Bharat Ratna awarded to Tendulkar, the first for a sportsperson

 

NEW DELHI: The recently retired Sachin Tendulkar is set to become the first sportsperson to be awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour.

Tendulkar will be conferred with the honour along with acclaimed scientist Professor CNR Rao, on the upcoming Republic Day next year.

An official PMO release called Tendulkar "an outstanding cricketer - a living legend who has inspired millions across the globe".

"During the last 24 years, since the young age of 16 years, Shri Tendulkar has played cricket across the world and won laurels for our country.  He has been a true ambassador of India in the world of sports.

His achievements in cricket are unparalleled, the records set by him unmatched, and the spirit of sportsmanship displayed by him exemplary.  That he has been honoured with several awards is testimony to his extraordinary brilliance as a sportsman," said the release.

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Tendulkar, who called time from all forms of cricket on Saturday after his 200th Test match against the West Indies at his home ground, the Wankhede Stadium, was expected to be awarded the honour after it emerged that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had recommended his name to President Pranab Mukherjee a few days ago.

Other influential names who allegedly pitched for the Little Master include Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rajeev Shukla, Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan.
The rules for awarding the Bharat Ratna were modified a few years ago to include sportspersons and not just artistes and personnel from the fields of art, literature, science and public services.

The Board Cricket for Cricket in India (BCCI) welcomed the announcement.

"Tendulkar is an inspirational figure, and a role model for all sportspersons. He richly deserves the Bharat Ratna. I extend my heartiest congratulations to him," said BCCI president N. Srinivasan.

"He is the most deserving person. I congratulate the government for this decision. The timing is also right. His records cannot be broken for the next 100 years," added BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla.

Mars mission: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy congratulates ISRO for successful launch

HYDERABAD: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy congratulated the ISRO for the successful launch of 'Mangalyan', Mars Orbiter Spacecraft.

Reddy congratulated the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scientists, led by chairman K Radhakrishnan, on the successful launch of the country's first mission to Mars this afternoon from the Sriharikota spaceport, beginning a 300-day journey to study the Martian atmosphere.

In a statement, the Chief Minister said, "The blast off was perfect. It's a great achievement. ISRO scientists deserve all kudos for the precision-like successful launch."

"My hearty congratulations to the entire ISRO team. It's a historic day for the country," he added.

Kiran said the Mars Mission has so far been progressing well and expressed hope that it would reach its goal.

He expressed happiness that India joined the elite club of few countries in the world in exploring Mars.

The Chief Minister noted that it was a big achievement for the Indian space scientists that the project was completed in 15 months at a cost of just Rs 450 crore.

Meanwhile, TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu also congratulated the ISRO team.

"ISRO scientists have flown India's tricolour high in the space by successfully launchingMangalyan. It gives happiness that the 300-day mission has been launched on a successful note, which is another milestone in India's space programme," Chandrababu said in a message.