Originally posted on the News-India Times, Oct 25, 2002

Gavaskar honored by American University

By VASANTHA ARORA

DARTMOUTH: Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar, who was the chief guest at the first anniversary of the Center for Indic Studies, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, was honored with a plaque in recognition of his service to India as a cricketer.

Chancellor Jean F. MacCormack, on behalf of the Center for Indic Studies, last week presented a plaque of recognition to Sunil Gavaskar that read �for your unparalleled service to India as a cricketer and in sincere appreciation for your dedicated and professional work in uplifting the image of India throughout the world. Your extraordinary efforts are a source of inspiration to youth in India, in the Indian Diaspora, and all over the cricket community.�

MacCormack compared Sunil Gavaskar to the United States sports icons like Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretsky, and Pete Sampras. Describing the Center for Indic Studies as one of the �Centers of Excellence� at UMass Dartmouth, she said academic institutions must honor recognition in all fields of human endeavors, including sports.

Gavaskar delivered an impressive speech, recalling his career as well as his difficult and enjoyable moments on and off the field. When asked to name the best bowler he had faced, Gavaskar said: �If I were taking credit for making 10,000 runs then I have to consider all the bowlers to be the best.�

Earlier, Professor Sukalyan Sengupta introduced Gavaskar as someone who displayed such technical brilliance, courage, concentration, and grit that he became the leader by example of a whole generation of Indians who refused to accept that they were in any way, shape or form inferior to other peoples.

�For this, we will ever remain indebted to Sunny,� said Sengupta. When asked to give a reason for his great success, Gavaskar simply said �luck,� and went on to elaborate how two simple catches were dropped by the West Indies during his first Test in 1971.

 Last Updated On: 3/29/06