Praful Patel conferred doctorate degree by Leeds University

The Leeds Metropolitan University of United Kingdom today conferred an honorary doctorate degree on the Minister for Civil Aviation, Shri Praful Patel. The University has stated that the conferment of the honorary doctorate degree on Shri Praful Patel is in recognition of his “outstanding contribution to the modernization of India’s civil aviation industry”.
Accepting the degree the Minister said that it was “a recognition of the progress of civil aviation in India”.
According to the Minister, the past three years or so have seen the redefining of civil aviation in India. Air travel in India was originally for an elite few. Things have changed dramatically and now it is a mode of mass travel. There has been an unprecedented growth of over 50% in domestic passenger traffic in the year 2006. Further domestic air services are now available to/from more than 75 airports across the country as against 50 in the year 2000.
Aviation is integral to the economy of the country. It has a big role in generating tourism, travel, industrial development, job creation and integration of the country. The sector has finally got momentum and is now poised for major growth. This growth is expected from the Level-II and Level-III cities across the country. The Indian economy has been growing at a healthy rate and should continue to do so for the years to come.
Each year the Leeds Metropolitan University confers honorary degrees on a small number of distinguished recipients. This year being the centenary year of the Leeds Met, it is being celebrated at the University’s Headingley campus. The University has marked these celebrations with a special Honorary Awards ceremony.
The decision of the University to confer the degree on Shri Praful Patel was conveyed to the Minister personally by Prof. Simon Lee, Vice Chancellor of the Leeds Metropolitan University.
07/06/07 Press Information Bureau (press release)

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Categories: Foreign Jun 2007, General Aviation Jun 2007