Indo-Americans selected for Rhodes scholarship

Four Indian-Americans are among 32 students selected for the prestigious Rhodes scholarship for 2007.

Four Indian-Americans are among 32 students selected for the prestigious Rhodes scholarship for 2007.

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They are: Shaan Chirag C. Gandhi from Case Western, Parvinda S. Thiara from Harvard, Maya Shanker, a senior majoring in cognitive science and Amia P. Srinivasan, a philosophy major from Yale University.

The scholars were selected from 896 applicants endorsed by 340 colleges and universities, and will join scholars selected from 13 other jurisdictions around the world.

Approximately 85 are selected each year. The scholarships provide two or three years of study, with the total value averaging about $45,000 per year.

According to the Rhodes Foundation website, Maya Shanker who has done research in psychology, language, visual perception and cognition - plans to do a Master's in experimental psychology at Oxford.

Amia Srinivasan, a playwright and publisher, plans to do D Phil in philosophy at Oxford. Parvinda Thiara, who lost his grandfather in India due to consumption of contaminated water, is determined to find ways to purify water.

He plans to study theoretical chemistry and water science policy and management at the Oxford. He is also a co-founder of an organisation dedicated to improving water sanitation technologies, particularly in impoverished areas of the world.

Rhodes Scholarships were created in 1902 by the will of British philanthropist Cecil Rhodes.

Winners are selected on the basis of high academic achievement, personal integrity, leadership potential and physical vigour, among other attributes.