New Delhi: Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan was today conferred an honorary doctorate by a private university in Assam, for his phenomenal contribution towards Indian culture and music.
The doctorate was awarded on the occasion of Kaziranga University’s second convocation, in a ceremony held in the university campus at Jorhat, Assam.
“I am very happy and privileged to be bestowed with the honorary doctorate by the Kaziranga University. Every award at every stage of one’s life is like an encouragement and a testimony of your journey,” the 70-year-old Padma Vibhushan recipient said after receiving the doctorate.
“I thank God for all the love that has been bestowed upon me. I would like to thank the University in all humility for this generous honour,” he said.
Also honoured with a doctorate was AS Kiran Kumar, chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), for his contribution in Indian Space Engineering Programmes.
A Padma Shri awardee, Kumar joined ISRO in 1975. He is a distinguished space Scientist and credited with the development of key scientific instruments aboard the Chandrayan-1 and Mangalyaan space crafts.
“I feel it is a matter of privilege and honour. I am sure, in the years to come this institution of excellence would reach greater heights in imparting high quality education for nurturing a knowledgeable and skilled youth force that is going to take the nation to become a global leader in all aspects,” Kumar said.