Arani S Hazarika, a 21-year-old from Guwahati, has etched her name in history as the first Assamese to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Sanskrit and Classical Hindi from the prestigious University of Oxford. The landmark achievement was celebrated at the university’s iconic Sheldonian Theatre during the graduation ceremony on August 9.

Arani pursued her BA at Oxford’s Balliol College under the Department of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, showcasing her academic prowess in a highly competitive academic environment. Selected for the esteemed Simon and June Li Undergraduate Scholarship after excelling in her Class 12 board exams, she began her studies in October 2022. According to her father, Partha Pratim Hazarika, a senior journalist with a Guwahati-based English daily, Arani is also the first Assamese to complete a BA in Sanskrit at this world-renowned institution, as per available records.

During her undergraduate program, Arani’s dissertation focused on the standardization of the 15th-century Sanchi manuscript from the historic Dakshinpat Satra in Majuli, demonstrating her deep engagement with classical texts. Her academic excellence has earned her an offer to pursue a Master’s degree at the same college and department, further cementing her commitment to advancing her studies in Sanskrit and Classical Hindi.

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Arani’s groundbreaking achievement not only highlights her individual brilliance but also brings pride to Assam, showcasing the region’s rich cultural heritage on a global stage.

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