For Mukund and Soumya Rajan, education has always been a cornerstone of progress. Their latest philanthropic effort—a perpetual endowment funding a sixth Rhodes scholarship for Indian students—is both a tribute to their roots and a step toward empowering the next generation. Thanks to their contribution, India will now have six Rhodes scholars instead of five.
“The sixth Rhodes scholarship for India, endowed in perpetuity, is in honour of my maternal great-grandfather, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, and Mukund’s father, Raghavachari Govindarajan,” Soumya shared in a heartfelt post on LinkedIn. Dr. Radhakrishnan, a celebrated scholar and India’s second President, remains a symbol of educational excellence. “His belief in the transformative power of education resonates deeply with me,” she added.
Mukund, reflecting on his father’s legacy, said, “My father was a civil servant dedicated to shaping a better India. This scholarship is our way of honouring his quiet but monumental contributions.” Raghavachari Govindarajan played a pivotal role in establishing India’s intelligence framework, leaving a lasting impact on the country’s governance.
Announced at an event in New Delhi, the scholarship aims to create life-changing opportunities for Indian scholars. “This initiative is not just about funding education,” Soumya explained. “It’s about creating pathways for brilliant young minds to shape the future.”
Warden of the Rhodes Trust, Dr. Elizabeth Kiss, commended the Rajans, noting, “Their generosity ensures that more Indian students can access the world-class education and global platform that Oxford provides.”
This initiative is not just about funding education. It’s about creating pathways for brilliant young minds to shape the future. – Soumya Rajan
With the first scholar set to arrive at Oxford in 2026, Mukund and Soumya hope this initiative will inspire others to invest in education. “We are only custodians of what we have,” Soumya once said. “The real joy comes from paying it forward.”
