London, July 19
In yet another feather to his cap, Bollywood superstar Amitabh
Bachchan was today conferred with the honorary degree of Doctorate of
Arts by a British university in recognition of his outstanding
contribution to the movie business in India.
Sixtyfour-year-old Bachchan, a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF,
received the degree at the graduation ceremony of the De Montford
University in Leicester.
The university had earlier conferred a honorary degree on former
South African President Nelson Mandela for his charity work.
De Montford University attracts a considerable number of students
from India every year.
Bachchan said he was deeply humbled by this recognition.
The megastar said his father Harivansh Rai Bachchan had done PhD in
English Literature from Cambridge University way back in 1954 and was
referred to as “Dr Bachchan” and whatever he is today is because
of the academic influence of his parents on him.
Amitabh Bachchan, who arrived here yesterday accompanied by
Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh, is expected to call on Jack Straw,
leader of the House of Commons, and other members of the Tony Blair
Cabinet tomorrow. — PTI
