Bangalore University honours former PM Deve Gowda with doctorate

BENGALURU: In recognition of his contributions to the State and the nation, Bangalore University on Tuesday conferred an honorary doctorate on former Prime Minister H.D. Devegowda.

The doctorate was conferred by the Governor and Chancellor of the University Thaawar Chand Gehlot during the annual convocation ceremony.

Devegowda in a statement thanked the University for recognizing his services to society and stated “I accept it with all humility.”

Remembering his parents, Devegowda said “My parents were not educated but my father wanted me to be educated. After completing my education, they did not want me to take up a job in railways in Gujarat. They tied me to his land and made me work for people."

Stating that politics has been his continuing education, Gowda said, “As a first-time legislator in 1962 it was a great learning phase of my life. The Karnataka Assembly was like a University surrounded by learned senior colleagues who inspired me.”

"I have no formal training in river basin planning, irrigation, agriculture, and rural economy.  I only had a diploma in civil engineering but decided to educate myself by reading books, newspapers, periodicals, legislative debates, and government reports seriously,” the former Prime Minister added,

Minister for Higher Education M.C. Sudhakar and Vice-Chancellor Jayakar were also present on the occasion.