Smriti Irani confers honorary degree to boxing champion Mary Kom

SHILLONG: Union Minister Smriti Irani today conferred honorary degree to Olympian and five-time Boxing World Champion M C Mary Kom and first woman Chairperson of the Union Public Service Commission Rose Millian Bathew for their contributions in respective fields.

The pugilist from Manipur, who is also coaching the underprivileged children in boxing and an animal rights activist, was conferred with the degree in absentia while 85 year-old Rose received the award in person.

"The degree of Doctor of Letters (honoris causa) is hereby awarded by NEHU to M C Mary Kom ... in recognition for her outstanding contributions in the field of sports," the citation which NEHU VC S K Srivastava conferred on Kom, said.

For Rose, the citation read, "... in recognition of her invaluable contribution in teaching, public administration and towards the society at large," she was honoured in person by the HRD Minister herself during the 23rd convocation of the Central University.

Over 10,000 students were conferred with degrees in various disciplines in the university.