According indiantelevision where and how indian citizen mindset now.read you will have a second thought.
If you thought that India's 'Father of Nation' Mahatma Gandhi is the greatest leader of all times, think again! An opinion poll conducted by Zee News demolishes the myth and a few others too.
In a startling revelation about the aggressive mood in the country, the poll hosted on the Zee News website www.zeenews.com shows 'Ironman' Sardar Patel doesn't just give Gandhi a tough fight, he also lodges himself ahead of the Mahatma with 30 per cent vote share. Clearly India, 56 years after achieving independence,
is looking for a leader who can face situations head on and take some bold decisions, the same way as Patel did just after independence in 1947.
Amitabh Bachchan was voted as the 'Greatest Actor' and Sachin Tendulkar as the 'Greatest Sportsman' of the country. The 'Big B' wins by the biggest margin in the entire poll breaching the 60 per cent mark.
Perfectionist and Oscar-seeker Aamir Khan settles for second place just ahead of showman Raj Kapoor. The findings of the nation-wide 'Best of India Opinion Polls' were telecast on the Independence Day on Zee News. The poll conducted on the website of the news channel reflects the opinion of 1,48,438 Indians.
Some startling facts on the militancy show that Punjab has made a successful comeback to mainstream, the state that is known for its zest for life. Punjab wins with flying colours in the 'Best State' category.
Kerala, the first state to achieve 100 per cent literacy, occupies the No. 2 spot. Industrialised Maharashtra stands third on the podium, but is given stiff competition by Gujarat.
The polls also indicate that the new India is in for
making money and being rich may not be considered a stigma. The late Dhirubhai Ambani beats JRD Tata for the top businessman slot. Narayan Murthy is on No. 3, but again locked in a close contest with Azim Premji.
Ramesh Sippy's Sholay wins hands down as the 'Best Film', far ahead of much touted Mother India and Lagaan. But for all those for whom the yesteryears' heroine Madhubala rules their hearts, she is not number one. It is dhak dhak girl Madhuri Dixit who makes the nation's hearts (mostly male, one presumes) beat. Mesmerising Aishwarya and enduring beauty Rekha must settle for
lesser positions.
In the same sentiment, Indians continue to look to the 1971 War as the 'Most Glorious Moment' of independent India. A cricket crazy country gives 1983 World Cup Victory the silver medal. Pokharan nuclear test beats Kargil War for the third place.
In what could be good news for the Bharatiya Janata Party, leading the coalition government in India, ahead of elections, Atal B. Vajpayee is the favourite prime minister. Indira Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri follow him. Nobel laureate Mother Teresa remains the 'Best Personality' of the country. Next in line is the "people's president" APJ Abdul Kalam. India's melody queen Lata Mangeshkar is third best loved.
mr. sachin ramesh tendulkar...............read and try to recall his biography yourself.
Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar (Marathi: सचिन रमेश तेंडुलकर; born 24 April 1973) is an Indian cricketer widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of cricket. He is the leading run-scorer and century maker in Test and one-day international cricket. He is the only male player to score a double century in the history of ODI cricket. In 2002, just 12 years into his career, Wisden ranked him the second greatest Test batsman of all time, behind Donald Bradman, and the second greatest one-day-international (ODI) batsman of all time, behind Viv Richards.In September 2007, the Australian leg spinner Shane Warne rated Tendulkar as the greatest player he has played with or against.Tendulkar was the only player of the current generation to be included in Bradman's Eleven. He is sometimes referred to as Little Master or Master Blaster. Tendulkar is seen as an inspiration not only by cricketers but also by many other international sportspersons.
Tendulkar is the first player to score fifty Test centuries, and the first to score fifty centuries in all international cricket combined; he now has 97 centuries in international cricket. On 17 October 2008, when he surpassed Brian Lara's record for the most runs scored in Test cricket, he also became the first batsman to score 12,000, 13,000 and 14,000 runs in that form of the game,having also been the third batsman and first Indian to pass 11,000 runs in Test cricket. He was also the first player to score 10,000 runs in one-day internationals, and also the first player to cross every subsequent 1000-run mark that has been crossed in ODI cricket history and 200 runs in a one-day international match. In the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, Tendulkar surpassed Australia's Allan Border to become the player to cross the 50-run mark the most number of times in Test cricket history, and also the second ever player to score 11 Test centuries against Australia, tying with Sir Jack Hobbs of England more than 70 years previously. Tendulkar passed 30,000 runs in international cricket on 20 November 2009, and has been honoured with the Padma Vibhushan award, India's second highest civilian award, and the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award, India's highest sporting honor. Tendulkar became the first sportsperson and the first personality without an aviation background to be awarded the honorary rank of Group Captain by the Indian Air Force.[21] He won the 2010 Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for cricketer of the year at the ICC awards
Tendulkar is the only player to hit 51 Test centuries; he scored his 50th against South Africa on 19 December 2010.
