A R Rahman to be awarded honorary doctorate

Chennai: Music maestro A R Rahman, who won two Oscars for his score in Slumdog Millonaire, will be awarded an honorary doctorate by Anna University, Chennai in recognition of his feat and his overall achievements.

According to University Vice-Chancellor P Mannar Jawahar, Rahman along with space scientist Mayilsamy Annadurai and Local Administration Minister M K Stalin will be awarded the doctorates at a special convocation scheduled for March-end.

A decision to this effect was taken at the syndicate meeting, which decided to celebrate the Anna centenary year celebrations by awarding honorary doctorates to these persons, he said.

The university is named after DMK founder C N Annadurai, fondly called 'Anna'.

The Governor, to whom the list of names was submitted, had given his approval, he added.

While Rahman would be awarded the doctorate in Media Sciences, Annadurai and Stalin would receive their doctorates in aerospace technology and Humanities and Social Sciences, respectively.

Annadurai is being recognised for his achievements in space technology, while Stalin would be honoured for encouraging self-help groups in the state, Jawahar said.