Prime Minister Manmohan Singh while speaking after receiving the honorary doctorate (D Litt) from Tamilnadu Governor and Madras University Chancellor Surjit Singh Barnala Chennai at the special convocation and valediction of the 150th year fete of the institution said ever since the dawn of human civilization, Indian subcontinent nurtured eminent scholars, scientists and litterateurs who had developed the culture of higher learning.

Further, he said huge investments were being made on elementary, secondary, higher and technical education which would take India to new level of progress. UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Karunanidhi and UNIDO director general Kandeh K Yumkella were presented with honorary doctorates by the Governor Barnala.