University to honour singer Asha Bhosle

The 77-year-old singer will be conferred with D Lit degree by the Nashik-based varsity at its 17th convocation ceremony on March 1. "The Board of Management has decided to bestow an honorary D Lit on world-famous playback singer Asha Bhosle," YCMOU Regional Director Pradeep Dabali told media persons here today.

Fifty-seven prisoners from Maharashtra's different jails and seven visually impaired persons will be among 56,419 students who will be awarded degrees and diplomas, YCMOU officials said.

Governor and Chancellor of the University K Sankaranarayanan, Vice-Chacellor of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) Rajshekhar Pillai, Nashik Guardian Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, Minister for Higher education and Technology Rajesh Tope and YCMOU Vice-Chancellor R Krishnakumar will be present on the occasion, Dabali said.

Last year, as many as 1,23,974 students belonging to the backward classes and 1,22,242 women benefited from the open learning system of YCMOU, he said. The university has forged MoUs with Maharashtra Police, Indo-Tibetan Border Police and  Naval Dockyard. It has launched an MBA for police officers, he said.

Course have also been developed for the Mumbai Dabbawalahs, house-maids, bus, truck and autorickshaw drivers, Dabali said.