Worcester (Boston) USA. 26 May:  165 year old Holy Cross College, Worcester conferred an Honorary doctorate on the Co-ordinator of Tarumitra, India, Robert Athickal S.J.

As part of the Commencement day of the college, the President M. McFarland  and the Dean Timothy Austinin the presence of over 6000 students, faculty members and their parents donned Robert Athickal the mantle reading out a specially prepared citation.

The citation said, “Tarumitra, through its many projects, has revolutionized the psyches of more than one million people. From a small seed you have planted, a wonderful life-sustaining alliance has taken root and prospered.”

Sharing the moment with him were the fellow recipients of the honorary degrees, Kevin M. Cahill, M.D,  once physician to Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, David Anderson, Winner of the 1981 Pulitzer Prize for distinguished journalism for his work in  New York Times, Donald P. Moriarty, financial wizard, and  James A. Welu, Director of the Worcester Art Museum.

710 students graduated at the convocation function. Earlier Jim Long, the director of the Holy Cross Arboretum organized a function where Fr. Robert planted a Linden tree at the entrance of the college. Present also was the Rector, Fr. Jim Hayes S.J along with the Tarumitra UN rep, Tresa Abraham.

It may be mentioned that the President of the college organized a special dinner on the eve of the Commencement Day.