President to address LU convocation

Lucknow, Sep 22 (UNI) Elaborate security arrangements have been made for President Pratibha Devisingh Patil's visit here tomorrow for the convocation of Lucknow University (LU).

Mrs Patil, the first woman president of the country, would be the third President to grace the convocation function of the University.

Earlier, former president V V Giri and Gyani Zail Singh participated in the LU convocation.

The president will be honoured with Doctor of Literature degree (Honoris Causa) by virtue of which she will become an alumnus of LU.

State additional director general of police (law and order) Brij Lal said here that adequate security arrangements have been made at Amausi airport, Rajbhawan and the University.

He said the President is likely to fly to LU in a helicopter from Rajbhawan where she is expected to spend around an hour.

During the last LU convocation, police had to use force against the students when they protested against Union Human Resource Minsiter Arjun Singh who was the chief guest.

This time only about 600 students, mostly girls have been allowed to attend the convocation.

LU Vice-chancellor Professor A S Brar said, for the first time LU will be conferring a D Lit degree on President. Besides, two alumni of the university would also be honoured, he said.

Prof R P Rastogi(chemistry) would be conferred Doctor of Science and Prof Chandrashekhar Rath would be awarded Doctor of Literature degree(Honoris Causa)'', he said.

The VC said, besides this 20 medals will be given to the students who had excelled in the final examinations.

According to the schedule, the President is expected to reach Lucknow by a special flight, at around 1040 hrs tomorrow and will reach LU at around 1130 hrs.

She is expected to have lunch at Rajbhawan before returning to New Delhi.

UNI MB SB ARB AS1402