Calcutta University to confer DLitt on Nobel laureate Abhijit Banerjee, Governor to preside over ceremony

Nobel Prize winner in economics Abhijit Vinayak Banerjee will be conferred honorary D Litt (honoris causa) at Calcutta University convocation on Tuesday.

Taking to Twitter handle, Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar, also the Chancellor of the University, said, "As Chancellor would be presiding Calcutta University (CU) Convocation today. CU will also confer honorary D Litt (honoris causa) on Nobel laureate Abhijit Vinayak Banerjee."

Earlier, Vice-Chancellor Sonali Chakraborty Banerjee said the senate, the highest decision-making body of the institute, has unanimously cleared the proposal to confer honorary D Litt on the Nobel laureate.

Governor Dhankhar had earlier praised the Calcutta University’s decision to confer DLitt on Dr Banerjee, saying it would be “a joyous satisfying moment for all in the state”. “Let us all be in congratulatory and celebratory mode on the momentous occasion of honoring distinguished son of the soil Dr Abhijit Banerjee. Thinking beyond history, culture and time is the forte of Bengal’s mindscape. Bengalis time and again have led the way for countrymen. Dr Abhijit Banerjee accomplishments are the latest noteworthy in this regard,” stated a release issued by the Raj Bhavan.

“The well thought out and laudable decision of CU to award him with D.Litt is a gratifying moment for all of us in the state as also in the country. I am privileged and honoured to be associated with the decision as Chancellor of the Calcutta University”, he said.