Kolkata: Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has been conferred an honorary Doctor of Literature (D.Litt) degree by Japan’s prestigious Okayama University in recognition of her contributions to social welfare, women’s empowerment, culture, and human values.
A high-level delegation from Okayama University travelled to Kolkata to present the honour at a ceremony held on Wednesday evening at the Dhana Dhanya Auditorium in Alipore.
State Education minister Bratya Basu, vice-chancellors, scholars, artists and senior officials were present at the event, where Satyam Roychowdhury, Chancellor of Sister Nivedita University (SNU), delivered the vote of thanks.
In her address, Banerjee said: “I sincerely thank the university authorities for coming all the way to Bengal to honour me. I am truly overwhelmed. Japan stands as a global symbol of peace, harmony, and culture.”
In a subsequent post on social media, the Chief Minister expressed her gratitude to President Yasutomo Nasu, Prof. Masaharu Senoo, Prof. Toyohiko Watanabe, Daiki Nishiyama, Hiroshi Fukuda (Director General, Citizens Cooperative Bureau), Ayumi Okazaki, and Masakazu Moriyasu for their “warmth, grace, and magnanimity.”