Manmohan, Sachin on Time’s most influential list

Nine Indians, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and economist Amartya Sen have been named in Time magazine’s annual list of 100 most influential people.

The other Indians on the list are: Eye doctor Perumalsamy Namperumalsamy, humanitarian worker Sanjit Buker Roy, writer Chetan Bhagat, Indian-American doctor and Harvard professor Atul Gwande, paramedic from Toronto Rahul Singh and entrepreneur Kiran Mazumdar Shaw.

The magazine recognised the Indian Prime Minister’s contribution towards liberalising the economy and now “guiding India into the ranks of great powers.”

“The long history of India boasts many great leaders. But the much shorter history of Indian democracy is already creating its own heroes, and Manmohan Singh, 77, is one of them,” Indra Nooyi, CEO of Pepsi, wrote in the magazine.

Extravagantly outfitted singer Lady Gaga, former US President Bill Clinton and Brazil’s leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva are the world’s most influential people in different categories, according to Time magazine’s annual list.

A mango named Sachin

The master blaster has shattered many records and many of his fans have named their sons Sachin. But now, even a fruit has been named after the cricketing star. A rare talent, is now a rare variety of mango.

Mango expert, Kalimullah Khan says, "There is no player like Sachin Tendulkar in the whole world and that's why I have named this mango Sachin."

This hybrid mango or Sachin as it is now called is a combination of two of the finest Indian varieties, the juicy Goodar Shah and the delicious Chausa.

But this is not for sale.

"Our Sachin is a world hero and he is priceless and not a sale-able commodity. So, my attempt will be to send all the mangoes on this tree to Sachin so he can enjoy them with his friends," adds the mango expert.

Kalimullah has produced nearly 300 new mango varieties.

After Sachin, he's already planning another rare variety. This one will be named after one of Sachin's ardent fans, Lata Mangeshkar.

Kalimullah says, "I can think of Lata Mangeshkar. I have a desire to produce a slender variety of mango which should be able to carry the name of Lataji."

When India's finest cricketing talent meets India's finest fruit it'll surely be sweet!

Tendulkar's fans in Rajkot celebrate his birthday with 93 statues

Rajkot, April 24 (ANI): Cricket lovers in Gujarat's Rajkot city celebrated the 37th birthday of master blaster Sachin Tendulkar here on Saturday in their own special way.


Buzz up!
Kishore Ghedioya of Rajkot made the replica of a cricket ground and displayed 93 statues of Sachin Tendulkar, to highlight the 93 centuries made by him in both test and one-day cricket.


The model cricket ground was made in an area of 80 meters.

"I wanted to do this for a long time. My dream has been fulfilled now. My friends have helped me a lot in this effort. I pray to God that Sachin Tendulkar keeps on playing well and I get more chances to celebrate his birthdays. It's my dream, I hope Sachin Tendulkar fulfills it, that India wins the World Cup with Sachin Tendulkar in the Indian team," said Ghedioya.

Also put on show were 3,679 balls, which emphasized the 3,679 fours made by Tendulkar in his 20 year long international cricket career.

Ghedioya along with other Tendulkar fans celebrated Tendulkar's birthday by cutting a cake on his behalf.

"Today is Sachin Tendulkar's birthday and I have come here to celebrate his birthday. I learnt here that he has made ninety-three centuries and so on this occasion people here have made ninety-three statuettes of him. I also wish Sachin Tendulkar a very happy birthday. I am delighted to come here. We celebrated his birthday by cutting a cake," said Vivek Arora, a student.

Tendulkar has etched his name in the annals of cricket history with almost all major batting records under his cap.

He became the first batsman to score 200 runs in one-day internationals, during the second ODI against South Africa in Gwalior, India on February 24, 2010.

Tendulkar was named player of the 2003 World Cup, scoring a record 673 runs to help India reach the final, where they lost to Australia. The next year, he equaled compatriot Sunil Gavaskar's world record of 34 test hundreds while compiling 248 not out, his highest score, in Australia.

He also surpassed West Indies' Brian Lara's record as the highest test run-scorer in 2008. Lara had scored 11,953 runs before he retired from international cricket in 2007. Tendulkar has scored 13,447 test runs.

Cricketers, politicians, stars wish Sachin on 37th birthday

MUMBAI: The controversies surrounding the Indian Premier League (IPL) took a backseat as ciricketers, Bollywood stars and politicians wished batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar a happy 37th birthday on Saturday and and hoped for his speedy recovery for Sunday's final between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings.

Tendulkar is doubtful for the IPL final as he has stitches on his hand and is struggling to recover in time for the match.

Leading the state in greeting Sachin, Maharashtra Governor K Sankaranaraynn said, "the entire nation and cricket lovers across the world are proud" to see him setting new records in all formats of cricket.

"As a great admirer of your style and sense of commitment to the nation, I join the millions of your fans in wishing you a very special birthday," the governor said in a message.

"While congratulating you, I hope you will continue to set newer records in the years to come," Sankaranarayanan said.

Tendulkar's Mumbai Indians team mate Harbhajan Singh, greeting the maestro said he is "not 37 years old, but 37 years young, as he continues to play with the zeal of an enthusiastic youngster even today."

Harbhajan said he always felt very close to Tendulkar and looked up to him for advice in his good and bad times.

"In fact I think I have reached this stage in life only because of his support," he added gallantly.

In a special front-page article on the occasion, Shiv Sena mouthpiece Saamna paid a tribute to the master-blaster and wished him many more records for the future.

Rajasthan Royals captain and Australian spin legend Shane Warne also wished Tendulkar via Twitter.

