An Indian Trust

(Extract from an article written by Derek Brewer, Proffessor Emeritus and Master of the college - 1977-1990)

When my wife and I were on our way to a trek in the Nepalese Himalayas in the spring of this year, we stopped en route in Delhi to host a dinner on behalf of the college for our menbers there. We were received with typically generous Indian hospitality by Ambassador J. N. Dhamija (1936), his wife, Devika, and his son Sumant(1970). The burden of making the arrangements of the dinner was gallantly shouldered by Mr Sumant Dhamija.

We were given the opportunity of meeting many interesting and distinguished people and were very much touched by the friendliness with which we were received.

Amongst the distinguished Members present at the very enjoyable was Mr. Justice G D Khosla, aged 93, who though then in good form has alas recently died. The College may well be proud of the role played by him and Ambassador Dhamija in India's success, and of the scientists, businessmen and civil servants who constitute the younger Indian members.

The Master and Fellows wished to express th College's gratitude for the dinner given last year by Indian Members to Lord Parkinson, Chairman of the Develpoment Committee, when he visited Delhi. A further aim was to encourage the creation of a Trust intended to give financial support to Inidan students accepted for membership of the College through the normal admission channels, who may need financial help. The costs of education at Cambridge, though no higher than those of world class universities of similar type (Havard is an obvious example) are nevertheless substantial. We should like to be in the position to say that anyone, man or woman who is capable of passing our necessary high selection standards, can come irrespective of their financial resources.

When I met this proposal at the dinner it was very well received, and thanks to the untiring efforts of Mr Sumant Dhamija, a Trust has now been set up in India and with Indian Trustees, to support Indian candidates to Emmanuel. The main contributors will be from the sub-continent, but there is also the promise of support from Britain, and I hope that this will increase.

It is important to have an international range of members of the College, without denying the legitimate aspirations of those born in britain(some of whom, of course, are themselves second generation immigrants from the sub-continent as well as from elsewhere.

Trust will help those Indian Students who may wish to come to Emmanuel and who need financial help.

Derek Brewer (Master, 1977-90)