A CORRESPONDENT
SILCHAR: Eminent physician and philanthropist of Barak Valley Dr. Kumar Kanti Das, popularly known as 'Lakshman Das' had been conferred upon the prestigious D.Sc. degree by Assam University. The three day long 19th Convocation of the central university, which began on Thursday, saw other luminaries on the dias as honorary D. Litt had been conferred upon Swami Atmapriyananda by the Vice Chancellor Prof. Rajive Mohan Pant. Swami Atmapriyananda Maharaj of Belur Ramkrishna Math was the first vice chancellor of Ramakrishna Mission Swami Vivekananda University. Dr. Rajendra Singh of Alwar, Rajasthan, a Magsaysay Award and Stockholm Water Prize winner graced the convocation as chief guest on the inaugural day. Singh is popularly known as 'Waterman of India'.
Dr. Kumar Kanti Das, who sacrificed his bright career in the USA dedicated his entire life in the service of the poor in the southern part of Assam where medical facilities were inaccessible. The octogenarian philanthropist had raised a charitable hospital at Srikona near Silchar. After receiving the D.Sc. degree a polite Dr Das exclaimed whether he really deserved the honour as much of his works were yet to be achieved. He dedicated the honour to those unsung warriors of his hospital who too worked with missionary zeal to provide service to the needy.
Maintaining that Ramkrishna Mission had been tirelessly working for last 125 years with a mission of nation building, Swami Atmapriyananda said, the honour was a recognition for their work. This was not a personal recognition, he added.
Vice Chancellor Prof Pant, who recently joined Assam University, said the institution had immense potential and a proper utilisation of this would definitely make the University a centre of excellence.
On Friday, the Convocation had Anil Prakash Joshi as the chief guest. Joshi, a Padmashree awardee, who hailed from Uttarakhand was a noted environmentalist. He founded Himalayan Environment Studies and Conservation Organisation.
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