CITATION: Conferment of Doctor of Science (honoris causa) on PM Dr. Manmohan Singh

Ludhiana, December 8, 2012: The following is the text of Citation of Conferment of Doctor of Science (honoris causa) on the PM Dr. Manmohan Singh during the Golden Jubilee Convocation of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) here today: “The Board of Management of Punjab Agricultural University has approved the conferment of the degree of Doctor of Science (honoris causa) on Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India and the architect of economic reforms in the country. 

            Dr. Manmohan Singh’s leadership as the Prime Minister of our country has won him wide acclaim.  He is respected the world over for his scholarship and his deep knowledge of the global economy. 

            Dr. Manmohan Singh passed his B.A. Economics (Hons.) Examination in 1952 and M.A. (Economics) in 1954 from the Panjab University, with a first position in the University in each examination.  He passed the Economics Tripos of the University of Cambridge in 1957 securing the top position and was awarded the Adam Smith Prize for 1956.  Dr. Manmohan Singh was elected to a Studentship at Nuffield College, Oxford and was awarded D.Phil. degree by the University of Oxford in 1962.

Before joining as Economic Advisor to the Government of India in 1971, Dr. Manmohan Singh served on the faculty of Panjab University and Delhi School of Economics.  He also had a brief stint at UNCTAD Secretariat, Geneva, Switzerland.  The important positions in Government of India that he held include Chief Economic Advisor, Ministry of Finance; Secretary, Ministry of Finance; Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission; Governor, Reserve Bank of India and Chairman, University Grants Commission.

            Dr. Manmohan Singh who lives a simple life entered politics as Member of Rajya Sabha in 1991.  As Finance Minister (1991-96) he set the country firmly on the path of economic reform and liberalization.  His stint as Finance Minister is recognized as one of the most significant periods of transformation of the Indian economy in the history of independent India.  He was sworn in as Prime Minister of India on 22 May, 2004 and subsequently for the second term on 22 May, 2009.

            Punjab Agricultural University is honoured and feels privileged in conferring Doctor of Science (honoris causa) on Dr. Manmohan Singh.”