KATHMANDU, Nov 3: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has described President of India, Pranab Mukharjee, as the supreme leader of Asia.

Addressing a special convocation ceremony organized here today by the Kathmandu University (KU) to confer the Honorary D Litt title to the visiting President of India, the Prime Minister praised his role in taking India towards the path of development.

He said the political persona and ideologies espoused by Mukherjee, who carries a high political image, would be inspirational for us to pursue a meaningful life.

The KU decided to honor President Mukherjee with the honorary D Litt Degree in recognition of his contribution to the international relations, public administration and successful politics. The 81 -year-old Head-of-the-State of the southern neighbor arrived here Wednesday on a three-day state visit.

"Nepal and India share cultural, religious and social similarities and the bilateral ties have been further broadened by the state visit by the President of India," the Prime Minister said.

Congratulating Mukherjee, one time journalist, banker, economist and a successful politician for his assumption of the highest State post of India, the Prime Minister expressed his hope that India would continue to get a 'successful statesmanship' during his tenure.

This is the third time that the KU has conferred the honorary D Litt Degree to a high profile dignitary since its establishment 25 years ago. The Indian President is preceded by Nepal's noted culture expert Satyamohan Joshi and politician from his home country, Dr Karan Singh.

President Mukherjee has already been honored with the Honorary Degree by the Dhaka University (Bangladesh) in 2013, Kolkata University in 2013, the Russian Diplomatic Academy in 2015, Brussels State University in 2015, Jordan University in 2015 and Hebrew University (Israel) the same year.

After receiving the degree, President Mukherjee said the honour has inspired him to be more dedicated to the cause of humanitarian service.

Addressing the KU students as hope and future leaders of the country, he called on them to try to seek their meaningful public life by exploring new research and education.

Explorations for new researches and knowledge prompted the commencement of an industrial development era in the world, he said, expressing his hope that the KU students would be able to do so.

University Vice Chancellor Dr Ramkantha Makaju Shrestha underscored the need of redefining education for its improvement and of linking the higher education to community and skills.

The KU established in 2048 BS is the first privately run university in the country. So far 900 students from India have graduated from the KU. RSS

 
• pushpa kamal dahal
 
• pranab mukharjee