Koyasan University presents Devendra Fadnavis with honorary doctorate

Ryusho Soeda San, President (Dean) of Koyasan University, presents Maharashtra Dy CM a letter of appreciation

Maharashtra's deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis has been bestowed with an honorary doctorate by Koyasan University of Japan. He is the first Indian to receive such an honour from the prestigious institution that started as a small school in 1886.

Fadnavis, who is on an official tour of Japan - with whom Maharashtra has developed a partnership for infra and transport projects - visited the university on Tuesday. Ryusho Soeda San, President of Koyasan University, announced that the Mayor of Koya-cho Yoshiya Hirano will ceremonially hand over the doctoral citation to Fadnavis in Mumbai later this year.

Fadnavis shares a special connection with the famous Buddhist study centre, Koyasan University, where he had inaugurated a statue of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar in 2015. As the CM, he had taken an initiative to gift the statue to the university on behalf of the Maharashtra Government. The university presented Fadnavis with a letter of appreciation after the deputy CM visited the statue on Tuesday to pay his respects to the social reformer.

"I'm grateful and humbled beyond words. I thank Ryusho Soeda San of Koyasan University, for the honorary doctorate, which holds a special place in my heart, as it acknowledges our efforts towards the development of diverse sectors. It's a testament to the hard work and dedication of countless individuals who have worked tirelessly for our Maharashtra," said Fadnavis.

Shuhei Kishimoto, governor of Wakayama Prefecture, hosted Fadnavis and his delegation over lunch. The discussion centred around developing ties between Maharashtra and Wakayama. A special cell will be set up in Maharashtra to attract Japanese investment, said Fadnavis.

India ambassador to Japan Sibi George hosted Fadnavis over dinner in Tokyo. Scientists, corporate leaders, artists and professionals from various sectors were among the guests. Fadnavis told the guests about the Japanese industrial park in Maharashtra and invited them over to the state with investment proposals.