Sachin Tendulkar becomes an MP

Earlier this week Sachin Tendulkar was nominated in India's upper house of Rajya Sabha for seat as Member of Parliament. President Pratibha Patil validated his admission and approved Sachin's nomination for a seat in India's upper house of parliament. This makes Sachin Tendulkar to be the first active sportsman in the parliament house. The 39-year-old Tendulkar became the first cricketer to score 100 international centuries in March.

 

Sachin Tendulkar becomes the first sports person to be an MP in the Rajya Sabha

Tendulkar met the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday and was offered a seat in the upper house's nominated category. He accepted the offer and his name went from the prime minister's office to the home ministry, and then the office of the President, who formally approved the candidature. 

Tendulkar will fill one of 12 seats in the Rajya Sabha that are reserved for those persons "having special knowledge or practical experience in respect of such matters as literature, science, art and social service."  Previous nominated MPs, who serve a six-year term, include the musician Ravi Shankar, the singer Lata Mangeshkar and the artist MF Husain.

 

Sachin Tendulkar accepted to be a Member of Parliament

Lots of people supported this move but it was met with a few criticisms.. the biggest from fellow retired cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar who felt Sachin can't fit into this role as he doesn't have enough experience in this. Anyway, I treat it as a honor for him and he might learn a few things which could be good. He could also contribute what he knows. Lets see how it goes :)