New Delhi: In a significant move, the government of India made changes in the eligibility criteria for a person getting the Bharat Ratna. According to media reports, this move will pave way for Sachin Tendulkar to get the country's highest civilian honour.
The Prime Minister's Office has accepted the Ministry of Home Affairs' recommendation of broad basing the Bharat Ratna category. The change in rules came at the behest of the Sports Ministry.
It's not just Sachin Tendulkar but even our politicians who are hoping to hit a sixer. The demand for a Bharat Ratna for Sachin is becoming louder and now government sources say that it could be a matter of time before he gets the nation's highest award.
Maken had recently written to the Home Ministry pushing for Bharat Ratna for cricketer Sachin Tendulkar after calls came from several quarters to felicitate the master blaster.
Sachin's name for Bharat Ratna started doing the rounds just before the world cup 2011 but it was felt that it would be too early to give it to him. And also with only arts, literature and public service as criteria, a sportsman would not find place. Ajay Maken had then pushed for a sports category.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of cricket, Tendulkar is the leading run-scorer and century maker in Test and one-day international cricket. He is the first player to score a double century in the history of ODI cricket.
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