Bharat Ratna for Sachin? Yes or No?

For 22 years Sachin Tendulkar has stood up for the nation sealing glory and honour time and again. He is undoubtedly India's greatest jewel who has achieved every possible feat in the game.

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However, his hunger and determination to excel still sees him shoot for the country's cause. Surely, there is no denying the man who inspires vast amounts of people, deserves the nation's biggest honour.

A champion like none other along with a patriot of the highest order, Sachin has time and again raised his willow to keep the tricolour flying high.

For over 2 decades now Sachin has single-handedly risen towards the hopes of every Indian, whether it is snatching victory from the jaws of defeat or helping the nation overcome moments of grief together with his special powers.

It is not without reason why Sachin may be the proud holder of India's top national awards, such as the Arjuna Award, Khel Ratna and Padma Shree. Now the highest civilian honour beckons this shining jewel.

Advocating Bharat Ratna for Master Blaster, Union Sport Minister Ajay Maken said, "He is young, but old as well and it has still been getting runs. He deserves it."

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) vice-president Rajeev Shukla said, "Sachin is easily the most deserving person. It (Bharat Ratna) is perfect for outstanding person and his records are hard to interrupt so I would say Bharat Ratna ought to be bestowed on him."

The Bharat Ratna would be a befitting tribute to the country's greatest asset. For, Sachin is one of the most satisfactory batsman cricket has seen and certainly the most worshipped cricketer. He's a cricketer who holds every record worth owning in the game.

All those fans who have been demanding that Sachin Tendulkar be awarded the Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian award, is now able to happy because the government makes amendments towards the eligibility criteria. (Also Read: Who all want Bharat Ratna for Sachin)

The Bharat Ratna can now be awarded in recognition of exceptional service/performance of the highest order "in any field of human endeavour". Which means that sportspersons like Tendulkar are actually entitled to the honour. Tendulkar was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian award, in 2008.

YOUR SAY: Now entitled to Bharat Ratna, should Sachin Tendulkar be conferred with the greatest civilian award?

Earlier, the criteria for recipients, formulated in 1955, limited the award to "exceptional services in arts, literature and science, as well as in recognition of public services from the highest order." Using the changes, it now covers almost all the fields.

The changes were caused after Sports Minister Ajay Maken wrote towards the Home Ministry, which supervises the process of finalising these civilian awards, in July. The federal government issued a notification on the amended criteria last month.

"This has paved the way for sportspersons to get Bharat Ratna," Mr Maken said today.

Asked who he thought were the frontrunners for the honour, Mr Maken said, "In my opinion, so far as individual names are worried, two biggest names are wizard of hockey Dhyan Chand and run machine Sachin Tendulkar, they are the top contenders."

An elated Mr Maken had earlier tweeted: "Bharat Ratna for any sportsperson wld be a big big day for Indian Sports!"

Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal asserted anybody who had "surpassed human endeavour or been a milestone" ought to be given this honour.

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There has been 41 recipients of the Bharat Ratna, including two foreigners: Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan, the Afghan who fought for India's Independence in 1947, and Nelson Mandela of South Africa. The final recipient was Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, in 2008.

Tendulkar, 38, supports the world record for many runs (15183 in Tests and 18,111 in one-dayers) and many centuries (51 in Tests and 48 in one-dayers).

He's currently around australia and needs yet another century being the very first batsman ever gain 100 international centuries.

Watch: Bharat Ratna for sportspeople too