Full name Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar Born 24 April 1973 (1973-04-24) (age 37)
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India Nickname Little Master, Tendlya, The God of Cricket, Master Blaster, The Master, The Little Champion, Height 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m) Batting style Right-handed Bowling style Right-arm leg spin, off spin, medium pace Role Batsman International information National side India Test debut (cap 187) 15 November 1989 v Pakistan Last Test 26 December 2010 v South Africa ODI debut (cap 74) 18 December 1989 v Pakistan Last ODI 24 February 2010 v South Africa ODI shirt no. 10
Domestic team information Years Team 1988–present Mumbai 2008–present Mumbai Indians (Indian Premier League) 1992 Yorkshire Career statistics Competition Test ODI FC LA Matches 177 442 278 529 Runs scored 14,692 17,594 23,406 21,150 Batting average 56.95 45.12 59.86 45.87 100s/50s 51/59 46/93 77/105 57/111 Top score 248* 200* 248* 200* Balls bowled 4,096 8,020 7,443 10,196 Wickets 45 154 69 201 Bowling average 53.07 44.26 61.81 42.01 5 wickets in innings 0 2 0 2 10 wickets in match 0 n/a 0 n/a Best bowling 3/10 5/32 3/10 5/32 Catches/stumpings 106/– 132/– 174/– 169/–
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar named UN Goodwill Ambassador
Adding to his lengthy list of accomplishments, cricket superstar Sachin Tendulkar has been named a Goodwill Ambassador by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
Mr. Tendulkar " the first player to score 10,000 runs in one-day internationals " will use his massive global popularity to raise awareness and harness support for environmental action in his home country of India and around the world.
"I have played and enjoyed my cricket across the planet. Now it"s also time to do something for the planet, which is our only home," he said.
"Being part of the effort to save the planet is an immense undertaking but it is a challenge I am ready to undertake. Working with UNEP and cricket fans across the globe, I am in good company. Together we can do it."
The agency"s Executive Director, Achim Steiner, voiced confidence that Mr. Tendulkar"s "character, personal integrity, intellect and profile will catalyze widespread environmental action."
With 2010 being the UN"s International Year of Biodiversity, the cricket legend will work with the agency to boost the global and grassroots response to the loss of animal and plant diversity worldwide.
FROM UN NEWS.
Tendulkar conferred ''Padma Shri'' (23 March 1999
Eminent personalities from differet walks of life were conferred with Indian's highest civilian honour by Mr. K.R.Narayanan, the President of India, today. The awardees included Sachin Tendulkar, India's cricket sensation. He received the "Padma Shri" award. Out of 62 recipients, 34 received Padma Shri and 14 each received Padma Bushan and Padma Vibushan respectively.
As Tendulkar walked up to receive the award from the President in Indian team blazer, the exalted crowd present there went rapturous. "I am very proud of you and carry on the good work," told the President while delivering the award to Tendulkar.
Tendulkar who is missing the ongoing triangular one-day series due to a back-injury informed the newsmen that he was getting better.
The program was attended by various dignitaries including Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, Home Minister L. K. Advani, Information and Broadcasting Minister Pramod Mahajan, former Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral and Congress president Sonia Gandhi.
Khel Ratna for Sachin Tendulkar
The Arjuna Awards were instituted in 1961 by the government of India to recognize outstanding achievement in National sports. The award carries a cash prize of Rs. 500,000, a bronze statuette of Arjuna and a scroll.
Over the years the scope of the award has been expanded and a large number of sportspersons who belonged to the pre-Arjun Award era were also included in the list. Further, the number of disciplines for which the award is given was increased to include indigenous games and the physically handicapped category.
