University of Calcutta Special Convocation Address 1921/Speech by H. R. H. the Prince of Wales

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2545550University of Calcutta Special Convocation Address 1921 — Speech by H. R. H. the Prince of WalesGeorge V



SPEECH

BY

H. R. H. THE PRINCE OF WALES

After H. R. H. had received the Degree, he spoke as follows:

Your Excellency, Mr. Vice-Chancellor, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I thank you for the very high honour which you have conferred on me by granting me an honorary degree of your University.

My father, His Imperial Majesty the King Emperor, received this honour at your hands in 1906, and six years later recalled the pleasure which the ceremony had afforded to him, in his reply to a loyal address presented to him by the representatives of your University.

On the latter occasion His Majesty dwelt on the high ideals which should animate Universities in India, and in his confidence that the labours of your governing body would be inspired by those noble standards and that you would shoulder your high responsibilities with a courage which would command success. At the same time His Majesty’s deep interest in the cause of education was shown by his special commands to his Governor General regarding the expansion and improvement of education generally in India. I am gratified to hear that his wishes in the latter respect have borne fruit. It will be of interest to His Majesty to learn from me that his confidence in you was not misplaced; and that in the rapid expansion of educational facilities, which has occurred, one of the important features has been the co-operation of bodies such as your University, in measures calculated to extend and improve the system of higher education in India in proportion to the expansion and progress which is taking place in other departments of education in this country. That this co-operation is cheerfully given in the face of financial and other difficulties redounds to your credit.

Gentlemen, I will not detain you longer. I trust that the honorary degree with which you have presented me to-day, will form a real bond of union between me and the University of Calcutta.