Rahul turns down an honorary doctorate; Sachin and Anand did too!

Rahul Dravid has refused an honorary doctorate from the Bangalore University. Sachin Tendulkar had done so too. A whole list of Indian sportspersons have been given honorary degrees — in recognition of their achievements — by universities around the world. Here is a look at some of them!

Sachin Tendulkar was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Mysore. In a letter, his wife Anjali Tendulkar thanked the university for the gesture, but said the star batsman had decided not to accept honorary doctorates while being active in cricket.

Former World chess champion Viswanathan Anand had to turn down an honorary doctorate, to be conferred on him by the University of Hyderabad in August 2010, because of some bureaucratic hurdles. A special convocation had been planned for Anand, who was to have received the award at the International Congress of Mathematicians, which was going on in Hyderabad then. But then a question came up about Anand's nationality and the chess maestro, who was holding an Indian passport all along, was hurt by some allegations and decided not to accept the honour.

Ace shooter Abhinav Bindra was awarded an honorary doctorate by the SRM University in Chennai. Accepting it, Bindra said he would help the university in the promotion of sports.

Former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was awarded an honorary doctorate by the De Montfort University (DMU) in 2011. Speaking about it, Dhoni said "I am amazed and honoured to receive this award, I see this award as an honour for not only me as the captain of the Indian cricket team, but as something for the whole team to be proud of." Speaking about the award, the Vice-Chancellor of DMU, Professor Dominic Shellard, said: "De Montfort University is honoured to join with our key partner, the Leicestershire County Cricket Club, in recognising Mahendra Dhoni's significant sporting achievements, in the presence of many of our staff and students."

Sourav Ganguly was conferred an honorary doctorate by the Bengal Engineering and Science University for his contribution to the country’s sports. In his acceptance speech, he said, "When you get out of this campus, remember to give everything you have in everything you do so that when you go back home in the evening or after finishing your career and stand in front of the mirror, you can say to yourself that ‘I have given everything I have.'

When Sunil Gavaskar was given an honorary doctorate by the Dr. D.Y. Patil University, the former Indian skipper said, "I thank the university for this doctorate, which is an honour for Indian cricket, for all those who supported me and played with me. This university, which has one of the best cricket stadiums in the world, is doing a great job. It is helping shape the future of our country.”

The elegant batsman, V. V. S. Laxman, was conferred with an honorary doctorate in 2015 by the TERI University. Accepting it, Laxman said, "I am happy because I wanted to become a doctor, but realized my dream to play for the country. This is the right time for the youth to realize their personal aspirations and bring glory to the nation."

Saina Nehwal was conferred an honorary degree of Doctor of Literature by the SRM University, Chennai. Nehwal said, "I am very honoured to receive this honorary doctorate. My father will be very proud of me today because he is a scientist, and he always wanted me to be a doctor. My mom wanted me to be an Olympian."

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Sachin Tendulkar was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Mysore. In a letter, his wife Anjali Tendulkar thanked the university for the gesture, but said the star batsman had decided not to accept honorary doctorates while being active in cricket.