Oxford honour for Centre for Hindu Studies

The Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies has been granted the status of
Recognised Independent Centre by the Oxford university. OCHS, the
world’s leading centre for the study of Hindu traditions, is one of
two institutions given this status and bagged the honour after just
seven years of teaching and conducting research into aspects of
Hindu culture.

"It is an official recognition by Oxford University that we are its
principal provider in the field of Hindu Studies, and thus a duly
constituted member of the University’s community," the Centre’s
Academic Director Gavin Flood said.

"Culture and religion are of fundamental public concern as we move
into the 21st century. This may prove to be an important model for
enabling emerging communities to face issues of modernity and
globalisation in an intelligent, constructive way," he said.

According to Indian High Commissioner Kamlesh Sharma, the rising
profile of India and the remarkable success of the Diaspora has
increased interest in the foundations of its culture and
traditions. "The affiliation with Oxford University advances the
work of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies in providing serious
academic focus on Hindu culture and its depth of wisdom and
creativity for a wide audience," he said.

The new formal status has been created by Oxford to acknowledge
independent institutions working with the university in research and
teaching.

An OCHS release quoted Oxford university chancellor Lord Patten of
Barnes as saying that the "development fits in well with our goal to
attract more Indian students to come and study at Oxford".