MUMBAI, Aug 15: The vice chancellor of Mumbai University, Dr Snehalata Deshmukh, today felicitated meritorious candidates of the various bachelor's degree examinations held in the academic year 1996-97 at the Vidyanagari (Kalina) campus of the university.

Students who figured in the merit list in the streams of arts (BA), commerce (BCom) and science (BSc), including those topping merit lists of the varsity's newly introduced vocational courses were honoured on the occasion.

Shital Pawaskar of Wilson College topped the BA exams this year, Nigel Andrade of St Xavier's College stood first in the BSc exams, whereas Jean Fernandes of Podar College emerged the topper in the BCom examinations. Shital Pawaskar is the first student to have topped with Marathi as the chief language.

Congratulating the successful students, the vice chancellor in her address remarked, ``It is said that success is ninety per cent perspiration and ten per cent inspiration. You have worked hard and perspired, and this has inspired me to felicitate you today.''

She urged the students to resolve to wipe out illiteracy from the state and facilitate greater use of the Marathi language in the varsity. Deshmukh made special mention of Benedicta Issac and Kiran Kamath, two handicapped students who stood ninth and second in the BSc and BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) exams respectively.

M S Kamble, the officiating registrar of the university, and pro-vice chancellor Dr Naresh Chandra also addressed the students.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.