Labour leader and a resident of Navi Mumbai Prafull Shardana Mhatre was conferred with an honorary Doctorate (PhD) by the World Culture and Environment Protection Commission, a body officially affiliated with the Government of India, in recognition of his exemplary contribution to trade union activism and social work spanning over four decades.
The honorary PhD was awarded during a grand ceremony held at Shah Auditorium, Civil Lines, New Delhi, on June 28, 2025. "The felicitation was carried out by popular Punjabi film actor Bindu Dara Singh, son of wrestling legend Dara Singh. I was presented with a medal, certificate, and international membership of the Commission," said the secretary of the All India Hind Mazdoor Kisan Panchayat, Mhatre.
Mhatre, known as a specialist in departmental inquiries, was acknowledged for his role in representing workers' rights, particularly in cases involving complex inter-departmental investigations. His inclusion among the top 200 trade union experts in the country was officially recognised by the Government of India in a list published between July 28 and August 1, 2003. Notably, Mhatre was ranked 50th on that list.
Among his most remarkable achievements is his role as a defence representative for an employee of the Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Transport undertaking who had been accused of theft. "I successfully represented the worker through a departmental inquiry that continued uninterrupted for five years — a rare and record-setting feat," he said.
The event celebrated the achievements of over 150 distinguished personalities from across India in various fields. Among the special guests were veterans from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, who shared recollections of past milestones, including the historic Sindoor ceremony.
