Journalism of Courage
Sachin Tendulkar is set to begin a new innings. President Pratibha Patil today approved his nomination as member of Rajya Sabha.
On Thursday,Tendulkar and his wife Anjali called on Sonia Gandhi who congratulated the cricket icon on his 100th international century. He is also learnt to have sought an appointment with the PM.
Tendulkars nomination comes in the backdrop of the growing clamour for the Bharat Ratna for him. The Maharashtra government recently recommended his name for the highest civilian award. There were also demands to confer the Khel Ratna on the cricketer. With pressure mounting to honour him,the UPA government was learnt to have decided to nominate him to the Upper House.
Under Article 80 of the Constitution,the President can nominate 12 persons having special knowledge or practical experience in fields such as literature,science,art and social service. Tendulkar,39,will be the first active sportsperson to be nominated to Rajya Sabha.
Asked about Tendulkars nomination,Congress spokesperson Renuka Chowdhury said,It will look nice if he comes to Parliament. It will encourage sports.
Senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said,Sachin is a great player. We are proud of him. If Sachin is being nominated surely he would devote some time to the Parliament.
Aga,a member of the Sonia Gandhi-led National Advisory Council,is a director on the board of Thermax,a leading Indian player in energy and environment management. She has written extensively on corporate governance,corporate social responsibility and women empowerment and is keenly involved in issues relating to communal harmony and human rights. She is also actively involved in education for the underprivileged.
Rekha joins many distinguished names from the film fraternity who have been nominated to the Rajya Sabha,including Javed Akhtar,Shabana Azmi,Nargis Dutt,Vyjayantimala Bali,Hema Malini,Shyam Benegal,Mrinal Sen,Prithviraj Kapoor and Lata Mangeshkar.
