-  Punjab Governor Shivraj V Patil attends as Chief Guest
-  Union I & B Minister Ambika Soni also graces the occasion as Special
    Guest

CHANDIGARH, February 14: A total of 479 students received their degrees at the 60th
Annual Convocation of Panjab University held at the Gymnasium Hall on the Panjab
University campus here today.   Out of total 479 students who received their degrees,
351 comprised girl students.  Out of 479 degrees awarded, 147 were Ph. Ds.

        Professor Shenggen Fan, Director General, International         Food Policy
Research Institute, Washington, D.C. (USA) and Professor C.N.R. Rao, National Research
Professor and Honorary President and Linus Pauling Research Professor, Jawaharlal
Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (Bangalore) were conferred upon with
Doctor of Science degree (honoris causa).  Prof. A.K. Sood of the department of
Physics, Indian Institute of Science (Bangalore) was conferred the prestigious Vigyan
Rattan Award upon him.  

        Eminent author and celebrated journalist, Khushwant Singh will be honoured
with conferment of the Doctor of Literature degree (honoris causa) for        
his superb contribution in the field of journalism and Mr Som Nath Chatterjee, former
Speaker of the Lok Sabha will be conferred Doctor of Laws degree upon him at a small
convocation function to be organised at Delhi in near future. 
Mr Singh and Mr Som Nath Chatterjee could not make it to attend Convocation today due
to their indisposition. 

        Mr Shivraj V Patil, Goernor of Punjab and Administrator Union Territory of
Chandigarh who was the chief guest on the occasion complimented and congratulated the
recipients of degrees at the PU’s 60th Convocation here today.  He  said he was
overwhelmed with the fact that an overwhelming number of recipients of degrees and
those selected for getting Gold Medals were female students.  “I have seen girls
outnumbering boys in getting gold medals and distinctions in other universities as
well”, Mr Patil added, and said this was a healthy development. 

        Mr Patil advised the pass-outs getting degrees to develop positive outlook in
life.  Criticism is required wherever due but we at the helm of affairs needed
encouragement also.  “If you leave the university with a positive attitude and
optimism you are sure to rise in life and realising your dreams.  He cited examples of
Dr C.N.R. Rao whose confidence and positive thinking enabled India achieve several
breakthroughs in science and technology.  Mr Patil said universities should not only
be the institutions where the knowledge is discovered but it was equally important to
pass on the knowledge to the masses, particularly to those who could make use of it
for national development.  The Governor said that this world was not a bad place to
live in.  Mysteries hidden in the oceans and space still needed to be discovered. 

        Professor C.N.R. Rao who delivered the Convocation address cited a large 
number of Universities and higher educational institutions that have mushroomed in
India in recent times.  Prof Rao said the increased number of educational institutions
in themselves was not an indicator of development, it was the challenge of providing
good quality education that is the main concern of India today.     
       
        India, he said, can not become a super economic power unless we went ahead in
science and technology.  He said 60 per cent of India’s population resided in rural
areas which have tremendous potential and talent that needed to be tapped.
        About the role of mass communication media Prof Rao said media is expected to
do a positive role in a developing country like India, where extraordinary things done
in science and technology must be given priority.  India, he said, can become great in
science only if we followed the path shown by path-breaking scientists like J.C. Bose
and M. Feraday who have given to us marvelous gifts of science, following their
dedicated and prolonged research in chemistry and physics.
        The Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ms Ambika Soni invited as
a special guest on the occasion thanked the Panjab University, particularly its Vice-
Chancellor Prof R.C. Sobti for giving recognition and acknowledgement to her who is an
alumni of the university.  Ms Soni wished the recipients of degrees a bright future
and urged them always to be prepared for struggle in life to tide over any situation
for progress. She said that determination should be one of the mantra of success in
life.   She was particularly impressed to see an overwhelming number of female
students receiving degrees and placed on merit.  She said the union government is
working towards providing reservation of 33 per cent to women in Parliament as well as
at other levels in government services to ensure betterment of their lot. 
        Earlier the Vice-Chancellor Professor R.C. Sobti read out the citations of the
distinguished personalities who were conferred upon honoris causa and the Vigyan
Rattan Award today.  The Vice-Chancellor also presented mementoes and shawls to the
recipients of honoris causa and Vigyan Rattan today.
                                                                        Press Note
No.78
                                                                        AK/PS