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New Delhi: Visiting
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was Friday conferred an honorary
degree of doctor of letters at Jamia Millia Islamia here and told
his audience that "when I am in India, I am at home".
Recalling his long professional and personal association with
India, Ban told a select gathering at the 92-year-old university
that his bonds with India run deep. He began his professional
career in India, his son was born in India, daughter is maried to
an Indian and his grandson, named Jai (an Indian name), is the
"world's finest joint venture" between India and South Korea, from
where he hails.
The eighth secretary-general of the United Nations was given the
Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) degree at an impressive ceremony by
Chancellor M.A. Zaki and Vice Chancellor Najeeb Jung for his
contribution to development and world peace. The event was
attended by his wife, the academic community and diplomats.
Ban Ki-moon is on a three-day visit to India during which he will
meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. He will also visit Mumbai.
"My journey in foreign service started right here... exactly 40
years ago, on my first diplomatic posting. It was one of the best
things that happened to me," said Ban to a packed M.A. Ansari
Auditorium.
"Ever since, I have drawn lessons from the proud history of India.
I have learned deeply from your traditions. Have been inspired by
your example," he added to loud applause.
Sharing his personal history with the country, Ban said his son
was born in India and years later his daughter married an Indian
man.
"The couple produced what I consider to be the world's finest
joint venture between our two countries -- my grandson, Jai!," he
said as the crowd burst into laughter.
"For all these reasons, I say: When I am in India, I am at home."
Ban Ki-moon, born June 13, 1944 in Korea, has been a career
diplomat. In 2011, he ran unopposed for a second term as UN
secretary general and was unanimously re-elected to the post by
the General Assembly.
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