New Delhi, Dec 16 (ANI): With Sachin Tendulkar now becoming eligible to receive the Bharat Ratna, renowned lyricist and Rajya Sabha lawmaker Javed Akhtar on Friday encouraged the government's move to amend the eligibility criteria for the country's highest civilian award, and said that the master blaster is worthy of the honour.
"That's wonderful, Sachin Tendulkar's achievement is unprecedented and really humungous. Each and every Indian is proud of him and I think every Indian will be very happy if he gets the Bharat Ratna," said Akhtar.
Meanwhile, national award-winning director Shyam Benegal also welcomed the government's move.
"I think it's a good thing. This should have happened. Now that the award will be also given to sportspersons its wonderful. And now you have other, I mean sportsmen can also be given Bharat Ratna. Of course Sachin Tendulkar, we have always been great votaries for him to get the Bharat Ratna," said Benegal.
The Bharat Ratna can now be awarded in recognition of exceptional service and performance of the highest order 'in any field of human endeavour'.
It was earlier restricted to areas like art, literature, science and public service, making it difficult for government to consider names of those, who contributed immensely to other fields, including sports.
Tendulkar, 38, has compiled an extraordinary 99 international tons, 51 in Tests, 48 in one-day matches, and his quest for three figures has become a national obsession in India since his last ton in March. (ANI)
|
|
Comments:
