Visva-Bharati to confer 'Desikottama' on Bhutan King

Santiniketan, Sep 27 (UNI) Visva-Bharti University will confer its highest degree 'Desikottama'(D.Litt) on former Bhutan King Jigme Sigme Wangchuk for strengthening democracy in his country.

Chancellor Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is expected to hand over the degree to the former King here in the first week of December during the university's convocation for 2005-06.

Seven others to be honoured with the doctorate degrees are economist and V-B ex-Vice-Chancellor Dr Amlan Dutta, eminent historian Irfan Habib, theatre personality Habib Tanweer, peace activist Debi Prasad, scientist Rotham Narsimha (Space Commission member), painter KG Subramaniyam and economist Jeandrez.

The 'Gaganaban Purashkar' for artists will be given to Prof Sanat Kar and Arpit Singh.

Visva-Bharati will also confer 'Rathindra Puraskar' for agriculture and social science on Arun Kumar Sharma and C S Seshadri.

These names have been approved by the Executive and Academic councils of the University.

In all 3500 students will receive their degrees and certificates during the convocation.

Nobel laureate Prof. Amartya Sen has been invited to be the chief guest for the occasion.

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