Japan's Okayama University confers honorary D.Lit. to Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her gratitude after receiving an honorary degree from Okayama University, Japan, calling the recognition a reflection of the long-standing friendship between the two nations. She said she was “overwhelmed” by the honour and thanked Japan “on behalf of Mother Earth and Manush” for its love for humanity.

Banerjee highlighted the academic agreement between Sister Nivedita University (SNU) and Okayama University, saying it would further strengthen educational collaboration between India and Japan. She noted that Japan has been a consistent partner of the Bengal Global Business Summit for seven years and praised the growing presence of Japanese companies in Bengal and across India.

Drawing from history, Banerjee reminded that figures like Rabindranath Tagore, Swami Vivekananda, Rashbehari Bose, and Subhas Chandra Bose shared deep ties with Japan. “History will not forgive us if we forget Subhas Chandra Bose. No one knows the date of his death, but the country will always remember his deeds,” she said.

Promising to visit Japan next year, Banerjee remarked that many students from Bengal pursue higher education and research in Japan. Concluding her address, she said, “I live my life like an LIP, not a VIP,” reaffirming her grounded image while expressing optimism about future India-Japan cooperation.