Spotlight on an International Scholar: Professor Rakesh Ranjan

Dr. Rakesh Ranjan is the Senior Lecturer for the Department of Middle Eastern and South Asian Studies at Emory University. He is also the director of the Undergraduate Studies in Asian Studies Program and the Language coordinator of the Hindi Program.

ISSP: Hi Professor Ranjan, please tell us a little bit about your background.

PROFESSOR RANJAN: I was born and raised in the state of Bihar, which is located on the northeastern side of India.  After I received a M.A. and Ph.D. in Linguistics from the University of Delhi, began my career teaching Hindi as the Program Director of the Hindi Language Program at the American Institute of Indian Studies in Varanasi, India.  I moved to the University of Pennsylvania, where I had discussed a postdoctoral fellowship with a professor but I ended up receiving an offer to teach Hindi.  Eventually, I moved down to Atlanta to be a part of the Emory faculty to continue teaching Hindi.

ISSP: Please tell us about your experience in teaching Hindi.

PROFESSOR RANJAN: When I first began teaching Hindi, it was the least common taught language in an academic setting.  Resources were very scarce so I had to think of creating my own materials. 

ISSP: Please tell us about the Hindi program at Emory

PROFESSOR RANJAN: There are various options for Emory students to learn Hindi.  First of all, there is a Hindi class for heritage learners.  Many heritage learners understand the cultural and social exposure of Hindi but their language skills are not on par.  Therefore, the Hindi class has been so popular that during the past 5 years, there has always been a request for overload.  Furthermore, we are currently expanding an accelerated Hindi course for heritage learners.  Through all these course offerings, the students began to develop an interest in forming an Emory Bollywood Club.

ISSP: Please tell us about the Bollywood Club

PROFESSOR RANJAN: The Bollywood Club at Emory began 6 years ago when I began showing the Bollywood movies to students.  As a result of that, we now have over 70 members and the Board of Students decide on the movie that will be shown on the 3rd Wednesday of each month.  There are discussion groups and we often coordinate with ICE, Muslim Students Association, and other Southeast Asian Clubs around campus.

ISSP: How does one become a member of the Bollywood Club?

PROFESSOR RANJAN: You don’t need to understand or study Hindi to be a part of this organization.  The club consists of Hindi students who are integrated from the college classroom and folks from the community and the rest of campus.  The best way to get more information is to contact Kabeer S. Khurana.

ISSP: Since you’ve lived in the U.S. for quite some time now, do you ever get homesick about India?

PROFESSOR RANJAN: There are over 70,000 Indians in metro-Atlanta so there are a lot of activities going around.  There are some nice Indian restaurants so I don’t feel alienated from my culture.    Also, there are at least 5 major Indian supermarkets in metro-Atlanta.  Of course, visiting my friends and family in India every year is such a reenergizing experience. 

ISSP: Speaking of Indian restaurants, are there any particular ones you would recommend?

PROFESSOR RANJAN: For South Indian food, I suggest Madras Saravana Bhavan (2179 Lawrenceville Hwy, 404-636-4400). For North Indian food, I suggest Café Bombay (2615 Briarcliff Rd, 404-320-0229) and Bhojanic (1363 Clairmont Rd, 404-633-9233)

ISSP: Since you are the involved with the Dharamsala, India (Emory Tibetan Studies) Study Abroad Program, can you tell us the benefits of participating in a Study Abroad program?

PROFESSOR RANJAN: Intensive summer programs help you to master a subject very quickly.  For example, you can spend 4 hours a week in the classroom on campus but that would be a challenge in retaining the language skills.  Instead, if you spent 20-25 hours a week immersed in the language in an academic setting and then lived with a host family where that particular language would be spoken regularly within the household, then you would be able to master the language very quickly.  There are also so many cultural opportunities and experiences that you can only experience through just participating in a Study Abroad Program.

ISSP: Do you think it’s important that our international students study abroad?

PROFESSOR RANJAN: Yes, studying abroad is for a good option for all Emory students.  Whether you are an American or an international visitor, it’s very important to know life, to know people from other cultures, and simply learn more about new things from a different lifestyle.  It’s important from an academic viewpoint and the development of our own personality and personal growth. 

ISSP: Since you are involved with the Emory Tibetan Studies Program, please tell us - How do you feel about the Dalai Lama’s affiliation with Emory?

PROFESSOR RANJAN: I think it’s a great thing because I like him a lot.  His Holiness, along with Mother Theresa and Gandhi, are the people I like the most.  I met with His Holiness in India in 1974 and think he’s a great human being.  He respects humanity; he doesn’t go after position, worldly things, or other goods people acquire.  I believe Emory’s relationship with His holiness is a great step towards acknowledging a great person who is still down to earth.  His holiness may be a “simple Buddhist Monk” from one religion but the focus isn’t his religion.

ISSP: Aside from your knowledge of Hindi, you also have a diploma in Russian from the Institute of Russian Language.  How did you begin your interest in learning Russian?

PROFESSOR RANJAN: I was inspired by reading Russian authors at a younger age, so I began to develop a desire to speak Russian.  I didn’t decide to pursue a job in Russian Studies because of limited career opportunities.

ISSP: Finally, what are your hobbies?

PROFESSOR RANJAN: I like traveling, cooking, go on walks, reading fiction, and yoga.

Thanks, Professor Ranjan, for taking the time to interview with ISSP.