Australian honour for Pandit Ravi Shankar

Renowned sitar player Pandit Ravi Shankar will receive an honorary Doctor of Law degree from the University of Melbourne for his contribution to music and humanity.

Renowned sitar player Pandit Ravi Shankar will receive an honorary Doctor of Law degree from the University of Melbourne for his contribution to music and humanity, it was announced today.

The degree will be awarded Friday at a special ceremony in Melbourne by the university chancellor and chairman of the Australia India Institute, Alex Chernov, a statement from the Australian High Commission here said.

The honorary degree is awarded by the University of Melbourne and recognises people who have excelled in public service or cultural achievement.

Previous recipients of the degree include Burmese democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi and Tibetan leader the Dalai Lama.