Sameer is first Rhodes scholar from Kashmir

Srinagar: Sameer Rashid Bhat, a Kashmiri law student at Gujarat National Law University, has been awarded the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship 2018 to study a postgraduate course in Law for a year in Oxford University, alongside another lawyer and two other non-law students.

Rhodes Scholars are chosen after a rigorous three step process.

The Rhodes scholarship entitles recipients to study a subject of their choice at Oxford University for at least one year. It is widely considered to be one of the world’s most prestigious scholarships.

Sameer is the first student from Kashmir valley to get the Rhodes Scholarship. He is also the first from his University to make it to the prestigious community of Rhodes Scholars.

Talking to Rising Kashmir Sameer said, “This achievement is not my achievement alone. Everyone that I have interacted with has contributed to this.

“The list of people that I have to thank is endless. I’m highly indebted to my professors at GNLU, teachers at IMI and Modern Public School and the staff at each of these institutions.

“One person who has inspired me the most is my batchmate at GNLU, Gayathree Devi. I’ve learnt a lot from her and this one goes to her.

“This wouldn’t have been possible without the support of my family, friends and a whole lot of well wishers,” he said.

He plans to study Comparative Human Rights Law, Criminal Justice, Security and Constitutional Theory in the BCL programme at Oxford.

Sameer is currently a final year student pursuing B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) at Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar.

Sameer studied at Modern Public School, Nowgam till grade 5 before moving to Iqbal Memorial Institute, Srinagar where he completed his grade X and grade XII.

Sameer was offered a lucrative job at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, a leading law firm in India just after completing his third year of law study, even though the placements for his batch were to start towards the end of their fourth year.

He said that this achievement is for Kashmir and its vibrant, talented youth.

He also thanked Editor-in-Chief Rising Kashmir Shujaat Bukhari, saying that “he has always been a guide an inspiration for me.”

http://risingkashmir.com/news/sameer-is-first-rhodes-scholar-from-kashmir