Talented ten

Among those selected for the Jamsetjee Nusserwanji Tata Endowment scholarships for 2008-2009 are 10 Parsis who will be going abroad to study in a variety of disciplines such as actuarial science, architecture, business, English literature, law, management studies, pharmacy and school psychology. The largest number, six, have opted to pursue further studies in the USA, while three will attend universities in the UK and a single student will head for Australia. Eight of the scholars are females, while two are males.

"The vision which laid the foundations of a strong, industrially developed India also made Jamsetjee N. Tata a pioneer in the field of education to develop its human resources,” informs Dr Nawaz B. Mody, director of the J. N. Tata Endowment in a write-up sent to Parsiana. "He was deeply sensible of the value of education and determined to do all he could to offer to others those advantages of which he himself had made the fullest use,” she adds. This thinking led Tata to establish the J. N. Tata Endowment Scheme in 1892 with a trust fund of Rs 25 lakhs, a princely sum in those days. In 1938, the Scheme was altered through the Bombay High Court and ratified by it as the J. N. Tata Endowment for the Higher Education of Indians, Mody recounts in her write-up.

An understanding of changing realities in society and education has enabled the Endowment to cope with the increasingly complex demands made on it. Not only has the number of aspirants grown phenomenally, but the fields from which they have come are also increasingly diversified. So far the scholarship has been awarded to 4,038 scholars from all parts of the country and from over 200 disciplines. Scholarships are given in the form of loans, for Tata had insisted from the beginning that "self-help alone could give self-reliance and self-respect.” The Endowment has an impressive record of repayments. As soon as they begin to earn, scholars start repaying their loans, secure in the knowledge that every rupee returned goes toward supporting another deserving, talented individual for higher education abroad.

It is heartening to note that there are a large number of J. N. Tata scholars in India and abroad who are carrying out path-breaking research and teaching at reputed institutions, manning and leading national and international banking, commercial and financial institutions, multinational corporations, providing quality health care and legal services and entering sunrise industries such as the growing field of information technology and biotechnology, Mody notes with justifiable pride.

Awardees

Nairyosang D. Bhopti completed his schooling at the G. D. Somani Memorial School, Bombay and his BCom degree from Bombay’s H. R. College of Commerce. A qualified Chartered Accountant, Bhopti is now studying for the MBA (International) / Master of International Finance degrees at Deakin University, Australia for which he has been awarded a bursary by the University. On his return to India, he hopes to use his education to bring into Indian business and finance the models which have worked successfully in Australia and contribute to India’s economic growth.

Natasha K. Colah finished her schooling at the Nasr School, Hyderabad and her BA in English Literature from Bombay’s Sophia College. Colah has now joined the Master of Arts degree program specializing in English Literature at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She hopes to return to India to teach at a reputable college, "to foster an appreciation of the classics and inspire the contemporary English writing talent in India.”

Zenobia J. Dotiwala completed her schooling at the J. B. Vachha High School, Bombay and her Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from the University Institute of Chemical Technology, also in Bombay. She now plans to study for her Master’s degree in Pharmacy at the University of Illinois at Chicago, USA for which she has received a tuition waiver. On her return Dotiwala wants to work towards setting up "more dispensaries and pharmacies and make effective medical services available in the remotest parts at affordable costs.”

Shireen R. Havewala finished her schooling at the Udayachal High School, Bombay and her BA degree specializing in Political Science from St. Xavier’s College, Bombay. She now plans to study for her MSc degree in Development Studies at the University of Oxford, UK. Hoping to specialize in conflict resolution, her "professional goal is to work as a diplomatic negotiator with the United Nations or other international organizations.”

Delphina C. Irani studied at the Convent of Jesus and Mary in Bombay and completed her MA degree in Psychology from the Department of Applied Psychology, University of Bombay. She now plans to do a Master’s degree specializing in school psychology at the Eastern Washington University, Washington, USA. Irani hopes to work as a school psychologist on her return.

Gulnar A. Mistry studied at the St. Anne’s High School, Bombay and completed her three-year law degree from Government Law College, Bombay. She later interned at Crawford Bayley and Company. Mistry now plans to pursue her Master of Laws degree, specializing in Corporate Law and Government, at the University of Columbia, USA. She has also been awarded the Inlaks Foundation Scholarship to pursue her studies abroad.

Mehernawaz B. Mondegari finished her schooling at the Auxilium Convent, Bombay and her BA degree specializing in Economics and Statistics, from St. Xavier’s College, Bombay. Mondegari is now headed for the Heriot-Watt University at Edinburgh, UK to pursue a Master’s degree in Actuarial Science. For her "Actuarial Science is a noble profession working towards a better future for society” and she hopes to use her skills to attain this goal.

Anahita Pagdiwalla, who is a mid-career professional, finished her schooling from St. Joseph’s Convent, Bombay and went on to complete her Master’s degree in Management Studies from the Sydenham College, Bombay. Pagdiwalla later taught Commerce and Management at various colleges in Bombay and Bangalore. She has secured admission at the University of Warwick, UK for a PhD degree on "Globalization and Social Responsibility” where she will study corporate social responsibility, strategies of multinational corporations in India and develop models for them to benefit all the stakeholders.

Cyrus D. Patell completed his schooling at the National Public School, Bangalore and his Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from the Visveswaraiah Technological University, Belgaum. He is now proceeding to the USA to pursue his Master’s degree in Architecture at the Yale School of Architecture, Yale University, USA. He hopes to specialize in the field of sustainable design.

Zarina F. Pundole studied at the Queen Mary’s High School, Bombay and completed her five-year law degree from Bombay’s Government Law College. A qualified solicitor, Pundole cleared her solicitor’s exams at the first attempt and worked at Wadia Gandhy and Company thereafter. She now plans to complete her Master’s degree in Law at the Law Centre of the University of Houston, Texas, USA, specializing in Energy Law.