World chess champion Viswanathan Anand has refused to accept the honorary doctorate, which was to have been conferred on him by the University of Hyderabad (UoH) at a special convocation at the ongoing International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM) 2010 here on Tuesday.
“There is no way he is going to take the award now and during this congress,” Mr. Anand's agent, Abraham Kuruvilla, told reporters soon after the ICM's executive organising committee (EOC) and UoH, a central university, issued a strongly-worded statement, criticising the “insensitive bureaucratic obstructions.”
EOC secretary Rajat Tandon said all arrangements were made for conferring the doctorate, but “Mr. Anand has changed his mind and he doesn't want any controversy.”
Hopes of Mr. Anand accepting the doctorate were rekindled after Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal spoke to him over telephone and apologised, but they turned short-lived when EOC chairman M.S. Raghunathan declared that the Grand Master would not be conferred the doctorate “at least in this edition of the ICM.''
In a statement, the EOC and the UoH expressed “sadness” over the fact that the special convocation to confer an honorary doctorate on “one of our greatest sports personalities'' Viswanathan Anand could not be held because of “insensitive bureaucratic obstructions.” The EOC said it was deeply saddened by the “unfortunate turn of events” and conveyed its deep apology.
Mr. Anand, who flew in here on Sunday in anticipation that the event would go off smoothly, appeared a little hurt over the developments questioning his nationality. “I have always played under the Indian flag, held an Indian passport, right from the time I took my first overseas trip. I do not understand the issue. I am here to play against the mathematicians and to enjoy the Congress. So let us leave it at that,” the statement quoted him as saying.
The Grand Master, however, was engaged in a more than three-hour contest with 40 mathematicians. He was his usual self during a question-and-answer session with them. He lauded 10 opponents who held on tenaciously till the last moment.
The idea of conferring the doctorate was mooted as early as October 2009. The UoH enthusiastically took up the proposal, did the necessary background work and submitted it for clearance to the Human Resource Development Ministry. Despite repeated follow-ups by it, the Ministry did not forward the proposal to the President, who is also the Visitor of the university.
Keywords: HRD ministry, honorary doctorate, Viswanathan Anand
This is a typical so-called Indian Masala. Due to such bungling of this issue, Anand should defect to the country [Spain ?] where he is currently put-up, similar to the case of Painter Hussein [who defected to Qatar] and play for that country forever as a good punch.
Thanks to our Ministries & the way we treat our genuine genius. We don't deserve good things. We always crib, grudge & envy. Anand you are great by not disappointing the people who waited to play with you. We all salute you, though our Ministries deny, you are above all this degree, doctorates. Indian ministries need sycophants. You please concentrate on your game & bring more laurels.
There is nothing wrong in checking whether Anand holds an Indian Passport.
I dont think its such a big issue.If I were in Vishys shoes, I would have gladly given all the necessary documents without hesItation. In this era of globalization, its very difficult to track and know the status of any given person's nationality, especially someone who is living as a permanent resident outside of his country of origin. There are certain protocols to be fulfilled while conferring certain titles. When there is a prescribed protocol, why should he take unnecessary risk and flout prescribed norms? BTW, I have seen many people who surrender all their dignity and obediently, quietly and unassumingly cooperate with officials when they are in a foreign country, especially in the west.
Anand should respect the country that treats him with dignity. There is no "sin" in accepting the land he lives and treats him with respect. He should therefore take Spanish citizenship and play for Spain. He can still have "Indian ideals".
Even if it is assumed that he is no more an Indian citizen, is he the only Indian who has taken another country's citizenship? It may not be the handiwork of bureaucrats alone. Something fishy is going on in this country.
Thank you for appropriately highlighting an issue of importance in our national character. We have managed to hurt our Champion, in a way that even the politicians (of past) in the FIDE would not. It is more disturbing than anything else- that an individual like Anand with such impeccable conduct may be disliked by any quarters.
I am an Indian and settled abroad for about 10 years. But I and my family still hold Indian passports and remain Indian by language, culture and tradition. If we are not coming back to India, it is not because of the money alone. It is due to the Govt. policies and the poor infrastructure. But we would remain Indians for our life.
In a country where politicians revel in awarding each other Doctorates, what else can we expect? I am so sorry to be turning into such a cynic, but this is pathetic.
Vishy doesn't need this Doctorate. Please leave him alone to play his game. If you can't help, don't trouble him at least.
The refusal of Anand to accept the honorary doctorate because of the insensitive bureaucratic obstructions has left behind a black spot on the face of Indian politics.
