Former Cabinet Minister Sharad Pawar honors Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla on receiving ‘Doctor of Humane Letters’ degree

Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla, founder of Serum Institute of India was felicitated by NCP Chief, Sharad Pawar, for being the first Indian to be conferred with the honorary ‘Doctor of Humane Letters’ degree. Fondly known as one of the 'seven vaccine heroes of the world,' Dr. Poonawalla was bestowed with the prestigious honorary degree by the University of Massachusetts in the US earlier this year for his outstanding contribution to the field of vaccination. The event was graced by Dr. Parvez Grant and hosted by veteran actor, Mr. Kabir Bedi at JW Marriot in Pune on 5th August, 2018.

The pioneer of vaccination in India, Dr. Poonawalla has been widely acknowledged for his unparalleled and continuous mission of global immunization. Upon being conferred with this degree, Dr. Poonawalla joined the list of exceptional leaders such as the former US President Barack Obama among other renowned public personalities. Spearheading the vaccination movement in India for the past 50 years, Dr. Poonawalla and Serum Institute of India have been successful in immunizing more than 20 million underprivileged children.

Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla, Chairman & MD, Serum Institute of India, said, “I am extremely humbled to receive such prestigious honor. Ever since, Serum Institute of India was established, our primary objective has been to make life saving vaccination available at the most affordable costs to the masses. We as Serum will continue to strive towards ensuring every child is immunized across the globe by producing lifesaving vaccines and world class infrastructure.”

“Dr. Poonawalla for the past 50 years has relentlessly driven the immunization drive in our country. Producing the most affordable vaccines in the world, Dr. Poonawalla’s primary motto has been to produce life-saving drugs and vaccines and have every child protected.  Saving more than 25 million underprivileged children across 170 countries. Cyrus took the responsibility of the under privileged children from not only in India but across the globe, and, it is because of his devoted contribution that today he has been nominated for the prestigious Nobel Prize. We are extremely proud to see the world acknowledging his unparalleled efforts towards ensuring full global immunization coverage. It is an occasion of great honor and pride for us,” said, former cabinet minister, Sharad Pawar at the ceremony.

Dr. Poonawalla was awarded the Padma Shri in 2005 for his contribution to medicine, and a lifetime achievement by the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Serum Institute of India is the world's largest vaccine manufacturer by the number of doses produced and sold globally.

Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla and Sharad Pawar

Sanjay Kappor with Adar Poonawalla

Cyrus Poonawalla, Sharad Pawar, Dr. Parvez Grant, Atul Chordia

Sanjay Datt along with Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla and Atul Chordia

Adar Poonawalla, Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla and Sharad Pawar

Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla, Sharad Pawar

Mallika Sherawat with Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla

Urvashi Rutela with Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla

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