremost centres of the study of Hinduism with many of the field’s best scholars serving as visiting fellows and academic directors. These include Prof. Francis X. Clooney, SJ, now teaching at Harvard, and Prof. Gavin Flood author of the highly-regarded Introduction to Hinduism (Cambridge University Press). Since its earliest days it has been nurtured by respected Oxford scholars including Prof. Keith Ward (Emeritus Professor of Divinity), Prof. David Patterson of the Oxford Centre for Jewish and Hebrew Studies (on which the Hindu Studies Centre was modelled), and Prof. Richard Gombrich (Emeritus Professor of Sanskrit).

According to Prof. Gombrich, "The OCHS has developed a reputation for academic excellence. Without the centre we wouldn’t have Hindu Studies at Oxford. Its students do us credit." One such student is Ravi Gupta, now a Lecturer in Eastern Religions in the US and recently returned to the OCHS as a visiting fellow: "The OCHS approach to the study of the Hindu traditions is a basis for excellent education and informed debate. It gave me the perspectives I needed to launch my career." At twenty-one, Ravi was one of Oxford’s youngest ever Ph.D. recipients.

The centre studies all Hindu cultures and traditions in all parts of the world. An important part of this is building links with Hindu communities in the UK who have also provided financial support to the Centre. In the words of Pratik Dattani of FTI Consulting, "The OCHS provides an invaluable service in preserving and promoting Hindu and Indian heritage. I’ve been happy to help in any little way I can to support its initiatives to bring these to a wider audience. I think it is important for these rich traditions to not be lost over time and the OCHS plays a great role in this ensuring this."

The Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies has also played an instrumental role in the creation of the Bhumi Project in co-operation with the United nations and the Alliance 0f Religions and Conservation. The Bhumi Project is helping Hindu communities formulate a Hindu response to environmental change.

A history of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies (OCHS)

* Founded in 1998 as the only academic centre of its kind.
* First D.Phil. student graduated in 2002.
* Since 2002, Shivdasani Fellowships bring renowned Indian scholars to Oxford to teach and research.
* In 2003, Continuing Education Department began teaching Higher Education Certificate courses to adults at venues across the UK.
* 2004, began publishing partnership with Routledge, producing fifteen titles to date in Hindu Studies book series.
* Awarded status of 'Recognised Independent Centre of Oxford University' in 2006.
* 2007, publishing partnership with Oxford University Press producing the Journal of Hindu Studies.
* 2007, brought together leading scholars in Indian text and archaeology for first international conference.
* 2008, brought together advisory board for Dow Jones Dharma Index and oversaw the creation of the document outlining dharmic principles in relation to investment.
* 2008, introduced online courses in Hindu Studies.
* 2009, ‘Concept of Category in Indian Philosophy’ conference in Oxford.
* 2010, launch of the Bhumi Project: Hindu Responses to Environmental Change.