Panjab University honour to come home to Khushwant Singh

CHANDIGARH - Noted author-journalist Khushwant Singh will be honoured by Panjab University with a D.Litt. degree at a special function at his residence in New Delhi next month, a university spokesman said Saturday.

The decision was taken by the university’s syndicate keeping his age and health in mind, the official said.

Khushwant Singh, 96, had recently written to the university, which had announced to confer him with the D. Litt. degree, that in view of his age and poor health he would not be able to attend the convocation to be held Feb 14 to receive the degree personally.

Panjab University Vice Chancellor R.C. Sobti then proposed that a small function may be allowed to be arranged at the author’s residence in New Delhi where the honorary D. Litt degree could be conferred on him.

Khushwant Singh had earlier requested the university to consider the name of Sharda Kaushik, who has co-authored a book with him, to get the degree on his behalf.

But as a special gesture, the university decided to arrange a function at the author’s home itself.