The Government has recently revised the scheme for the Arjun Award. As per the revised guidelines, to be eligible for the Award, a sportsperson should not only have had good performance consistently for the previous three years at the international level with excellence for the year for which the Award is recommended, but should also have shown qualities of leadership, sportsmanship and a sense of discipline.
From the year 2001, the award is given only in disciplines falling under the following categories:
Olympic Games / Asian Games / Commonwealth Games / World Cup / World Championship Disciplines and Cricket
Indigenous Games
Sports for the Physically Challenged
Sachin Tendulkar has been chosen for the 1997-98 Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, while former India hockey captain Harmik Singh, athlete Reeth Abraham, cricketers Ajay Jadeja and Saurav Ganguly are among the 20 sportspersons who have been selected for the prestigious Arjuna Awards.
National junior coach Joginder Singh Saini will receive the coveted Dronacharya Award.
Tendulkar,who has played a pivotal role in several Indian victories in recent times with his scintillating batting is the first cricketer to receive the Khel Ratna Award which was instituted in 1991-'92.
The award carries a cash amount of Rs 100,000 besides a scroll of honour, and a plaque.
Saini, who has produced several leading athletes for the country, was senior national coach till a few years ago. He is now coaching the juniors.
The Dronacharya Award, instituted in 1985, carries a cash prize of Rs 75,000, a statuette of the legendary archery guru Dronacharya and a scroll.
Veteran half back Harmik Singh, who led the Indian team in the 1972 Munich Olympics, and forward Surinder Singh Sodhi, who was a member of the 1980 Moscow Olympic gold medal winning squad, are the two hockey players in line for the Arjuna.
Former national long jump champion Reeth Abraham is the lone athlete who figures in the list of awardees. Reeth at present runs a coaching centre, Sure, along with husband Sunil Abraham in Bangalore.
Former India football captain and goalkeeper Brahamanad Shankwalkar and captain of the 1990 Beijing Asian Games gold medal winning kabbadi team Randhir Singh, former Davis Cupper Asif Ismail, veteran weightlifters Paramjit Sharma and N Laxmi also figure in the list of awardees.
The Arjuna Awards, instituted in 1961, carry a cash prize of Rs 50,000, a bronze statuette of Arjuna and a scroll.
The President will give away the awards at a function to be held here on august 29.
Sachin Tendulkar UNICEF
World famous Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar has joined with UNICEF to encourage children to improve their health and hygiene.
The Master Blaster, Tendulkar, features in a PSA for the inaugural Global Handwashing Day.
The PSA is targeted at students and will be broadcast this month across India in fourteen different languages.
‘Having two young children, I constantly have to remind them to wash their hands before and after meals. I wanted to be a part of this campaign, because washing hands with soap can keep children safe and healthy and protect them against deadly disease,’ Tendulkar said.
UNICEF’s Global Handwashing Day, endorsed by Sachin Tendulkar, is on October 15.
Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF
Ralph Fiennes UNICEF
Martin Bell UNICEF
Gwyneth Paltrow UNICEF HIV Campaign
New York Marathon
Sachin Tendulkar's Charity work
Sachin Tendulkar who is already looking after welfare of 200 children from the same NGO called Apnalaya, said he always looked up to his father in trying to understand his social responsibilities.
I was always inspired from my father on social responsibilities,Sachin said on Wednesday said he will sponsor the education of 200 children, who are part of a Non-Governmental Organization.
There is no better source of inspiration for me than my father. Growing up as a child, I saw my father, a professor, pay for the education of our Newspaper person, who could not afford it. This is in a family where every penny mattered.
Whoever turned up at our house, be it the watchman or the postman, would not be allowed to leave without having a cup of tea, which my father served,all these incidents taught me all about caring for others.I have learnt from my father and I'm proud of it.
I'm trying to double my givings and contributing in whatever way I can. I will pay for the education of 200 children as a part of the 'Joy of Giving Week' campaign," he said in support of the programme conceptualised by another NGO, GiveIndia, to promote charity.
Posted by INDIAN at Saturday, January 02, 2010 -Charity sachin
Sachin Tendulkar takes up educational charity
Following the footsteps of his late father who was committed to certain social responsibilities, India's batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar has decided to sponsor the education of 200 children, who are part of Anapalya, a non-governmental organisation in Mumbai.
