Varsities should carry forward Taxila, Nalanda’s rich legacy: Bais

Media Coverage | 29-03-2023

Eknath Shinde, Vijay Darda honoured with D.Litt. by DY Patil varsity

“Our country has a rich history of world-class universities like Taxila, Nalanda and Sompura. This legacy should be carried forward by the universities today,” exhorted Maharashtra governor Ramesh Bais at Nerul on Tuesday. He was addressing the 17th convocation ceremony of Dr D Y Patil Deemed University as the chief guest.

At this convocation ceremony, D.Litt. was awarded to the chief minister Eknath Shinde for his immense contribution in the political and social fields, while the chairman of editorial board of Lokmat Media Group and former member of Rajya Sabha Vijay Darda was conferred with the D.Litt. for his outstanding contribution in the fields of social service and media. The chancellor of Dr D Y Patil University conferred the D.Litt. to Eknath Shinde and Vijay Darda both in the presence of the governor.

The governor said the chief minister Shinde and Darda have done remarkable work not only in the political but also in the social field and congratulated them on being awarded D.Litt.

The chancellor of Dr D Y Patil University Dr Vijay Patil, vice-chancellor Dr Vandan Mishra-Chaturvedi, Dr Nandita Palshetkar, pro vice-chancellor Shivani Patil, heads of various departments of the university including Dr Gaurang Mistry, Mahesh Kumar Harat, N D Patil, Devyani Gupta, Vani Kamat, and others were seated on the dais.

After graduation, everyone begins a new chapter in his/her life. While doing so, it is expected of everyone to successfully shoulder the responsibilities that follow. I’m sure the students who received their degrees today will effectively discharge their duties, said governor Bais, adding, Dr D Y Patil University has made significant contributions not only in the field of education but also in the field of sports.

MP Shrikant Shinde, MLA Prashant Thakur, managing director and editorial director of Lokmat Media Group Devendra Darda, Konkan divisional commissioner Mahendra Kalyankar, commissioner of Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation Rajesh Narvekar, Thane district collector Ashok Shingare, Navi Mumbai police commissioner Milind Bharambhe, joint commissioner Sanjay Mohite, and noted personalities from political and social fields and administration graced the ceremony.

Inspiration to continue social work: Darda

Replying after being honoured with D.Litt., Vijay Darda thanked Dr D Y Patil University. It is a very prestigious, respected and inspiring award in my life, he said.

As Dr D Y Patil University has honoured me with a D.Litt. especially for social service, I remember my Babuji late Jawaharlal Darda. That is why I believe that this degree is a tribute to Babuji for taking forward his ideals and teachings in the fields of education and social work along with journalism, he further said.

“I have several awards to my credit like Feroze Gandhi Memorial Award for excellence in Journalism; the International jurist award in the UK given by Rt. Hon. Lord Phillips (President of the Supreme Court of the UK) for work in the field of legal education in India’s rural areas; Giants International Journalism Award for outstanding contribution in the field of journalism in Maharashtra. But this award is very special for me as it is given by an educational institution like D Y Patil which is one of the most reputed and internationally acclaimed universities. What makes the degree very significant for me is that it is conferred on me for my service to the society,” he added.

I’m rich in humanity: Shinde

Chief minister Eknath Shinde thanked Dr D Y Patil University. “D.Litt. is a great honour. My father Sambhaji Shinde, wife and son and MP Shrikant Shinde are here to witness the ceremony. I dedicate this honour to the common people of Maharashtra. Despite being the chief minister, I am doing my job as a worker only. Even if my name does not appear in the list of rich people, it will be at the top in the list of humanity because I am a man rich in humanity,” Shinde said.

Maharashtra governor Ramesh Bais conferring D.Litt. on chief minister Eknath Shinde for his outstanding contribution in political and social fields in Navi Mumbai on Tuesday.

Chairman of editorial board of Lokmat Media Group and former member of Rajya Sabha Vijay Darda receiving D.Litt. at the hands of Maharashtra governor Ramesh Bais and chancellor of Dr DY Patil University Dr Vijay Patil during the convocation ceremony of the varsity on Tuesday. Chief minister Eknath Shinde was also present.

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