Addressing convocation ceremony of a private university in Aligarh, on Saturday, in which Saina alongwith five other Olympic medal winners were felicitated by the university with honorary doctorate degrees, Mulayam spoke at length on status of higher education in UP and challenges before SP government in the state. In between, he devoted few minutes on praising the London Olympic medalists, particularly Saina.

In a lighter vein, he asked the ace badminton player to contest the next Lok sabha elections from Aligarh.

Amid cheers and applause from the audience, Mulayam said that the SP would be happy to give her ticket from Aligarh Lok Sabha seat. Mulayam said that Saina has done the country proud and he wants her to prosper in life. The election ticket would be his blessing to her, he added. Saina thanked Mulayam for his appreciation but did not respond to the offer.

She, however, said that the university has giver her something which has more worth than the Olympic medal. She said that her father always wanted her to get a doctorate degree but she could not do so because of her career in sports but today her father's dream has been fulfilled. The shuttler recently won her fourth title of the year by clinching the Denmark Open Super Series Premier Trophy.

Along with Saina, boxer Mary Kom, shooters Vijay Kumar and Gagan Narang and wrestlers Yogeshwar Dutt and Sushil Kumar were also conferred the honorary doctorate at the ceremony.

Referring to spurt in communal clashes in UP, Mulayam, in his speech, also cautioned people against external and internal designs which cause animosity between different sections and said it was imperative for all the sections to remain united for broader national interest. Without naming any person or organization, Mulayam said that certain sections which have not succeeded in the political arena are indulging in activities which would have a divisive fall out in society.

He said that the SP government was aware of the activities of the forces which were trying to disturb the peaceful atmosphere in the state.

On challenges in the field of modern education, Mulayam said that the private sector had now emerged as a major player in the sphere of higher education. He said the private sector will also have to cater to the needs of the rural areas which is still way behind the rest of the country in the field of health and education.

Apart from sports personalities, those awarded Honoris Causa degrees included Rajendra Pachori, director general, Energy and Resources' Institute; VK Saraswat, scientific advisor in the ministry of defence; Salma Ansari, chairperson of Al-Noor Social and Charitable Society and Tessy Thomas, senior defence scientist.