Akumjung Pongen from Nagaland has become the first person to receive the prestigious Indian Rhodes scholarship.
Pongen from Kohima has been offered the Indian Rhodes scholarship for the year 2022.
He is among 5 students from India who have been selected for this academic pursuance through scholarship in Oxford University.
Pongen is the final year student of Philosophy at Saint Stephen’s College in New Delhi and is the first Indian Rhodes Scholar from Nagaland.
According to a press release released by Rhodes Scholarship, Pongen’s academic interest lies in philosophy and theology.
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Pongen is also a singer who plays piano and classical guitar.
He is also interested in making philosophy more accessible to the society especially by translating them to his mother language.
The four other Indian students, who have also been selected for the scholarship are Dr Varod Puntambekar from Maharashtra, Dr Aishwarya Vedula from Hyderabad, Ritika Mukherji from Delhi and Adrija Ghosh from West Bengal.
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The St. Stephen’s North-East Society has expressed “heartiest congratulations” to Akumjung Pongen for securing the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship.
“Akum is not only an integral member of the society but a valuable friend and incredible human,” the Society said.
“His success stands testament and is nothing short of a meritorious academic and deserving personality, the first torchbearer for people of the Northeast,” the Society said.