He recently announced this at an event, which also saw the presence of popular actor Nadita Das, in Mumbai where he even remembered his childhood days.
Sachin Tendulkar who is already looking after welfare of 200 children from the same NGO called Apnalaya, said he always looked up to his father in trying to understand his social responsibilities.
I was always inspired from my father on social responsibilities,Sachin said on Wednesday said he will sponsor the education of 200 children, who are part of a Non-Governmental Organization.
There is no better source of inspiration for me than my father. Growing up as a child, I saw my father, a professor, pay for the education of our Newspaper person, who could not afford it. This is in a family where every penny mattered.
Whoever turned up at our house, be it the watchman or the postman, would not be allowed to leave without having a cup of tea, which my father served,all these incidents taught me all about caring for others.I have learnt from my father and I'm proud of it.
I'm trying to double my givings and contributing in whatever way I can. I will pay for the education of 200 children as a part of the 'Joy of Giving Week' campaign," he said in support of the programme conceptualised by another NGO, GiveIndia, to promote charity.
Star cricketer Sachin Tendulkar promotes handwashing in India
Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and his teammates joined an estimated 100 million schoolchildren around the country yesterday in lathering up for better health and hygiene as part of the first Global Handwashing Day.
“Sachin, you and your teammates are an inspiration to young Indians and cricket fans around the world,” said UNICEF Representative in India Karin Hulshof, who travelled to Mohali Cricket grounds in Chandigarh for the event.
“And even more important is your commitment to giving your time and energy to keep India’s children safe and healthy,” she added. “You and the team are great examples of what we – the Government of India, UNICEF, Indian cricket and the young people throughout this great nation – can achieve together when we wash our hands with soap to stay healthy.”
Mr. Tendulkar, who is widely acknowledged as one of cricket’s greatest batsmen in the history of the sport, is well on his way to breaking the world record for runs scored in test cricket. He has appeared in a public service announcement developed by UNICEF and the Government of India being broadcast in 14 languages across the country.
Simple, cost-effective solution
“I wanted to be a part of this campaign, because washing hands with soap can keep children safe and healthy and protect them against deadly disease,” the cricket star said. “Having two young children, I constantly have to remind them to wash their hands before and after meals.”
The campaign is led by the Department of Drinking Water Supply (DDWS) of the Ministry of Rural Development, and the Department of School Education and Literacy of the Ministry of Human Resource Development.
More than 1,600 children die every day in India from diarrhoea. But the simple, cost-effective solution of washing hands with soap after defecation and before meals could greatly reduce that number. Proper handwashing with soap can reduce diarrhoeal cases by almost half and acute respiratory illnesses by 30 per cent.
Countering myths about handwashing
According to the country’s Public Health Association, only 53 per cent of people in India wash hands after defecation, 38 per cent wash hands before eating and only 30 per cent wash hands before preparing food. Many people don’t wash their hands, because they believe that hands that look clean cannot make them sick.
Many people also believe that water alone is sufficient to remove visible dirt from hands. As part of Global Handwashing Day, a five-step handwashing technique, developed in Tamil Nadu state, is being taught to school children around the country.
“The crux of this campaign is that we are reaching out to students in hundreds of thousands of schools in rural India, from children in the flood-affected areas of Bihar to schools in far removed tribal regions of Jharkhand to satellite schools in Rajasthan,” said UNICEF India Chief of Water and Sanitation Lizette Burgers.
Sachin Tendulkar Honoured by the United Nations Environment Programme
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has been named a United Nations Environment Programme Goodwill Ambassador.
The appointment, made by UNEP Executive Director Mr. Achim Steiner in Mumbai, allows one of the world's greatest cricketers the opportunity to use his legendary popularity to raise public awareness and harness support for environmental action in India and the world.
Mr. Tendulkar has been a strong supporter of the work of the UN, having lent his voice to a UNICEF campaign in India, raising awareness about the importance of personal hygiene.
Mr. Steiner described Sachin Tendulkar as a role model to both the young and the old: "I am sure that his character, personal integrity, intellect and profile will catalyze widespread environmental action, focusing on 2010 as the UN's International Year of Biodiversity. Sachin will work with UNEP to raise awareness and the level of global and grassroots response to the loss of the planet's biological diversity including animals and plants," he said.
