London, June 25: India’s leading industrialist Ratan Tata, Chairman of the Tata Group, has been conferred the honorary degree of Doctor of Law for his role in producing the world’s cheapest car Nano.
The degree was conferred by Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, who is also the chancellor of the ancient seat of learning.
Tata was among eight individuals similarly honoured at a special ceremony on Monday.
The citation for Tata, in Latin, was read out by Dr Rupert Thompson from the Faculty of Classics.
The citation said: “Buying a car was once an expensive affair, which the majority in India could scarcely imagine.
But then our honorand came along and produced the Tata Nano, the cheapest car ever built.”
Recalling his family’s and group’s contribution to India, Tata said: “We have always tried to help people in need.
–Agencies