India-born historian-author Shrabani Basu was awarded an honorary Degree of Doctor of Literature by the University of London this week.
Her critically acclaimed books include ‘The Mystery of the Parsee Lawyer’ (2021), ‘For King and Another Country’ (2015), ‘Victoria & Abdul’ (2010) which was adapted into an Oscar-nominated film starring Dame Judi Dench, ‘Spy Princess: The Life of Noor Inayat Khan’ (2006) and ‘Curry’ (1999).
University of London Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Mary Stiasny said London-based Basu was being honoured as a "thought leader" on India and the British Empire.
“A journalist, ‘Sunday Times’ bestselling author and historian, Shrabani’s work combines her twinned passions of journalism and history and often centres on British rule in India, exploring the past through the lens of hidden stories and marginalised voices,” she said.
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The ceremony was presided over by Chancellor of the University of London, Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal.
“These ceremonies are a wonderful celebration and an opportunity to reflect on their journey to London here this week. We take enormous pride in everyone’s achievements, both those so far, and those to come,” said University of London Vice-Chancellor Professor Wendy Thomson CBE.
In her address at the ceremony, Basu said: “For me, as an author, telling the stories of Indians in the First and Second World Wars has been a privilege. Many of the South Asian diaspora in Britain have ancestors who served in the war. Most know nothing or very little about them. I have seen first-hand how it energises them when I talk about it. It gives them a connection, a stake in the system, a sense of inclusion.
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“Much has been debated about the teaching of Empire in schools. I see this not as something divisive, but one that brings people together, promotes an understanding of each other’s culture and histories. Our shared future, is after all, based on our shared past.”
*Info: Shrabani Basu