Welcoming his new role as UNEP Goodwill Ambassador, Tendulkar said: "I have played and enjoyed my cricket across the planet. Now it's also time to do something for the planet, which is our only home. I view this designation as a challenge and an honour. Being part of the effort to save the planet is an immense undertaking but it is a challenge I am ready to undertake. Working with UNEP and cricket fans across the globe, I am in good company. Together we can do it."
FROM-UNCP
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar named UN Goodwill Ambassador
Adding to his lengthy list of accomplishments, cricket superstar Sachin Tendulkar has been named a Goodwill Ambassador by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
Mr. Tendulkar – the first player to score 10,000 runs in one-day internationals – will use his massive global popularity to raise awareness and harness support for environmental action in his home country of India and around the world.
“I have played and enjoyed my cricket across the planet. Now it’s also time to do something for the planet, which is our only home,” he said.
“Being part of the effort to save the planet is an immense undertaking but it is a challenge I am ready to undertake. Working with UNEP and cricket fans across the globe, I am in good company. Together we can do it.”
The agency’s Executive Director, Achim Steiner, voiced confidence that Mr. Tendulkar’s “character, personal integrity, intellect and profile will catalyze widespread environmental action.”
With 2010 being the UN’s International Year of Biodiversity, the cricket legend will work with the agency to boost the global and grassroots response to the loss of animal and plant diversity worldwide.
Mr. Tendulkar is no stranger to the work of the UN, having lent his voice to a UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) campaign in India on the importance of personal hygiene.
As one of his first duties as Goodwill Ambassador, he will lead a Green Pledge to save the planet when the Indian Premier League (IPL) kicks off its third season tomorrow night in Mumbai.
The vow – to be made in front of the millions of fans expected to be watching live on television, YouTube or at DY Patil Stadium in the Indian city – reads “the Earth is our home and together we must conserve our precious wildlife, forests and oceans. I am proud to pledge that I will play my part in caring for our natural heritage.”
Along with Mr. Tendulkar, team captains from the Deccan Chargers to the Kolkata Knight Riders will sign a giant globe made out of recycled materials.
Every day of the 45-day tournament will feature ‘green’ tips, on how to limit greenhouse gas emissions and care for the environment, which will be shown on giant screens in stadiums and read out by commentators.
The new UNEP-IPL partnership will also look into ways to minimize the League’s carbon footprint and become more environmentally friendly, including waste management, energy efficiency, carpooling and recycling.
Mr. Steiner, the UNEP chief, said that the agency recognizes that as a rapidly developing economy, India’s consumption and production patterns could define the planet’s future.
“We need to make the right choices in terms of how best to manage energy and natural resources,” he said. “To borrow a cricketing metaphor, these choices will define whether the world is running or soon will be run out.”
Royal Bank of Scotland Group
The Royal Bank of Scotland Group RBS is a British state owned banking and insurance holding company in which HM Treasury holds an 84% controlling share (economic interest; actual voting rights will not rise above 75% in order to retain stock listing) This stake is held and managed through UK Financial Investments Limited. The group is based in Edinburgh, Scotland, and is the world's largest company by assets.
The group controls the Royal Bank of Scotland plc, founded in 1727 by a Royal Charter of King George I, the National Westminster Bank, which can trace its lineage back to 1650, and Ulster Bank in Ireland.
RBS Group is the largest banking group in Scotland, and at its earlier peak was the second largest in the UK and Europe (fifth in stock market value), and the fifth largest in the world by market capitalisation. According to Forbes Global 2000, it was the tenth largest company in the world. Its shares have a primary listing on the London Stock Exchange. The registered head office of the group and the UK clearing bank are located at St Andrew Square, Edinburgh. In 2005, Queen Elizabeth II opened the bank's new head office building in Gogarburn, Edinburgh.
The RBS Group operates a wide variety of banking brands offering personal and business banking, private banking, insurance and corporate finance throughout its operations located in Europe, North America and Asia. In the UK and Republic of Ireland, the main subsidiary companies are: The Royal Bank of Scotland; National Westminster Bank; Ulster Bank; Drummonds; and Coutts & Co. In the United States, it owns Citizens Financial Group, the 8th largest bank in the country. From 2004 to 2009 it was the second largest shareholder in the Bank of China, itself the world's fifth largest bank by market capitalisation in February 2008. Insurance companies include Churchill Insurance, Direct Line, Privilege, and NIG.
