Mammootty’s delight should not turn out as Mohanlal’s discontent.

The new cinema “Patanathil Bhootham” has brought new laurels in the form of doctorate to cine star Mammootty. The University of Kerala has decided to confer honorary doctorate on him along with film maker Adoor Gopalakrishnan, veteran mrudangam expondent Umayalpuram Sivaraman. The three, of course, are eligible for such an award as they are the toppers in their respective field. However, when it comes to Mammootty one cannot rule out the political intention behind it. Since the University of Kerala is now run by a Left dominated Syndicate and Mammooty obviously keeps a Left proclivity with his association with CPM owned Kairali TV Channel, it is rather fishy in granting this honour. Is Mohanlal not eligible for Ph D from Kerala University? Mammootty’s delight should not turn out as Mohanlal’s discontent.

Mahatma Gandhi University in January 2006 had conferred the Doctor of Letters on Adoor Gopalakrishnan. The Cochin University of Science and Technology did a parallel act by awarding D Lit to Infosys Chairman Narayana Murthy and scientist Madhavan Nair. The special convocation ceremonies set at respective University centres seemed multihued as the conferrers and takers of the honours came out in gold-gladded shining red garments. Though the accomplishments of the recipients are recognized internationally the Universities, which are very sluggish in act and non-student friendly, have no reasonable credit to organize such functions. In MGU the entire examination system is often jeopardized and the students have to move pillar to post for their genuine requirements attended. When a student phoned to the office of the University at Kottayam once for his missing hall ticket, the prompt reply from the NAAC accredited University was not so pleasant for him. “The messenger in charge of hall tickets expired yesterday” is a mnemonic to him for his future relationship with the University.

The Kerala University too is unresponsive in their act to student community. For instance the Union ministry of education has various schemes offering scholarships to needy students through Kerala University. But if they are not dispensed on time by the University, what is the use of these scholarships? The postgraduate scholarship for rank-holders of all Indian universities for the academic session 2007-09 has been sanctioned by the University Grants Commission. The fund has been issued to the universities, and the awardees have been asked to contact the registrars of their respective institutions. However, the registrar of the University of Kerala seems reluctant to confirm when and how the students will receive the funds. The students are about to complete their course by March. The scholarships are meant for the daily expense of the students such as hostel fees and if it is not released in time what is very purpose of it. The Registrar can easily find out who the awardees are by looking up the results of the concerned departments for the particular academic session. It is unfortunate that the toppers of a university recognized by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council are being mistreated by the institution that should have been proud of them.


The Universities in Kerala award innumerous degrees every year but no recipient is seen honoured in convocations arranged by the University. Then why is this fancy dress spending a huge sum to honour those people who are already internationally acclaimed with one or more D Lits? It is now Adoor’s turn to not attend such a travesty function by spoiling people’s money The Universities in Kerala should stop such farce in future. It is not only pro-left Mammootty, there are actors like Mohanlal, Thilakan, Nedumudi Venu, Sheels, Sarada, Kaviyur Ponnamma and others qualified for doctorate in acting.

K A Solaman
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