Now, anyone can get an honorary 'Doctorate' for a fixed rate
Mangaluru: Apart from the two recognized doctorate degrees (Ph.D.) that are awarded to the intellects and others for their commendable services in various fields, a third form of the doctorate degree has recently become a trend.
While the first form of doctorate degree is awarded to scholars who work for years publishing journals, and thesis by recognized universities, the second one is known as Honorary Doctorate that is awarded to people with exceptional services and contributions in various fields. The third one which has become a new normal is a doctorate being awarded at a “fixed rate” to businessmen, politicians, and social figures with little or no contributions to society.
Earlier reports of such doctorates being awarded to people used to come from districts like Bengaluru, Mandya, and Mysuru but now the “fixed rate doctorate” is making inroads into the Dakshina Kannada district.
Social media groups are currently abuzz with reports of people getting these doctorate degrees with a particularly strange name. Users have subjected the receivers of these doctorate degrees to trolling on social media pages.
Several people in Mangaluru have been awarded these doctorate degrees which possess the slightly altered names of reputed international colleges and universities. The degrees are then conferred at hotels or other venues in Goa, Bengaluru, and elsewhere with a few men posing for a picture as guests on stage, wearing the robes worn during convocation ceremonies in universities.
Later the receiver releases the picture to media houses and on social media platforms as a publicity stunt claiming they have received a doctorate from reputed institutions and universities.
Social media users have recently trolled people receiving such honorary doctorates, while a few others have also shared their bitter experiences with those distributing these doctorate degrees.
Violating the criteria to be followed by institutions that can confer honorary doctorates, several organizations have been awarding honorary doctorates to people who barely meet the criteria of being conferred with this honor.
Although people have now begun to realize that these doctorates carry no authenticity, people who have received honorary doctorates from genuine universities and through their contribution in various fields feel let down.
Earlier in June this year, award-winning actor MK Mata had shared a Facebook post on the topic and had named it “Doctorate Maratakidde” meaning doctorate for sale.
Commenting on the issue today, he expressed his displeasure adding that the networking awarding these doctorate degrees is making people to suspect the people who have obtained their doctorates with merit and from authentic universities.
He also shared his experience from about three years ago when he received a call claiming that he would be awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Madras University.
“When I asked the caller about what was my contribution to be awarded an honorary doctorate, in a haste, they just told me to share the details they were asking and that they will take care of the rest.” He said adding they asked him for 50,000 rupees in exchange for the Honorary Doctorate.
Recently when a person called one such organization conferring Honorary Doctorate he was told to share his details through an email id along with his identity proof and details of his work. They told him their administrative committee will scrutinize his work and will get back to him in a week.
While claiming they do not take any money in exchange for the Honorary Doctorates, the organization hinted that they would accept donations that would come from the applicants.
It is important to keep the significance of Honorary Doctorate from reputed universities in mind, simultaneously it is also important to to be aware of this unauthentic third form of "Honorary Doctorate" that is vastly becoming a new normal in the region.
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Vedavyas Kamath objects to restrictions on late-night religious events in Dakshina Kannada
Bengaluru: Mangaluru South MLA Vedavyas Kamath raised objections in the Assembly over police restrictions on holding religious programs beyond 10:30 pm in Dakshina Kannada district. He alleged that while the police cite court and government orders, such hurdles never existed when the BJP was in power.
“Even when there was a Supreme Court order restricting events beyond 10:30 pm, religious programs faced no obstacles during our government. Now, with the Congress government, these restrictions are creating problems. The government must ensure that laws or court orders do not come in the way of traditional religious celebrations,” Kamath said.
He pointed out that during the recent Sri Krishna Janmashtami celebrations, police seized sound systems for allegedly using loudspeakers above the permitted decibel level. Cases were also filed against event organizers and sound system owners. Kamath demanded that no such disruptions should occur during upcoming festivals like Dasara and Ganesh Chaturthi.
“Why are these restrictions being imposed only in Dakshina Kannada when no such issues exist in other districts?” he asked.
Responding to him, ruling party members remarked, “Other districts are peaceful; your district has disturbances. Maintain peace, and you too will get permission.”
Intervening in the debate, Speaker U.T. Khader said, “In this country, laws may be broken, but traditions cannot be broken. Since religious programs in every community often take place late at night, the government should step in to find a solution to the inconvenience faced by the people.”
