Although Sachin Tendulkar remains the only proud recipient of the Bharat Ratna award in the sports category, Anushka Singh says the country boasts of several sportspersons who have left their mark through glittering performances and have won exemplary awards. Today, Sports is not mere an entertainment but a cultural phenomenon that unites the nation, inferring it fosters a competitive spirit and inspires future generations.
The Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian award of the Republic of India, conferred for exceptional service or performance of the highest order in any field of human endeavour. The award was instituted in 1954 and has been given to 48 individuals so far, including 14 posthumously.
Among them, only one person has received the Bharat Ratna for his or her contribution to sports and that is Sachin Tendulkar – the legendary cricketer who is widely regarded, globally, as one of the greatest batsmen of all time. He was conferred the Bharat Ratna in 2014.
Sachin Tendulkar was born on 24 November 24, 1973 in a middle-class Maharashtrian family of Mumbai, Maharashtra – descendant of the famous poet and playwright Vijay Tendulkar. His father, Ramesh Tendulkar, was a Marathi-language novelist and poet who wrote under the pen name Suresh Joshi. His mother, Rajni Tendulkar, worked in the insurance industry and was very supportive of her son’s cricketing career.
A prodigy
Tendulkar took up cricket at the age of eleven and soon became a prodigy. He showed exceptional talent and passion for the game and impressed everyone with his batting skills. He made his debut for the Indian national team at the age of 16 and went on to play 200 Tests and 463 One Day Internationals (ODIs), scoring a phenomenal number of runs and breaking multiple records across all formats.
He holds several records such as most runs in cricket career in Test matches (15,921), most Test matches played (200), most player-of-the-match awards (76), etc. He is also the recipient of many awards and honours for his outstanding performance and contribution to Indian cricket.
Among the many prestigious Indian awards conferred upon Sachin Tendulkar, a few are as follows:
– The Khel Ratna Award (1998), which is India’s highest sporting honour given by the President of India
– The Arjuna Award (1994), which is given by the Government of India in recognition of outstanding achievement in sports
– The Padma Shri (1999), which is India’s fourth-highest civilian award given by the President of India
– The Maharashtra Bhushan Award (2001), which is Maharashtra state’s highest civilian award
– The Padma Vibhushan (2008), which is India’s second-highest civilian award given by the President of India
An all rounder
Sachin Tendulkar’s achievements are not limited to cricket alone. He has also excelled in other sports such as tennis, badminton and table tennis. Sachin Tendulkar’s legacy transcends sports and inspires millions of people across India and beyond. He is widely admired for his humility, generosity, passion and perseverance. He is also known for his philanthropic work through his charitable trust. He has supported various causes such as education, health care, rural development and environmental protection.
Sachin Tendulkar’s Bharat Ratna award was a fitting recognition for his remarkable career that spanned over two decades and brought immense pride to India. The Bharat Ratna award is not only an honour for him but also an inspiration for all aspiring cricketers who dream of following his footsteps.
Tennis tales
Tennis was one of Tendulkar’s favourite sports as a child. He was inspired by American tennis player John McEnroe and was a huge fan of his style. Tendulkar used to wear tennis wristbands and headbands, carry a tennis racquet with him, and watch tennis matches on TV, in the hope of looking like his icon.
Sachin also played tennis with his friends and family members at various courts in Mumbai. He even had a chance to play with some professional players. He religiously followed tennis stars Vijay Amritraj and Ramesh Krishnan when he was much younger and later keenly followed and observed the games of Indian tennis legends Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes.
Sachin maintains that as a child he was confused which sport to choose – cricket or tennis. Today, he likes Indian players who have brought laurels to the nation like Sania Mirza and feels proud of them. He says he is in love with other racquet games such as squash, table tennis and badminton.
Other sports awards
Sports in India have transcended beyond mere entertainment, evolving into a cultural phenomenon that unites the nation. Recognising and celebrating excellence in sports is a pivotal aspect of fostering a competitive spirit and inspiring future generations.
The Arjuna Award, named after the legendary archer Arjuna from the Indian epic Mahabharata, is a testament to sporting prowess. Awarded by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, it recognises outstanding achievements in sports. Athletes across various disciplines, from cricket to wrestling, vie for this prestigious honour, showcasing the diverse talent that contributes to India’s sporting legacy.
It is the second-highest sporting honour of India, after the highest awards which is the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. From year 2001 onward, this award is given only in the following disciplines – Olympic Games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, World Cup, World Championship Disciplines and Cricket, Indigenous Games and Sports for the Physically Challenged.
The Khel Ratna Award, also known as the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award is the highest sporting honour of India that is awarded annually by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports of the Government of India. Here, the recipients are selected by a committee constituted by the Sports Ministry. The recipients are chosen who exhibit exceptional performance in international sports events such as the Olympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and other equivalent tournaments, over a period of four years, at an international level.
In the realm of sports, coaching is the backbone of success. The Dronacharya Award – for Outstanding Coaches in Sports and Games, akin to the masterful teacher Dronacharya from ancient Indian mythology, acknowledges exceptional coaching contributions. Coaches who have sculpted champions and elevated the standards of Indian sports receive this esteemed accolade, emphasising the critical role mentors play in shaping athletic destinies.
Honouring cricket legends
The Polly Umrigar Award for international cricketer of the year, named after one of India’s cricketing legends, is one of the BCCI Awards, awarded to Indian cricketers for outstanding performance in international cricket. In 2007, the award was given for the first time and the recipient was Sachin Tendulkar.
This award honours the best cricketer in international cricket. Batsmen and bowlers who consistently deliver outstanding performances across formats are acknowledged with this coveted award, symbolising their consistent excellence in the dynamic world of cricket. Other recipients include Virat Kohli, Virendra Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Gautam Gambhir, etc.
The Olympic Games stand as the pinnacle of sporting events globally, and Indian athletes strive to leave an indelible mark on this grand stage. The Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar is a sports honour given by the government of India. It is an annual award given by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to recognise the involvement and contribution of organisations and entities including sports control boards, voluntary groups, etc. in the field of sports over a period of three years prior to giving the award.
As the nation continues to produce sporting heroes, these awards stand as beacons, guiding the way for aspiring athletes to reach new heights.