LONDON: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh received an honorary law doctorate from Britain’s elite University of Cambridge yesterday, conferred on him by Prince Philip. The husband of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip is chancellor of the prestigious university, which was established in 1209.
Singh then addressed the university on the theme of "Towards Inclusive Globalisation", with reference to the strong educational links between Cambridge and India.
The eastern English university confers degrees honoris causa ("as a mark of honour") on "members of the Royal Family, British subjects who are of conspicuous merit or have done good service to the state or to the university, and foreigners of distinction."
Singh, 74, is an honorary fellow of St John’s College, Cambridge, where he gained a first class degree in economics in 1957 — the only first of his year.
He went on to obtain a doctorate at Nuffield College at the University of Oxford. He is the most highly educated Indian prime minister in history.
"It was one of the most generous receptions anyone has received in Cambridge," Neil Hudson, the university vice marshal, said after the hour-long ceremony.
Singh’s speech, calling for a world economy that does not sacrifice the interests of the poor, brought a round of prolonged and thunderous applause.
Throughout the sombre function, conducted entirely in Latin except for Singh’s speech which was in English, he was as obedient and quiet as a good student could be, sitting quietly, not even once looking at his wife or daughter.
He had a deadpan expression throughout, smiling only once when he badly wanted the applause to stop.
The Duke of Edinburgh paid fulsome tributes to Singh, who in his own speech described himself as a "simple young Indian".
Prince Philip said, "it is very rare indeed for position of prime minister to be entrusted to one who is not a professional politician. Manmohan Singh is a scholar and public servant of great distinction.
"Millions look to this man," Prince Philip said in his concluding remarks before conferring the degree. "They see in him someone of conspicuous integrity; he is, in the world of the Greek poet Simonides, cool and calm, well aware of the justice that serves the state, and a man of healing virtue." - Agencies |