The group issues banknotes in Scotland and Northern Ireland and, as of 2008, Royal Bank of Scotland is the only bank in the UK still to print a £1 note.
Dedicated to his fan
Tendulkar's entry into world cricket was very much hyped up by former Indian stars and those who had seen him play. By scoring his first half-century in his second match and his first century aged 17, Tendulkar's consistent performances earned him a fan following across the globe, including amongst Australian crowds, where Tendulkar has consistently scored centuries.One of the most popular sayings by his fans is "Cricket is my religion and Sachin is my God". Cricinfo mentions in his profile that "... Tendulkar remains, by a distance, the most worshipped cricketer in the world." During the Australian tour of India in 1998 Matthew Hayden said "I have seen God. He bats at no. 4 in India in Tests."
At home in Mumbai, Tendulkar's fan following is so great that he is unable to lead a normal life. Ian Chappell has said that he would be unable to cope with the lifestyle Tendulkar was forced to lead, having to "wear a wig and go out and watch a movie only at night". In an interview with Tim Sheridan, Tendulkar admitted that he sometimes went for quiet drives in the streets of Mumbai late at night when he would be able to enjoy some peace and silence.
Sudhir Kumar Chaudhary (born 1983 in Muzaffarpur, Bihar) (named in some news reports as Sudhir Kumar Gautam) is a cricket fan of the Indian cricket team. He is famous for showing up at every home match the Indian team plays with his entire body painted in the national colours. Chaudhary is a fan of Sachin Tendulkar and has said Tendulkar provides him with tickets for the matches.He is usually seen with his body art, waving the national flag in the live telecast of the matches. By April 2010 he had attended nearly 150 matches, often travelling by bicycle.
The Wisden Cricketers of the Year
The Wisden Cricketers of the Year are cricketers selected for the honour by the annual publication Wisden Cricketers' Almanack, based primarily on their "influence on the previous English season." The award began in 1889 with the naming of "Six Great Bowlers of the Year", and continued with the naming of "Nine Great Batsmen of the Year" in 1890 and "Five Great Wicket-Keepers" in 1891.
Since 1897, with a few notable exceptions, the annual award has recognised five players of the year. No players were named in 1916 or 1917, as the First World War prevented any first-class cricket being played in England, while in 1918 and 1919 the recipients were five schoolboy cricketers. From 1941 to 1946, the Second World War caused the same issue and no players were named. Three players have been sole recipients: W. G. Grace (1896), Plum Warner (1921) and Jack Hobbs (1926). The latter two selections are the only exceptions to the rule that a player may receive the award only once. Hobbs was first recognised in 1909, but was selected a second time in 1926 to honour his breaking W. G. Grace's record of 126 first-class hundreds; Warner was first honoured in 1904, but received a second award in 1921 for his last season in first-class cricket, when he led Middlesex to a County Championship win.[4] John Wisden, cricketer and eponymous founder of the almanack, was featured in a special commemorative section in the Jubilee edition of the publication in 1913, 29 years posthumously.
From 2000 to 2003 the award was made based on players' impact on cricket worldwide rather than just the preceding season in England, but the decision was reversed in 2004 with the introduction of a separate Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World award.
The earliest surviving recipient of the award is Arthur Morris (1949), which he became in April 2010 with the death of Alec Bedser (1947). The longest that a recipient has lived after receiving the award is 77 years by Harry Calder (1918), who died in 1995. Calder, however, uniquely for a recipient, played no first-class cricket. Among first-class players, the longest lived after receipt of the award is 74 years by Wilfred Rhodes (1899). Claire Taylor (2009) is the first woman to have been chosen.
Sachin Tendulkar--TIME MAGAGINE
Age: 36
Occupation: Cricketer
Previous TIME 100 Appearances: 0
The 2010 TIME 100
In our annual TIME 100 issue we name the people who most affect our world
The greatest batsman of his — or arguably any — generation, Tendulkar continues to smash records at an age most cricketers hang up their gloves. In February, he became the first man to score 200 runs in a one-day international, a feat comparable to Roger Bannister's 4-minute mile. Despite being held in reverence by a billion Indians (and in awe by hundreds of millions of cricket fans around the world), Tendulkar has a reputation, rare among sports gods, for humility and self-deprecation.
