ADVERTISEMENTs
.png)
British-Indian student to lead historic Cambridge Union
Anoushka Kale, 20, is elected as the Cambridge Union President for Easter Term 2024.
.jpg)
Anoushka Kale and the logo of the Cambridge Union / cus.org and X/@cambridgeunion
Anoushka Kale, a British-Indian student, has been elected as the President of the historic Cambridge Union for Easter Term 2024, according to Varsity (an independent newspaper for the University of Cambridge).
Kale is a second-year English student at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge University.
The Cambridge Union, founded in 1815, is one of the oldest and most prestigious student debating societies in the world. The Union serves as a hub for debate, discussion, and intellectual exchange.
Women were admitted as full members in 1965, marking a significant turning point in its history. Since then, the Union has evolved to reflect greater inclusivity while maintaining its reputation as a premier debating institution.
Running unopposed, Kale got 126 votes, with 25 members choosing to re-open nominations. Her election makes her the first female president since last Easter term.
As the current Debates Officer, she has played a pivotal role in organizing engaging discussions and has promised to strengthen collaborations with cultural societies, reduce access costs for events, and increase overall diversity during her presidency
Her presidential campaign emphasized boosting diversity and accessibility. She has pledged to strengthen partnerships with cultural and access-focused societies while reducing ticket prices for key events, including the summer garden party.
These promises come in the wake of rising membership fees, which insiders link to “years of poor financial management” by the Union.
Beyond her Union involvement, Kale has also demonstrated a strong sense of social responsibility. She has participated in initiatives like the Cambridge Convoy Refugee Action Group (CamCRAG). For this initiative, she fundraised to support homeless individuals and refugees through a winter sleepout event, raising awareness about the challenges faced by these communities.
Kale is also the chair of the Cambridge University Liberal Association (CULA). In her capacity at CULA, she has actively participated in campaigning efforts for the Liberal Democrats, highlighting her interest in political engagement and public service.
Kale, reflecting on her election victory, expressed gratitude and excitement about the opportunity to serve as president for Easter term. She stated that she felt “honored” to take on the role and deeply appreciated the support from members, Varsity reported.
She also outlined her focus on increasing member engagement, pledging to introduce new initiatives like a members' motion and debate dinner ballots.
“Bringing new faces onto committees and enhancing membership participation is key to revitalizing contested elections,” she noted, reaffirming her dedication to making the Union more dynamic and inclusive.
The Union is renowned for hosting prominent speakers from various fields, including politics, science, arts, and global affairs. Over its history, it has welcomed figures such as Theodore Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan, and Winston Churchill to its debates and talks.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
E Paper
ADVERTISEMENT
.jpg)
Video
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Comments
Start the conversation
Become a member of New India Abroad to start commenting.
Sign Up Now
Already have an account? Login