Honorary Doctorates for Manmohan, Sonia

Chennai, Sep 2 (UNI) The Madras University will confer Honorary Doctorates of Literature on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi at a special convocation ceremony, marking the inauguration of its 150th year here on September 5.

Confirming this at a press conference today, University Vice Chancellor Prof S Ramachandran said the Prime Minister was being conferred the Doctorate in recognition of his service for the economic progress of the country and commitment to secularism and democracy.

Ms Gandhi was being honoured for her service to the people of all sections in the country upholding secular values and Mr Karunanidhi for his service in flourishment of the Tamil language, Dravidian movement and work for social justice.

He said Director General, United Nations Industrial Development Organisation Dr Kandeh K Yumkella would also be conferred a Degree of Doctorate in recognition of his services to eradicate poverty and practising people centred management.

The four will also release 39 sesquicentennial commemorative publications on the occasion.

Tamil Nadu Governor and University Chancellor Surjit Singh Barnala will preside over the special convocation and valediction function.

Tamil Nadu Minister for Higher Education and Pro Chancellor of University Dr K Ponmudy will also participate.

Later, Ms Gandhi will lay the foundation stone for the university's new campus at Guindy and Taramani and an entrance arch at Chepauk. Mr Karunanidhi will lay the foundation stone for another new campus of the university at Taramani.

He said the three new campuses would be constructed at a cost of 25 crore each, obtained from the Centre, Tamil Nadu government and financial institutions.

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