Group Captain Sachin Tendulkar!
Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar will be conferred with the honorary rank of Group Captain this afternoon by the Indian Air Force. The image here is the cover of the invitation card for the event. I hear plans are also afoot to fly the Little Master in a Sukhoi, maybe later this year from the Lohegaon air base.
After Territorial Army granting honorary commission to celebrities like Mohan Lal and Kapil Dev, now it is the turn of the Indian Air Force (IAF) to grant the honorary rank of a Group Captain to ace cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, to acknowledge his contribution towards the nation.
The honorary commission has been conferred by the President of India and Supreme Commander of the armed forces, Pratibha Patil.
In recognition of Sachin’s glorious achievements as a cricketer and sports icon par excellence, IAF had mooted a proposal to confer the honorary rank of Group Captain. Besides the recognition, his association with the IAF will motivate the younger generation to join the IAF to serve the country.
Accepting the honour, Sachin, who is presently out of the country, expressed his pleasure over the honour being bestowed. “It is indeed a great honour that I have been considered for the honorary rank of Group Captain in the Indian Air Force. As an Indian, I am very proud to be associated with this Dynamic Force and I shall do my very best to be a brand ambassador for the IAF.”
Expressing his eagerness to interact with the air warriors, he said, “I am looking forward to familiarizing myself with the Indian Air Force. I once again salute the Indian Air Force for this great honour bestowed on me”.
Till date 21 persons have been granted the honorary ranks from Flight Lieutenant to Air Marshal. The last person to be conferred the honorary rank of Air Commodore was Vijaypat Singhania on October 8, 1990.
Group Captain is the first selection rank in the IAF, equivalent to a Colonel in the Army, for which officers are considered after 21-22 years of service.
My daughter Sarah inspired me to do charity: Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin and Anjali Tendulkar were preparing to celebrate their daughter Sarah’s birthday last October when she bowled a googly to her dad. Today, he admits that it is one of his greatest lessons off-the-pitch.
“We were preparing to celebrate her (Sarah’s) birthday when she said that she doesn’t want a party at home. We were a little surprised. She wanted to have a party at (the slums of) Govandi and wanted to share the goodies with the (slum) children there. We felt really proud when my daughter said this,” says Sachin even as Anjali nods her head in approval. As usual Anjali had decided that it was only Sachin who will do the talking.
“My daughter made me think. I thought that everybody donates money but it is a greater gift to donate your time. That is why I decided to auction a half-day’s coaching camp with the kids (on eBay on behalf of an NGO). It was my daughter Sarah who inspired me to do charity,” candidly admits Sachin explaining how he decided to donate his time than the ‘much easier option of donating just money’.
When asked about son Arjun, both Sachin and Anjali’s faces light up. After a quick glance towards his wife, the Master Blaster admits that though he often talks about cricket with his son, his recent knock of 200 ODI runs has remained out of their discussions.
“We (Sachin and Arjun) keep talking about cricket all the time. But I never spoke about my knock (of 200 runs against South Africa) with him. But I definitely spoke about it with Anjali. My mom also watched the entire match. In fact, I was very happy about the way my near and dear ones reacted when I came back home. They were elated. They (his family) have made huge sacrifices for me and I always thank them for that. That is why it (the success) was worth sharing with them,” Sachin adds.
When we asked his comment on the Sachin Tendulkar museum, he says, “It is news to me (that a special museum is being set up with his belongings and his used cricket gears). I haven’t received any official intimation about it. But it sounds good to me.”
Recently after the Indian hockey team won their first match of the ongoing World Cup against Pakistan, a particular state government announced rewards only for the goal scorers. Sachin feels that though a couple of players only bring glory to the country on a given day, it is the team effort that wins the day.
“Everyone should be credited if the team wins. It is true that on a given day, two or three players will shine than the rest and I am not taking away any credit from them. But without the team playing as a unit, they can’t shine. So, I feel when a team wins the credit it should go to the entire team including the reserve players and the support staff. They have worked in every possible way to ensure that the team wins,” he ends.
