By IANS,
New Delhi: University of Wolverhampton, one of Britain’s leading universities, Thursday honoured Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley with honorary degrees in recognition of their service to public life.
“I would like to thank you for bestowing this rare distinction on me. This is a unique event for me personally and also for the Indian polity,” Mukherjee said at a function here after accepting the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters in recognition of his service to public life and international affairs.
The university also honoured Jaitley for his contribution to Indian polity and public life.
On both the leaders being conferred the honour from the same platform, Mukherjee said: “I don’t see this as a mere coincidence or a strategic decision on part of the university. To me, it is a recognition of the spirit and the strength of this nation.”
In his address, Mukherjee urged the university to play a role in the nation-building process in India.
He said fulfilling the rising expectations of young India was one of the biggest challenges facing the country.
“The young are restless, yet engaged and are ready to seize the opportunities that are presented to them. This is a powerful reason for us to create, facilitate and sustain those opportunities,” he said.