Oxford Uty marks Cornelia Sorabji 150th birth anniversary

The University of Oxford will mark this week the 150th birth anniversary of Cornelia Sorabji, the first Indian woman to study at the world famous university.
Sorabji, who was also the first woman to practise law in India and the UK, was born on November 15 in 1866 and came to study at Somerville College in Oxford between 1889 and 1892.
"November 2016 is the 150thanniversary of her birth. Somerville College is marking this anniversary with an event at India House in London, launching a new scholarship in her name, which has been established in collaboration with the Faculty of Law at Oxford," Somerville College said in a statement today.

Plans for the new scholarship in memory of Cornelia Sorabji had been unveiled in Septemberto support Indian students studying law at Somerville College.
"CorneliaSorabji was a woman of tremendous spirit and courage and someone who paved the way for many Indian students, including (former Prime Minister) Indira Gandhi at Somerville. India is a key part of our college and this scholarship will pave the way for more graduates to follow in their footsteps," said Prof Alice Prochaska, principal of the college.
The scholarship will cover up to 50 per cent of the entire cost of the degree, which is usually around 36,000 pounds including tuition fees and lodging.

The college is also campaigning for it to eventually become a fully-funded endowment to support bright Indian students who often win admission to Oxford University but are unable to bear the high costs associated with it.

To be successful, the applicant will be expected to demonstrate not only exceptional academic merit but also a commitment ultimately to return to India to put their skills and experience into practice.
While the scholarship is open to any high achieving Indian student, female students will be especially encouraged to carry on Sorabji's ideals.
"Through the Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development we are building on the historical links between Oxford and India to ensure that the next generation of Indian students return home with the academic knowledge, networks and wider leadership training that will help them shape the country's development in the 21stcentury," Prochaska said.

Sorabji was an Indian Parsi Christian who despite standing first in university examinations at the Deccan College was not eligible for the Government of India scholarship to study in England.
But she refused to give up and went on to study at Oxford with the help of funds raised by her British friends.
Her memoir 'India Calling' documents the number of prominent establishment figures she met during her time in Britain. She died in her home at Finsbury Park in London in 1954.