Sachin Tendulkar recently scored a double century in a ODI. In the twilight of his career, the little big man of Indian cricket's sustained success has seen him being compared with the Don. He is one of the greatest sportsman produced by India and the most popular ever. Riding on his popularity wave people from many walks of life have demanded that SRT be honoured with the Bharat Ratna.
SRT's stature in Indian sports is unquestionable, but does it mean a Bharat Ratna so soon. I am sure down the years he will pick one. But such has been the standard of Indian sport including cricket. We have wallowed in mediocrity over the years and a legend like Sachin Tendulkar seems to tower above the rest.
There is no questioning the man's greatness but awarding him the Bharat Ratna would be demeaning of others contribution to India. Politicians and sportsmen alike are just jumping the populist bandwagon. Let us remember that Dhyan Chand got no more than the Padma Bhushan. And surely Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh have done more for the country.
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