Shankar Mahadevan, Shabana Azmi, and Leander Paes Honoured with Doctorates

Musician Shankar Mahadevan, actress Shabana Azmi, and former Indian tennis player Leander Paes were honoured with honorary doctorates by Techno India University (TIU), a prestigious institution in Kolkata, on Monday.

Expressing his gratitude, Shankar Mahadevan said, "This is a very special day for me. I am completely grateful and honoured to receive this Doctorate from Techno India, a very prestigious organisation." He further added, "I feel even more blessed because of the people along with whom I received it... I thank them for giving me this honour. It is also a responsibility to work harder in the field of music, not just for entertainment but to use music as a tool for the betterment of humanity and address various causes that are associated with human beings."

Mahadevan also delighted the students with a rendition of his iconic song from the movie Lakshya.

Earlier in the day, Shabana Azmi shared her excitement on Instagram after receiving the honorary doctorate in the presence of the Former President of India, Ram Nath Kovind. Her post was soon flooded with congratulatory messages from fans and colleagues alike. Actor-director Farhan Akhtar commented, "Congratulations," while actor Shibani Dandekar expressed her appreciation with a series of emojis.

This recognition highlights the contributions of these personalities not only in their respective fields but also in their efforts to use their platforms for the greater good. The honorary doctorates serve as a testament to their dedication and impact on society.