Ratan Tata to be conferred honorary Doctorate on Friday

MUMBAI: Top industrialist Ratan Tata is to be conferred a honorary doctorate in science for his extraordinary contribution to the growth of Indian industry and supporting the cause of science and technology.

He will be conferred with Degree of Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) at the 46th convocation of Indian Institute of Technology(IIT) here tomorrow.

President Pratibha Patil will confer the degree at the convocation ceremony which will be held at the IIT campus in suburban Powai.

"Tata is a strong proponent of values in business ethics and social responsibility and will be honoured for his far reaching vision," IIT Director Ashok Misra said.

Patil will also be presenting President of India medals as well as gold medals to meritorious candidates of the institute. She would also be delivering the convocation speech.

The President will be arriving in the city around 1130 hours and travel straight to IIT alongwith her staff, which would travel by a Volvo bus to minimise the number of vehicles in her cavalcade, official sources said.

Governor S C Jamir will preside over the convocation and Chairman of the Board of Governors of IIT Anil Kakodkar and Director IIT Ashok Misra will address the convocation. Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh will also be present on the ocassion, sources added.