Chennai, Nov 13: India's chess wizard, Grand Master Viswanathan Anand is also Dr Anand now! The private Sathyabama University, a Christian Minority institution here today conferred an Honorary Doctorate on the world chess champion at a special convocation in the university this morning.

The University, which has in the past honoured achievers like well known actor Kamal Hassan, another Tamil film superstar Vijay and Director Shankar in similar fashion, conferred the Doctorate on Anand in recognition of his unparalleled achievements in chess.

Accepting the honour, Anand, who is here on a month-long sojourn, returning home after winning the world title for a second time on September 29 in Mexico, said such gestures go a long way in inspiring the recipients to do even better.

''The Doctorate honour will definitely motivate me to strive harder'', Anand observed, thanking the university.

The varsity also conferred the Doctorate to Prof Vijay K Varadan, 21st century endowed Chair in Nano, Biotechnologies and Medicine, and a distinguished professor at the University of Arkansas, US.

Distinguished scientist and Chief Controller (R&D) DRDO, Dr A Sivathanu Pillai delivered the convocation address.

UNI