Communications and Information Technology (IT) Minister Kapil Sibal on Saturday congratulated cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar and eminent scientist Professor C.N.R. Rao for being awarded the Bharat Ratna, and also applauded the UPA Government for deciding to confer this prestigious award on the two gentlemen.
"Truly Sachin is the gem of India. Government decided to give him the Bharat Ratna as well as to Dr. C N R Rao. I want to congratulate my Government for taking this decision," he said.
Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, echoing similar sentiments, said that Sachin Tendulkar has honoured the game of cricket.
Former Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said: "Every person of the country is happy today. Sachin took a farewell from cricket. This is prestigious that he have made around 35000 runs in his career."
Earlier in the day, the government announced that cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and eminent scientist Professor C.N.R. Rao will be awarded the Bharat Ratna for their contributions to their respective fields.
The announcement was made through a press note issued by the Rashtrapati Bhavan here.
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Tendulkar, who retired today after playing his last and 200th Test, becomes the first sportsperson to get the country's highest civilian award.
The announcement of the award has been described by one and all as a timely and befitting tribute to the legendary player, who has contributed immensely to the game of cricket. They said that it was appropriate that after he bid farewell to the game of cricket, the government had taken the initiative to give him the award.
Meanwhile, Prof. C.N.R. Rao is an eminent scientist and a well-recognized international authority on solid state and materials chemistry.
He has published over 1,400 research papers and 45 books.
Prof. Rao's contributions have been recognized by most major scientific academies around the world through conferment of memberships and fellowships.
He has been honoured with several national and international awards.