People

Jalnidh Kaur:
Rhodes Scholar

SIKHCHIC.COM, with input from ADITA BHATIA & YOUNG SIKH LEADERS

In a rare honour, Jalnidh Kaur, a student from Punjab, has won a Rhodes Scholarship for the year 2013. It is the world's oldest and the most prestigious international graduate scholarship program.

The scholarship allows her to pursue her post-graduation at the University of Oxford, UK, and consists of funding of all the tuition fees for two years of post-graduation, air travel, plus a maintenance stipend to cover her boarding and lodging expenses.

The Rhodes Scholarship is given to youth of outstanding intellect, character, leadership, and commitment to service. It supports students who demonstrate a strong propensity to emerge as 'leaders for the world’s future'.

Jalnidh Kaur is presently in her final year in Economics Honours at St Stephen's College, Delhi. She intends to do an M.Phil. in Economics at the University of Oxford.

Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Bill Clinton are but two of the famous recipients of the scholarship in the past.

Jalnidh Kaur, a resident of Ludhiana, Punjab, is the only child in the family. Her father is an Associate Professor at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana and her mother is a Lecturer at Guru Nanak Girls College, Model Town.

Formerly a student at Guru Nanak Public School, Sarabha Nagar and the Sacred Heart Convent School, Jalnidh will complete her Bachelor of Arts this year.

Recently, Jalnidh was honoured by the University of Hawaii, USA, with the title of Junior Fellow, the East-West Center.

In addition to formal academic prizes, Jalnidh achieved second prize in the ‘Budding Economist’ Quiz at Confluence National Economics Festival and pioneered the business plan ‘EurekaWow’ which promotes the concept of senior-to-junior knowledge sharing.

Alongside her academic work, Jalnidh founded Éclair, now a country-wide organisation with over 100 volunteers offering informal schooling for children living on the streets.

She served as Youth Co-ordinator for the Punjab division of the Civil Society Against Drugs movement during the Punjab Assembly Elections in 2012.

She is also the author of three books, namely – ‘Divine Pills’, ‘Work is More Fun than Fun’ and  ‘Economic History of India’.

Longer-term, she would like to help combat the extreme social disparities in the world around her through contributing to value-based interventions based on social science research.

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The following is an interview Jalnidh Kaur gave recently to Adita Bhatia of “Cool Age”:

Q:  You recently received the Rhodes scholarship. I'm sure that must be really exciting! Tell us more about what motivated you to apply?

I heard about the Rhodes scholarship when I was in Class 7 or 8. I knew about Montek Singh Ahluwalia, for example, being a Rhodes scholar – but it was only in my second year that I heard about the Rhodes scholarship from my seniors. When I researched, I realised that the deadline for the applications was July 31, and I quickly applied! I realise what a prestige it is to be admitted to this programme. I know that I cannot afford an education abroad myself – and this is such a good opportunity!

Q:  What was the procedure? How did you prepare for it?

I realised that I had to apply online. I had to send in my resume and a detailed essay about my goals, interests, and activities. There was a preliminary interview. It was very technical – based on the discipline (economics) that I am studying. A panel of economists conducted the interview – it included the ISI game theorist, Arunav Sen.

Q:  How was the interview? Who was it conducted by?

The final interview was a general one. Only 18-20 people made it to there. It was held in Bombay. The panel comprised of 13 or 14 past Rhodes scholars. They just wanted to see whether a candidate possessed the three necessities of Rhodes' will: academic excellence, performance in sports and community action.

Q:  How much importance is given to academic achievements in the application?

The preliminary interview was based on our academic quotient. A group of economists interviewed us. If you had to get through that round, you had to be excited about your discipline.

Q:  What extra-curricular activities were you a part of?

When I was in Grade 12, I was living in Ludhiana and I saw the children of construction and other marginal workers out on the roads. I got them all into a classroom and just taught them the English alphabet. After about one month, they were very excited about going to school, so I got them enrolled in a public school. When I came to Delhi, I started a learning centre for street children called Eclair in Roop Nagar. I also took part in various Business Plan competitions along with two of my classmates. I initiated a B-Plan called 'EurekaWow', which helped spread better learning about topics in Economics. I used to debate as well.

Q:  What do you think gave you an edge over the other contestants?

Quite honestly, I thought the rest of the candidates were better qualified as compared to me. I was the youngest of the lot. My peers belonged to IITs, IIMs or were pursuing PhDs. I think it was my enthusiasm that got me through. I was so excited about my discipline, because I love Economics. I was also very honest. During my preliminary interview, if they asked me a question and I did not know the answer, I told them so; I never pretended to be someone who I am not. I think that was very important.

Q:  Now that you have this brilliant opportunity, how do you plan ahead? Which courses are you planning to study?

I plan to do an M. Phil in Economics. I have heard that it is quite a technical course. My professor has told me that I would have to work very hard to be at par with the rest of my classmates. Most people who have gone to Oxford have gotten into policymaking, which seems like an attractive field. If I get an appropriate job in this field, I would be very keen to take it up, but my first preference would be to do a D.Phil. after my M. Phil.

sikhchic.com posted a piece on Jalnidh Kaur (and an article by her) almost six years ago! Please CLICK here to read them.

April 15, 2013

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