Kashmir University VC dedicates Padma Shri to Tagore,Nehru

“I dedicate this award to the great minds of India like Rabindranath Tagore and Jawaharlal Nehru who have always been an inspiration for me,” he said.

Punjabi said he felt “elated,happy and honoured” for being conferred the honour. “I am satisfied that Republic has acknowledged my work and efforts,” he said.

Punjabi,who is a Doctorate in Law,has had a career spanning over 40 years in academics and research.

He has authored six books and was a professor at the Centre for the Study of Social Systems in Jawaharlal Nehru University. Punjabi has contributed more than 200 research papers in national and international journals.

Punjabi was among 83 awardees in this year’s Padma Shri list which was announced earlier this week.

Referring to the criticism from certain sections about imposing a ban on student politics in the university campus,Punjabi said under the current circumstances allowing such activities was not possible.

“This is one area that people do not understand,it is an abnormal situation here and you never know what agenda people come up with,” he said,adding if the situation improves student politics might be allowed on the campus.