Guwahati, Jan 19: Assam University, Silchar, on January 19 conferred a Doctor of Literature (D.Litt.) degree on Guwahati Police Commissioner and Inspector General of Police (STF) Parthasarathi Mahanta, marking a rare academic honour for a serving police officer.
With the recognition, Mahanta became the first Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from Assam to receive a D.Litt. degree. The honour was awarded during the university’s convocation ceremony, where around 13,600 students and research scholars were conferred degrees across various disciplines.
The degree was presented by Swami Atmapriyananda Ji, Pro-Chancellor of the Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Institute of Education and Research, Belur Math, West Bengal, in the presence of Assam University Chancellor and former Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, and Vice-Chancellor Rajeev Mohan Pant.
Speaking to reporters after the ceremony, Mahanta said he was deeply honoured by the recognition, describing it as an acknowledgement of his service to society. Reflecting on the broader meaning of education, he said education goes beyond the mere acquisition of degrees.
“A degree does not necessarily mean education. You may have a degree, but if you lack values, that education has no meaning,” Mahanta said. Stressing the importance of moral and ethical grounding, he added, “We have to be educated from the core of our hearts and understand what education truly teaches us. Without values, people can easily go the wrong way.”
His remarks highlighted the need to view education not merely as an academic pursuit, but as a process of instilling values that guide responsible citizenship and service to society.
