Patanjali Yog Peeth (UK) Trust

Parampujya Swami Ramdevji Maharaj was conferred Honorary Doctorate Degree by KIIT University here on Saturday for his extraordinary contribution in popularising the Vedic science of Yoga. It was the first Honorary Doctorate for Swami Ramdev and also first ever to be awarded by KIIT University. Saturday's was the second visit of the Swami to Orissa in less than a month's time.

The degree was conferred at a special convocation organised at KITT campus. Richard R. Ernst, who was awarded Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1991, delivered the convocation address.

Swami Ramdevji thanked the University for bestowing the honour on him. 'Pran' (breathing) holds the secret of well being and health, and 'pranayam' (a set of yogic procedure of regulated breathing) can cure all diseases, even those considered incurable, like cancer, in allopathic system of medicine, he asserted. He expressed confidence that through Yoga, the country can catapult into a major cultural, economic, social and political power in the world.

In his address, Prof. Ernst underscored the importance of research in making of a world class institution. Drawing from his own experiences, he outlined the qualities of a good researcher.

Speaking on the occasion, Secretary of Union Department of Science and Technology T Ramasami reminded that the greatest Indian challenge of the present time was preparation of youth for innovation and its use. It is the responsibility of our educational system to nurture a mindset that was conducive to innovation, he added.