Dravid declines BU doctorate, says he’ll earn it

Bengaluru: Cricketer Rahul Dravid has declined to accept the honorary doctorate that Bangalore University had decided to confer on him during its 52nd convocation ceremony on Friday. A press release from the university said the former Indian captain had thanked the university for choosing him for the honour but "in all humility declined to accept the degree". "He (Dravid) has conveyed that he would try to earn a doctorate degree by accomplishing some form of academic research in the field of sports rather than receiving an honorary degree," the release stated. Earlier on Wednesday, university vice-chancellor Thimme Gowda had said: "We have received information that he is reluctant to receive the award because he would rather earn it. However, the honorary doctorate is not gratis, it is a recognition. We are awarding him for his contributions to sports. We have been trying to get in touch with him, but he's is out of town. We will try to persuade him to accept it once he is back." Dravid was not available for comment. The university had suggested three names, including that of Dravid, to governor Vajubhai Vala, who is also the chancellor of the university, for conferring the honorary doctorate. Vala had approved only Dravid's name.