Why we love Dravid so much: Declines honorary PhD by Bangalore Uni, wants to “earn” one

Eminent cricketer and former Indian captain Rahul Dravid has declined to accept an Honorary Degree conferred on him by the Bangalore University.

While declining to accept it “in all humility”, Dravid said that he would earn a doctorate degree through research in the field of sports, rather than accept an honorary one.

The degree was to be conferred on the cricketer on the occasion of 52nd  Annual Convocation of Bangalore University scheduled to be held on 27th January.

According to reports, the University had shortlisted the names of three persons including Dravid, and Karnataka Governor and the university’s Chancellor had selected Dravid’s name.

Dravid, who is currently the Indian U-19 team coach, spent his childhood in Bengaluru and studied at St Joseph’s College for Commerce and later went on to do an MBA St Joseph’s College of Business Administration.

According to a press release from the university signed by the university’s Vice Chancellor, Dravid “thanked” the university for recognizing him, but declined to accept the Hon. Degree. 

The Times of India reports that in 2014, Dravid was shortlisted among the 12 personalities to be conferred with an honorary doctorate by Gulbarga University. However, Dravid had then failed to attend the event.