Tendulkar to be conferred honorary rank of IAF Group Captain

File photo of President Pratibha Patil presenting the Padma Vibhushan to Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on May 05, 2008.

Indian cricket star Sachin Tendulkar will be conferred with the honorary rank of Group Captain of the Indian Air Force (IAF) in recognition of his glorious achievements as a cricketer and sports icon par excellence.

The Armed Forces have a provision to grant honorary rank to eminent personalities to acknowledge their contributon towards the nation.

The IAF had mooted the proposal to confer the honorary rank on Tendulkar, which the President, who is also the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, has accepted it.

Besides the recognition, Tendular's association will motivate the younger generation to join the Air Force to serve the country, the IAF feels.

Accepting the honour, Tendulkar described it as a great honour. "As an Indian, I am very proud to be associated with this dynamic force and I shall do my very best to be a brand ambassador for the IAF," he said.

Expressing his eagerness to interact with the air warriors, he said, “I am looking forward to familiarizing myself with the Indian Air Force. I once again salute the Indian Air Force for this great honour bestowed on me”.

Till date 21 persons have been granted honorary ranks from Flight Lieutenant to Air Marshal. The last person to be conferred the honorary rank of Air Commodore was industrialist Vijaypat Singhania on October 8, 1990.

NNN