Chennai: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi will be awarded the Doctor of Literature honorary degree by the University of Madras on September 5, 2008.

United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Director General Kandesh K. Yumkella will also be awarded the degree at a special convocation function to be held on Teachers Day i.e. September 5, also marking the conclusion of the university's 150th year celebrations.

The decision was taken at the varsity's senate meeting held on Friday. Dr. Manmohan Singh will be the second prime minister after Jawaharlal Nehru, who visited Madras University in 1957 on the occasion of its anniversary celebrations, to receive the award.

Earlier, it was decided to present the honorary degrees to Manmohan Singh, Karunanidhi and Sonia Gandhi along with ten other eminent personalities during the 150th convocation of the university last November. However, the event was postponed due to security reasons.

Karunanidhi will be the third chief minister from Tamil Nadu after M.G. Ramachandran and Jayalalitha to receive the award from the university.

Foundation stones for commemorative buildings will also be laid down on this occasion. Around 75 crores will be spent on this project. The construction of all these buildings is expected to be completed by August 2010, informed Vice Chancellor S. Ramachandran.

A wide range of books on different subjects will also be released on this occasion.