Introduction
Recognition is not just a certificate or a moment on stage. It is a formal expression of appreciation for someone’s life work, dedication, or contribution to society. But a question that often arises in discussions around honorary degrees is: Should such recognition always be free?
In an ideal world, perhaps. But in the real world, especially in a vast and diverse country like India, the work behind conferring recognition itself demands resources, structure, and commitment. When the process of recognising someone involves effort, verification, and logistics, the idea of a one-time fee becomes not only practical — it becomes necessary.
The Misconception About “Free” Recognition
Many people assume that because honorary titles are not academic degrees earned through exams, they should be given without any cost. But this view ignores the work involved in:
- Accepting and reviewing nominations
- Verifying background contributions
- Designing and issuing formal certificates
- Conducting virtual convocations or publishing citation videos
- Managing digital archives and communication with recipients
All these steps require time, people, platforms, and tools. When institutions do this work sincerely, a one-time fee supports the structure — not the honour itself.
To expect all of this to happen without any support is unrealistic and unsustainable.
Serious Work Deserves a Serious Process
Whether it’s a rural environmentalist, a spiritual teacher, a health volunteer, or a grassroots educator, the person being recognised has done serious work — often over years, without expecting rewards. Their work deserves to be honoured with care, not casualness.
And care requires structure. A thoughtful process, handled with dignity and transparency, needs administration, technology, and communication systems. These things are not free. A reasonable processing fee ensures that:
- The recognition is timely and well-organised
- The system remains accessible to more people
- Institutions don’t rely only on donations or sponsors
It is not about charging for the honour. It is about ensuring the honour is conferred with the respect it deserves.
Digital Platforms Make It Easier, Not Cheaper
Some assume that since everything is digital now, it must be cheap or free. But digital platforms involve:
- Software licenses
- Web development and maintenance
- Video editing for convocation events
- Secure certificate generation
- Verification tools for background checks
Moreover, when a platform wants to serve thousands across states and languages, the need for scale becomes even more demanding.
What digital platforms do is make recognition accessible, even to those in remote areas. But they still need support to do that well. That’s where a one-time processing fee helps keep the doors open for everyone.
Supporting Recognition Is Not Buying It
Critics often confuse a processing fee with “buying” a degree. This is unfair to both the recipient and the institution. A proper honorary process involves:
- A nomination or application
- Evidence of past contributions
- Review and approval by an internal panel
- Public documentation or citation
- Formal delivery of the title
Once all of this is done, the fee is charged only to cover the costs of delivery and ceremonial dignity, not to purchase the title. The work still had to be done. The impact still had to be real.
In this light, the fee is not a price — it is a contribution toward sustaining a fair, open, and ethical system.
Respecting the Value of Time and People
The individuals working behind the scenes to organise recognitions — administrators, designers, reviewers, coordinators — are often forgotten. Their work matters. Their time deserves respect too.
A system that expects people to do all of this for free is not honouring them either. When recipients support the process with a reasonable fee, they are also supporting:
- Dignity for the workers behind the honour
- Continued ability to run inclusive programs
- Timely and well-documented recognition events
Respect goes both ways — for the honouree and for the process that uplifts them.
Families Understand and Support It
Most Indian families understand the emotion behind recognition. When a mother sees her daughter receive a digital honorary doctorate, or when a grandfather watches a ceremony streamed on a mobile phone, the pride is real.
They know that arranging such an event, printing a professional certificate, or recording a proper citation is not a trivial task. That’s why most families support the idea of a small, one-time fee — because they know what it makes possible.
In many cases, families contribute that amount joyfully, as part of their celebration.
Conclusion
Recognition is a gift to the spirit. It uplifts those who serve without expectation. But just like any meaningful ceremony, it takes real effort to make it count. If the work to honour someone is serious, then a one-time support fee is not a burden — it is a part of the process.
In fact, without such support, thousands of deserving individuals may never be honoured at all. Not because they didn’t earn it, but because the system could not afford to function.
Digital platforms are making honorary recognitions more inclusive than ever before. A small, fair, and transparent fee ensures that this inclusivity can continue — with dignity, structure, and care.
Because when we ask whether recognition should be free, we must also ask: free for whom? And at what cost?
In the end, if the work is real, the process is respectful, and the honour is earned — supporting the system is not a compromise. It is a shared commitment to celebrating service.