Calcutta University to confer DLitt on former WB governor

The Calcutta University will confer honorary DLitt on former West Bengal governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi during its annual convocation ceremony, Vice Chancellor Sonali Chakraborty Banerjee said Wednesday.

Paediatrician Dilip Mahalanabis, who pioneered the use of oral rehydration therapy, and eminent physician Sukumar Mukherjee will also be awarded honorary DSc (Honoris Causa) on the occasion, she said.

"We intend to honour three distinguished personalities, who made us proud with their work in the respective fields, at state-run Nazrul Manch auditorium here on January 7," the VC stated.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will deliver the convocation address, while Chancellor and Governor K N Tripathi will preside over the function, she said.

Last year, the chief minister had received the honorary D Litt from CU.

An estimated 498 researchers will be awarded PhD certificates, 236 M.Phil and 113 LLM (Masters of Legislative Law) certificates during the convocation this year, the vice chancellor said.

Asked about the reason behind hosting the ceremony at Nazrul Manch instead of the university's College Street premises over the past two years, she said the "Darbhanga and Asutosh buildings on the campus are undergoing renovation".

"We hope to conduct the convocation on the campus once the renovation work is over," she added.