Aligarh, June 7 Oscar-winning music maestro A.R. Rahman was Sunday conferred an honorary doctorate (D.Lit) by the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) at its 59th convocation.

In this acceptance speech, Rahman said -

Honorable Chancellor Justice A.M. Ahmadi, Chief Guest Shri Gopalkrishna Gandhi, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. P.K. Abdul Aziz, Respected Deans, distinguished faculty and my dear students!

Jahan Waale Is Dar Se Kamyab Ho Kar Nikatle Hain Yeh Woh Dar Hai Jahan Se Ilam Ke Chashmein Ubalte Hain Aligarh Muslim University is a renowned centre of learning; and I sincerely thank you for this honour.

I am humbled and appreciative to have this honorary D. Lit. Conferred upon me by a university that is not only of the oldest universities of India, started by the eminent Sir Syed Ahmed Khan in 1875, but which also has, as a part of its scholarly community, some of the most prestigious members - APJ Abdul Kalam, Zakir Hussain, Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan, Maulana Mohd. Ali Jauhar and Raja Rao, just to name a few. It is indeed an honour to be considered as a part of the community and to stand proudly alongside those who have been honoured by the great seat of learning before me.

In accepting this D. Lit., I pay tribute to the university that has been acclaimed both nationally and internationally as a champion of Equality and Diversity within academia - something that is especially close to my heart, has become an increasing focus in my own life over this past year; a long-time dream of mine was finally realized last August, when I opened my own school, KM Music Conservatory, a school of Western music and technology, where I hope to encourage students to share my vision of creating a multi-heritage and multicultural society; I set high standards for those interested in pursuing music as a viable and beneficial profession, and hope that this will also help to restore the confidence in the general public as to the value of music education and its related technology. With Aligarh Muslim University, I share a vision that embraces diversity and acknowledges the benefits that each person can bring to the progressive development of our world.

Indian tradition and philosophy have always given me direction in life, and it is only with these values, motivations, and the people who support me that my success has been realized, both nationally and now, after the 2009 Oscar, BAFTA and Golden Globe Awards, internationally. My father exemplified loyalty and endurance, and bequeathed me my life-long love of music; my mother endowed upon me by ambition and gave me the courage to believe in my own ability; to make my dreams happen; and, finally, everyday, my wife gives me the energy and the encouragement that I need to be creative and to remain forever
imaginative - to think 'success', and, further, to use that success for the benefit of all by creating opportunities for learning and for employment that seek to overcome social barriers and economic constraints. I choose to work for the service of man and for the sacred relationship between man and man in society; and in music, I find a transcendent language that all can understand that can bring all together - a language that awakens in each of us an awareness that all energy is spiritual energy, and that the fate of one is linked to the fate of all. Nelson Mandela once said:

"Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms."

The quest is endless, and it is in this spirit that I urge young people to continue learning and to participate with me in building a strong, harmonious, India and World. On this hopeful note, I would like to conclude and thank you once again for this honor, privilege and wonderful opportunity.