Priyanka Chopra fails to make it for doctorate conferment ceremony, 'heartbroken'

Film star Priyanka Chopra was left "heartbroken" after she missed out on the "special moment" of getting honoured with a doctorate degree by Bareilly International University because her flight was delayed by smog.

"I am heartbroken that I will not be able to attend the convocation ceremony and receive my honorary doctorate in person at the Bareilly International University today," Chopra said in a statement. "We have been at the airport since this morning waiting for clearance from the ATC [air-traffic control]."

Earlier, Chopra had been praying to be able to make the journey, but it was all in vain. "Weather gods and goddesses, please do your thing and clear the skies. I really need to get to Bareilly! Fog lockdown. This can't be happening," she had tweeted.

The Miss World 2000, currently in Delhi, was supposed to visit Bareilly, her hometown in Uttar Pradesh, today to attend the ceremony. "My team explored all other possible options to get there, but the fog has put to rest all plans for today," the Quantico actress said. "I was really looking forward to going back to Bareilly… not just to receive the honorary doctorate but also to see old friends and family and reconnect with a city that has been such an important part of my life.

"I want to thank the university for being so understanding and amazing and I wish every graduate all the very best as they set forth on a new journey. I will see you all again very soon," she added.

University chancellor Keshav Kumar Agrawal was supposed to honour Chopra with the degree in the presence of Union environment minister Harsh Vardhan and Uttar Pradesh finance minister Rajesh Agarwal.