What has been the impact of 75 years of the Rhodes Scholarship in India? 3 questions with India National Secretary, Nandan Kamath.

Nandan Kamath (India & Balliol 2000) is Principal Lawyer at LawNK, based in Bangalore, India. His practice specialises in sports, technology and media laws. He is also Managing Trustee of GoSports Foundation, a non-profit that provides scholarships and support to junior Indian athletes. He has been Rhodes India National Secretary since 2016.

We asked him to reflect on the past, present and future role of the Rhodes Scholarship in India.

What impact do you think 75 years of the Rhodes Scholarship has had? For India, and for the world?

Although the Rhodes Scholarships might not be as well known in India as they are in some other countries, they have come to play a prominent role among Indian graduates. In the early years, it was one of the few pathways for a talented young Indian or two to complete graduate education abroad. A number of early Rhodes Scholars played key roles in the nation building exercise, in the civil and foreign services to art, journalism and culture.

Over the years, Indian Rhodes Scholars have contributed in different ways, both in India and globally, from writing bestselling books to guiding national economic transformations, and building institutions and organisations that?have brought change and impact in varied fields. Each year, a growing pool of applicants aspires for the scholarship, which is possibly the only one that isn't purely academic in its outlook, approach and criteria.

The selection criteria position the Rhodes Scholarships not only as aspirational but also give them a beaconing role. I think this can often inspire?students to think about more than their grades when choosing their engagements and experiences through college. In turn, this can impact the notion of what wholesome personal development means. The Trust's explicit focus on leadership development for Scholars of all ages augurs well for the impact Indian Rhodes Scholars can and will have on India and the world around them in the future.

What would you like to see for the future of the Rhodes Scholarship in India?

Today, Indian Rhodes Scholars do not come just from the prominent institutions, and the diversity of the applicant base has altered significantly. This is a promising sign for the?future. There is tremendous talent and leadership potential in the country and it would be wonderful if we could expand the number of scholarships available to Indian students. The Rhodes Scholarships can, and I hope will, play an important role in giving young Indians of all backgrounds the opportunity to explore their potential and build their skills.?

What advice would you have for this generation of Scholars starting out on their journey?

Patience is a muscle that needs regular exercise. Conserve energy for the things that matter. It can be liberating to create your own metrics of a successful life.

Three generations of India National Secretaries: Vir Chauhan (India & St Catherine's 1974), Dhvani Mehta (India & Magdalen 2009) & Nandan Kamath (India & Balliol 2000).

Nandan hands over his role as India National Secretary to Dhvani in 2023, and we are hugely grateful for his incredible dedication to the role.