New Delhi: The sporting fraternity today bowed in admiration as India's pride Sachin Tendulkar walked into sunset after a glorious 24-year-long international cricket career and welcomed the government's decision to confer him with the Bharat Ratna.
Former India hockey player Ashok Kumar, the son of legendary Dhyan Chand, who was also a contender for the country's highest civilian honour, congratulated Tendulkar.
"I am very happy that at last a sportsperson is being conferred with the Bharat Ratna. Sachin truly deserves the honour," Ashok told PTI.
"We are not at all disappointed that Dhyanchand did not get the Bharat Ratna. We tried our best. I am happy that Sachin is the first sportsperson to receive the honour.
"It is a welcome step from the government to include sportspersons for Bharat Ratna. This recognition will motivate all sportspersons to excel in their fields," added Ashok.
Former India football captain Bhaichung Bhutia also echoed the similar sentiments and said, "It's great that a sportsperson has been conferred with the Bharat Ratna. For a sportsperson to ply his trade for 24 long years at a consistently high standard, he deserves the honour."
Two-time Olympic medallist wrestler Sushil Kumar said the move will open the doors for other sportspersons to get the recognition.
"I am very happy for him and would like to congratulate Sachin on Bharat Ratna. He has done so much for cricket. The government has conferred the honour at the right time when he is bowing out on a high. I am happy with the decision and it will open the doors for other sportspersons also.
"Sachin inspired a whole generation of sportspersons. I wish him a happy retired life. We will miss him on the cricket field," Sushil said.
Former India hockey captain Dhanraj Pillay said Bharat Ratna was a fitting farewell gift to Tendulkar.
"A big congratulation to Sachin. Thank you very much government of India for recognising sportspersons for Bharat Ratna," Pillay said.
"I am really happy for Sachin because he is finishing his career on a high. The sports fraternity is delighted to see Sachin becoming the first sportsperson to get the Bharat Ratna. He is an icon, a living legend for India. Sachin will be remembered in the field of sports for years to come," said Pillay.
Discus thrower Krishna Poonia said Tendulkar thoroughly deserved Bharat Ratna.
"Tendulkar has done a yoeman service to cricket and Indian sports as a whole. He has been a role model for the country's sportspersons as well as ordinary citizens. I salute him for his achievements.
"He deserves the highest civilian award. I hope he would work with the dedication for the country as a Rajya Sabha member on issues outside sports just as he has done in cricket," Poonia, who recently joined Congress Party, said.
Sachin Tendulkar is an icon of emerging India: Tharoor
Sachin Tendulkar is an icon of emerging India: Tharoor
London: Batting genius Sachin Tendulkar has redefined the terms in which Indian cricket will now be seen, according to Congress MP Shashi Tharoor.
As the master blaster walked off the pitch in tears after playing his last Test at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium today, the minister of state for human resource development reflected on how Tendulkar's career highs are reflective of India as a whole in a column for the 'BBC'.
"Tendulkar was the icon of emerging India, a nation finally showing its potential on the world stage. He departs from an India that has fully emerged," he said.
"Tendulkar earned India the right to be thought of as world-beaters; today's young batsmen take that for granted, approaching the rest of the world with a buccaneering swagger that his earlier triumphs have made possible," he added.
Comparing Tendulkar's exit from the cricket pitch to that of Jawaharlal Nehru's departure as India's first Prime Minister, the senior politician struck an optimistic note.
"Nehru had been India's prime minister for 17 years before his ill-health and demise; Tendulkar was India's batting mainstay for 24 years before announcing his departure.
"But Tendulkar is finally leaving the cricket after his 200th Test match, and it is time to face the reality of life after Sachin. And this, somewhat to our surprise, seems to be not quite so bad after all," he said.
"Suddenly Tendulkar no longer looks irreplaceable. If anything, the Tendulkar of today pales by comparison with the rampant 20-somethings around him. What is more, if Tendulkar triumphed amid adversity, conquering the world from a position of weakness and carrying a modest side on his shoulders, his successors dominate from a position of strength," he said.
The Little Master, as Tendulkar is fondly referred to, went into retirement after 24 years with a final innings of 74 against the West Indies.Tendulkar has already retired from limited overs cricket and Indian cricket fans have been struggling to cope with his farewell.
"Thanks to his extraordinary achievements, he has raised the bar for all who have followed him. He came in when a heroic defeat was more common than a blazing triumph. He leaves having made winning the new normal. That is the transformation brought by the Tendulkar era.
"After him, Indian cricket will never be the same again," Tharoor concluded.
Minister for information and broadcasting Manish Tewari said in New Delhi that this match was quite special for India because Tendulkar is not just a great batsman but also a very good human being.
"The way he has demonstrated his skill on the field, (I hope) he will come forward in public sphere and do the same," he said.