Why can't India introduce double citizenship? What does India fear from individuals who are settled in other lands? Some countries even have voting for their people who are settled abroad. Unfortunately India and Indians look down upon those settled abroad.
Very unfortunate that one of the greatest sporting heroes of the nation of all time could not be recognized by the HRD ministry. Wonder who's next in line ...???
At least Kapil Sibal apologised. Suresh Kalmadi in another 'News Item' states..." Star pull outs will not affect 'CWG' ....What a shame.
This is no way to treat a great Champion.
Anyway being the wonderful human being that he is, he has handled it in a very dignified way!
Hope things like this do not happen again.
Vishy should be named as a Bharatratna in compensetion
Unfortunate that a brilliant world champion has been slighted unnecessarily and perhaps inadvertently. Geniuses like Anand are global citizens for the right reasons and yet Anand will always remain an Indian icon.
We are so advanced in Information Technology, that a national hero's citizenship information could not be shared between bureaucrats in time to avoid this kind of embarrassment. We are right now, looking like clowns in a failed circus. Anand has done absolutely the right thing.
One fails to understand what these " buraucratic obstructions" are all about? UOH lost wonderful chance to honour the person who is one of the finest personalities of sports of all times. India needs to be sensitive in honouring its sports personalities.
Mr. Sibal pl. take note of our dissent to the style of working of these babus in this country including your ministry.
Only compensetion acceptable is awarding Bharatratna to V. Anand
There is no "sometimes" Mr. Sibal. Mr. Sibal should take all the responsibility for such inefficiency in his ministry. As a citizen, I would like to know who was responsible and what action was taken after this incident. Is Mr. Sibal looking into the process and eliminate such inefficiency?
Doubt about Anand’s citizenship is one more example of how careless and shoddy the HRD babus can be in their work. If they had any doubt about his status they just had to go by the rule book. All they wanted to find and know is already in the government’s records. A click of the mouse would have brought in all the details about any eminent person they wanted to know. According to law any person acquiring citizenship of another country would have his passport cancelled and withdrawn. Any frequent traveler as Anand will have all the details of his passport in the immigration department. A quick check with them would have given all the necessary details about his passport and citizenship to the HRD department. With all these one is astonished to find the goof up and embarrassment caused to Anand an Indian icon. Kapil Sibil graciously called on Anand, apologized and contained the damage to some extent.
It is an act of shame whosoever has done this,now the blame may go to a clark who made the entry!! It's no wonder why people get bad feelings dealing with Indian babus. The problem is, this is not the last case.
Generally newspapers do sensational reporting and not much importance is attached except in events of this sort. It would be appropriate for the Human Resources Minister to investigate the matter thoroughly and initiate stringent action against the officer for this bungling so that recurrence does not occur. This has indeed caused a lot of embarrassment to all concerned.
Dear Editor, We fell very bad the honouring of Mr.Anand the No 1 Chess Champion of the world has met with a controversy.
Was there any reason for Anand to settle down abroad? Sports stalwarts like Gavaskar, Tendulkar are still staying in India. Anand brought upon himself the predicament of having to prove his patriotism.
This is sad news to read. If a person of eminent caliber like Viswanathan Anand gets treated so indifferently by the Indian government what sort of message this sends to other Indians world over. I hope this error gets corrected soon and Mr. Anand gets the recognition he deserves.
A 'sorry' does not wipe away an insult.
Anand has always played under the Indian flag. If only we had a strong Tamil Nadu Government to take this up with the Central Government and caution them.
I feel very sorry for Anand, and undoubtedly so would many fellow Indians.
What does it matter what a recipient's nationality is? Are you giving the honorary doctorate to the person or to his/her country?
If Anand's Indianness is in doubt then we who live in North-East have no chance at all to be termed as Indian.
I hope Mr. Anand is taking this well and just playing his best.
Anand has to re-think about his denial since University of Hyderabad has nothing to do with the controversy. He should respect the doctorate of the University rather keeping anger on HRD.
It is pathetic to see such humiliation is inflicted on our personalities who have international repute.
It is appreciative that ICM's EOC understands Mr. Anand's position on this issue, which is commendable. Whenever possible, Institutions and Organizations like, will need to support citizens to expose and embarrass the inefficiency and bureaucracy that plague government ministries. It is but the first step to demand accountability from our elected officials. Bravo!
This is such a disappointment. Sports persons such a Anand should be lauded in our country.
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