M G varsity in Kerala honours CNR Rao, N Ram

, Nov 21:

awardee and eminent scientist C N R Rao, veteran journalist N Ram, leading painter A Ramachandran and music director late V Dakshinamurthy have been conferred with honorary doctorates by the Mahatma Gandhi University at Kottayam.

While Rao was conferred Dsc, the other three personalities were presented Dlit. Presenting the doctorates, Kerala Governor Nikhil Kumar congratulated the university for honouring the four personalities who had made distinguished contributions to their respective fields.

Focus more on research, Bharat Ratna awardee C N R Rao said.

For Rao, it was the first public function after he was honoured with the country's highest civilian award. In his acceptance speech, Rao asked Indian universities to focus more on research to ensure that the country kept abreast of developments in different fields in other parts of the world.

Appreciating the university's gesture, Ram said centres of higher learning should increase their attention on media studies, which is in a rapid growth mode.

He said he considered the honour as recognition to journalism which has played a major role in the history of India. The doctorate posthumously conferred on Dakshinamurthy was received by his widow Kalyani Dakshinamurthy.

PTI