Mysuru University to honorary Puneeth Rajkumar with doctorate posthumously

Fans of late actor Puneeth Rajkumar will be elated as the University of Mysuru has announced an honorary doctorate to the Puneeth Rajkumar. Recognizing Puneeth Rajkumar's contribution in the field of cinema and philanthropy such as funding the education of orphaned children, the University chancellor G Hemantha Kumar, on Sunday, announced the honorary doctorate posthumously.

The grand function will be held at the university's campus premises on March 22 on the occasion of the 102nd convocation ceremony. The late actor's doctorate is expected to be collected by his family. Interestingly, the same University honoured Puneeth Rajkumar's father and Kannada cinema's matinee idol, thespian Rajkumar with an honorary doctorate on February 8, 1976. Now, 45 years later, the university will be honouring his son, Puneet Rajkumar.

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Earlier, the Karnataka government had announced a special award 'Karnataka Rathna' posthumously; however, the date for the function has not yet been finalized. The Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike last month named a 12-kilometre peripheral road after the late actor.

Last year on October 29, Puneeth Rajkumar breathed his last after succumbing to a massive cardiac arrest. He was 46 years old at the time of his death. Hours before his sudden demise, Puneeth had done some light exercise and had also taken a steam bath. Later, he complained of discomfort in his chest and drove the car with his wife Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar, to their family doctor Ramana Rao. As his health deteriorated further, he was rushed to Vikram Hospital where he was declared dead after efforts were made to revive him.

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Meanwhile, the actor's last film, James, will soon be released in multiple languages across the theatres. On Sunday, the Sandalwood industry will hold a grand pre-release event in Bengaluru to celebrate the last film of the actor.

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• Puneeth Rajkumar
• University of Mysuru
• Karnataka
• Doctorate