Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Sept 23: Manav Rachna University (MRU) conferred an honorary doctorate to Soka Gakkai International (SGI) president Daisaku Ikeda on Monday at New Delhi’s Dr Ambedkar International Centre.
This was in recognition of Dr Ikeda’s spectacular contribution towards global peace and building a humane society. Reflections of his grassroots movement can be seen in the growing acceptance of Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism in the Jammu region, especially by the youth in transforming their lives.
Amidst a well-attended gathering including educationists and other prominent citizens, Minoru Harada, president of Soka Gakkai, received the honorary doctorate degree on behalf of Dr Ikeda from Dr Prashant Bhalla, president of Manav Rachna Educational Institutions.
Talking about Dr Ikeda’s path-breaking peace initiatives, Dr Bhalla, who is also Chancellor, MRU (Manav Rachna University) said, “We at Manav Rachna, had a close tryst with some of his profound philosophies while reading about his works.”
He said further, “Observing his illustrious credentials in making world a better place to live in, his spectacular contribution to creation of a culture of peace in the field of humanities, and taking human happiness to the next level, Manav Rachna University considers it an honour and a privilege to confer Doctor of Philosophy, Honoris Causa upon Dr Daisaku Ikeda.”
In his acceptance speech, read out by President Harada, Dr Ikeda emphasized the importance of education: “The ultimate goal of education is the happiness and growth of each individual.” And that, “Wisdom, creative ingenuity, and relentless effort exerted in the field of education has the power to draw the outlines of a new future for humanity and for our planet, beyond all limitations.”