Basu and Italian President to get D Litt

Kolkata, Dec 8 (UNI) The Calcutta University today decided to confer D Litt (Honoris Causa) on Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi and veteran Marxist leader Jyoti Basu.

Pro Vice-Chacellor (Academy) Suranjan Das told UNI that the University Senate took the decision to honour them.

However, the date of conferring the degree was yet to be fixed.

He said the decision to honour Mr Prodi had been taken considering his role in the cultural exchange prorammes between three city universities and four Italian universities.

'' Despite being a NATO member, Italy had taken progressive stand on different issues in the recent times under the leadership of Mr Prodi, '' Mr Das said.

The last time the University had awarded D Litt to a national leader of a foreign country was to former South African President Nelson Mandela.

Mr Basu would be handed over the degree in recognition to his contribution in politics for a long period, he said.

UNI KDG SJC SK RS2015