Japan’s Okayama University on Wednesday awarded a Doctor of Letters (D’Litt) or Doctor Litterarum to Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for “significant contributions to social development, women’s empowerment, culture, and humanitarian efforts.”
During a celebratory event in Kolkata, the Chief Minister expressed her gratitude to the Japanese delegates, saying she too would reciprocate her good gestures by paying a visit to the far eastern country next year.
“The cultural friendship of the two countries dates back centuries,” with many Indian greats like Swami Vivekananda, Rashbehari Bose and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose visiting that country, Banerjee said, reminding us how Japan has been an important partner in the Bengal Global Business Summit. “Japan has been an important partner in the BGBS for the past eight years,” during which the two countries had expanded cultural exchanges,” she said.
Joint research in education, and commercial ties, she said, thanking the Japanese delegation for “hearty gesture … you have such a big heart … that you have come from so far away all the way to India to honour me … so I will also return the gratitude by paying a visit next year to your great country.”
The conferment ceremony was attended by vice-chancellors, senior academicians, artists from all over the State, besides foreign dignitaries.
Earlier, Banerjee was awarded similar honours by the University of Calcutta in 2018, St. Xavier’s University in 2023, and subsequently a doctoral degree from KIIT in Bhubaneswar.
