Master blaster's wait for 'Dr' tag gets longer

It seems that batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar, who received the prestigious Bharat Ratna award on the day he retired from international cricket, has to wait for his ‘doctor’ title from the University of Pune. 

Varsity officials said that there is a long procedure for the same. With the varsity’s convocation ceremony slated to take place on February 10, it would be difficult to decide on awarding the degree to the Master Blaster in such a short period of time. 

On Wednesday’s management council meeting, the proposal of giving Tendulkar D.Litt degree was discussed and it has been decided that the proposal will be coming from the board of examination of the UoP and will be discussed in the senate. Later, the proposal will be sent to the management council, which will give the ultimate decision.  Senate members Dr Gajanan Ekbote, Santosh Dhore, Shashikant Tikote, Ashok Kamble and others had submitted a letter to Gade requesting him to confer the D Litt. degree on Tendulkar on behalf of the varsity.

“It has been decided that the formal proposal will be coming from the board of examination where the officials will be checking out legalities,” said Dr Gade. 

The next management council is to take place on February 5 and the convocation ceremony on February 10. “It is next to impossible for the varsity to award the degree to Tendulkar in the ensuing convocation ceremony,” said Santosh Dhore, a senate member.