"Happy birthday to the little master and my friend Sachin!! Hope he is not injured for the final... Good luck to both teams," Warne said on his Twitter account.

Yuvraj Singh tweeted: "Happy birthday Master Blaster. Lots of love n best of wishes for the final."

Bollywood was also not behind as veteran actor Anupam Kher said Tendulkar is a "reason to be proud of being an Indian".

"Happy birthday Sachin. You are one of THE reasons to be proud of being an Indian. Tks 4 helping us Rise above the pettiness of our surroundings," Kher said.

Bollywood superstar and owner of Kolkata Knight Riders owner Shah Rukh Khan wished Tendulkar a happy birthday and hoped that he recover for the final.

"Happy Birthday Sachin. Hope ur fingers heal soon," Khan said.

Laxman, Harris congratulate Sachin for his Birthday

New Delhi: With Sachin Tendulkar approaching his 38th birthday on April 24, his India teammate VVS Laxman today congratulated the master batsman and hoped that he will continue to serve the country in the coming years.

"I wish Sachin happy birthday. He is a great cricketer who has done so much for his country and I wish him a nice life ahead," Laxman said.

Tendulkar, who made his Test debut against Pakistan in 1989, has become the highest run accumulator in both forms of the international cricket -- Test and ODI.
"I hope Tendulkar will continue with his fine form in the international cricket for some more time and will guide Indian team to more memorable victories," Laxman told reporters here.

Meanwhile, Laxman`s Deccan Chargers teammate Ryan Harris also congratulated Tendulkar.

"Sachin has completed 20 years in international cricket and this is a great achievement no doubt. Sachin is the king of cricket and it is always a privilege to see him batting against any opponent," Harris said.


"I also congratulate him," the Australian said.

Sachin special takes MI into the semis

The Mumbai Indians have a powerful batting order, some handy pacemen, but it counts for nought unless Sachin Tendulkar pulls his weight.
This has been the case in the visitors’ last two away matches and it could have been the same on Sunday. But the Mumbai skipper’s valiant knock of 89 not out bailed his team out of a batting collapse, gave a decent score to defend, and, finally got them that elusive victory.
Mumbai Indians beat the Rajasthan Royals by 37 runs and with it confirmed a semifinal berth.
Given that these are final stages of the league matches, every tie is a pressure game and Tendulkar proved smarter in a contest that didn’t favour him initially.
No one could breach Shane Warne’s fortress in the first IPL, but the Master Blaster is used to doing the unthinkable. Combative, industrious and fertile, Tendulkar showed why he is a cricketer of the highest calibre whose record and speed of scoring speak for themselves.
Being pegged back after Shane Watson made early inroads in the Mumbai top order, Tendulkar played a waiting game after Sanath Jayasuriya and Ambati Rayudu were sent back in the second over and Saurabh Tiwary’s wicket in the fourth proved to be a big blow.
It takes guts and imagination to recover after losing three quick wickets and Tendulkar showed both qualities in plenty. He carved a partnership with JP Duminy to get hold of a match that was fast slipping away. They pushed for the singles, punished the loose deliveries and avoided anything silly to negate wicket-taking opportunities.
Tendulkar deployed the sweep shot against Warne, often stepped out for the big hits and never showed any sign of vulnerability.
Mumbai reached 100 in the 14th over, Tendulkar clinched his 50 in the 16th and the visitors finished with 174 at the end of 20 overs.
Mumbai scored 68 runs in the last five overs and carried that momentum with the ball to beat the Royals convincingly.

Tendulkar leads Mumbai into semis

Jaipur: Sachin Tendulkar took the Mumbai Indians to the semi-finals of the IPL by thumping the Rajasthan Royals for the first time on their home ground. Though they had an almost perfect start, the Royals were dazzled by Tendulkar's magic on Sunday as they lost by 37 runs at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium on Sunday.
Shane Warne tried all his tactics at the 'fortress' but Tendulkar was up for it as he revived the Mumbai Indians with an unbeaten 89 off 59 balls. Once tottering, the Mumbai Indians managed an impressive 174-5, thanks to a super innings from their skipper.

In their chase, Royals were never in the hunt with Zaheer Khan and some needless run outs giving Mumbai control right from the onset. The home team could manage only 137-8 in their 20 overs.
Rajasthan lost three wickets for 11 runs and never managed a fightback with Adam Voges (28) top-scoring for them. After both openers perished, they were jolted when Shane Watson (one) was run out in the third over due to a mix-up with Faiz Fazal. Yusuf Pathan (10), who had slammed a hundred against the Mumbai Indians in their previous outing, could manage only one six before skying one off Kieron Pollard.
Earlier, after electing to bowl, Shane Watson ripped through the Mumbai top order with three quick wickets to have the visitors on the mat at 30-3 in the fourth over. The Aussie all-rounder snared Sanath Jayasuriya (one), Ambati Rayadu (zero) and Saurabh Tiwary (15).
Tendulkar and JP Duminy (31 off 32) then started the recovery process with some steady batting. The master also stitched a crucial stand with Kieron Pollard (25 off 13).
After a patient half-century, Tendulkar, who was dropped on 45 by Aditya Dole, opened up his shoulders in the end, blasting Siddarth Trivedi for 20 runs in the last over including two sixes. The Mumbai skipper also smashed 10 boundaries in his unconquered knock.
Tendulkar's blaze in the end also helped him snatch back the Orange Cap from Royal Challengers Bangalore's Jacques Kallis. The South Africa all-rounder now trails Tendulkar by 11 runs.