London: At the University of Cambridge, a British Indian student has been elected as the president of the prestigious historic Cambridge Union Society. The society is among the world's oldest and has prided itself on being a defender of free speech since 1815, PTI reported.
Anoushka Kale won 126 votes to be elected uncontested for the next Easter 2025 term in an election held recently. As the serving debate officer of the society, Kale ran on a platform to strengthen ties with the university's cultural societies, such as the India Society.
“I am absolutely delighted and honoured to have been elected as President of the Cambridge Union Society for Easter 2025 and grateful for the membership's support,” said Kale.
“For my term, I will seek to expand diversity and access at the Union through greater collaboration with cultural groups, like the university's India Society. I am also especially passionate about continuing to host international speakers and global debate motions, as I did as Debates Officer of the society,” she said.
Former presidents and officers of the Cambridge Union Society have included celebrated English economist and philosopher John Maynard Keynes, novelist Robert Harris and, in recent years, British Indian peer and founder of Cobra Beer Karan Bilimoria.
Like the Oxford University's Oxford Union Society, the Cambridge Union has a long tradition of hosting prominent figures from all areas of public life in its chamber, from US presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan and UK Prime Ministers Winston Churchill, Margaret Thatcher and John Major, to Stephen Hawking, Bill Gates and the Dalai Lama.
Anoushka Kale, a 20-year-old student who is reading English Literature at Sidney Sussex College at Cambridge University, is among the few South Asian heritage female members to take on the prestigious role.
“I'm looking forward to delivering on my manifesto promises, particularly on expanding diversity through society collaborations and reduced access tickets for the summer garden party,” she added.
It follows Cambridge Union's decision to increase prices amid financial pressures and increase “upkeep costs” of its Grade-II listed heritage building.