Asian Age,PTI, New Delhi: Amid clamour for Bharat Ratna for Sachin Tendulkar, government has modified rules to pave way for eligibility of sportspersons for the highest civilian award of the country. The new rules, providing for eligibility of persons excelling in fields other than art, literature, science and public service for Bharat Ratna, were notified on November 16, Sports Minister Ajay Maken told reporters here. "I wrote a letter to Home Minister on April 15. The Prime Minister and Home Minister have very kindly agreed now to change the norm." "Instead of the fields of art, literature, science and public services, now on November 16, Government has notified that for performance of highest order in any field of human endeavour Bharat Ratna could be awarded," Maken said outside Parliament House. He said 
the decision has paved the way for any sportsperson to get Bharat Ratna award. The move comes amid clamour for conferring of Bharat Ratna on Tendulkar for his outstanding contribution to cricket. "For me as a sports minister this is one of the biggest days of Indian sport and next biggest day I think will be the day when any sportsperson is named as an awardee of Bharat Ratna," Maken said. Reacting to a question on conferring of the highest civilian order on Tendulkar and legendary hockey player Major Dhyan Chand, the Minister said the two names from the sports category that struck in his mind is 'the wizard of hockey Major Dhyan Chand and our run machine Sachin Tendulkar. Source: The Asian Age
the decision has paved the way for any sportsperson to get Bharat Ratna award. The move comes amid clamour for conferring of Bharat Ratna on Tendulkar for his outstanding contribution to cricket. "For me as a sports minister this is one of the biggest days of Indian sport and next biggest day I think will be the day when any sportsperson is named as an awardee of Bharat Ratna," Maken said. Reacting to a question on conferring of the highest civilian order on Tendulkar and legendary hockey player Major Dhyan Chand, the Minister said the two names from the sports category that struck in his mind is 'the wizard of hockey Major Dhyan Chand and our run machine Sachin Tendulkar. Source: The Asian Age
