Tributes pour in for TONdulkar!

Zeenews Sports Bureau

New Delhi: Sachin Tendulkar has made India proud, is what Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had to say after the man, who has carried the burden of aspirations of a billion people on his shoulders every time he stepped on to the cricket field, scored his 100th international century on Friday. Tendulkar, or to call him aptly – TONdulkar, is the first ever cricketer in history to score 100 international tons, the second best being Ricky Ponting who has scored 71 centuries. The feat was such that the Prime Minister wasted no time in congratulating the Legend of the game of cricket. And tributes poured in from everywhere. President Pratibha Patil, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee (whose Union Budget got overshadowed in the wake of Sachin’s achievement), and melody queen Lata Mangeshkar all congratulated India’s favourite ‘child’ – who can call him an adult on the field considering his child like hunger for runs. Lata didi said she can’t explain her feelings. There would never be anyone like Tendulkar, she said. Namaskar. Sachin ne aaj phir se itihaas racha hai. Sachin ko meri bahut shubhkamnayein aur badhaai,” she tweeted. Adam Gilchrist, himself a legendary wicket-keeper (Australia), described him as the best player he had ever seen. Former teammate Murali Karthik said Sachin had completed a marathon no one could ever run. Sports Minister Ajay Maken said the nation was proud of Sachin. India’s greatest actor, Amitabh Bachchan said, “Incredible feat, never before, perhaps never after.” Former Indian cricketer Bishen Singh Bedi, a staunch Tendulkar fan, said: "He must now go ahead beyond his personal landmark." Another former cricketer Mohinder Amarnath was all praise for the little master. "Its not easy in modern times to do what Sachin just did. I don't think anyone can emulate him," he said. "Sachin is a true role model who will undoubtedly hold a special place in cricket’s history,” ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said. Moment of pride! Heartiest Congratulations to #Sachin for his 100th century, a historic achievement!," tweeted Gujrat CM Narendra Modi. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also congratulated Sachin Tendulkar for scoring 100th international ton. As soon he came to know that Tendulrkar scored a century against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup tournament in Dhaka, Kumar drew the attention of the Speaker Uday Narayan Chaudhary and said the members wanted to congratulate the master blaster. Chaudhary also lavished praise on Tendulkar and said a congratulatory message would be sent to him from the assembly. "He is always focussed, he is a perfect team-man. He has got an inquisitive mind, a mind that is prepared to learn. That's how you progress. Tendulkar has got the mind that he always looks to score, never satisfied and always hungry for runs. His approach, focus and concentration is incredible," said Gavaskar. "Enough has been said about it so it's not a day to talk about it. Let's enjoy Sachin's 100th century. It's a phenomenal thing. All of us are proud of him and he is an absolute champion," added Ganguly. "It is a feat that is incomparable in any form of cricket and unparallelled in the history of this gentleman's game. In my opinion people may criticise that Sachin had taken this long to get his 100th century. It is easy for anyone to indulge in armchair talk but they will realise the difficulties only when they go out and bat for over two decades," said Chairman of selectors Kris Srikkanth. "I do not deny that Sachin had missed number of centuries being in 90s but his effort in achieving the glorious feat itself speaks volume about him. To me, it is a moment of great delight and happiness as I was involved with him as a captain when he made his international debut and being the Chairman of Selection Committee fills the cup,” he added. Meanwhile Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy and Leader of Opposition N Chandrababu Naidu have congratulated master blaster Sachin Tendulkar for smashing the hundredth ton in international cricket. "It's a stupendous achievement and the entire nation is proud of you," the chief minister said in a special message to the master blaster. By scoring his 100th Century, against Bangladesh in the ongoing Asia Cup tournament, Sachin fulfilled the dreams of one billion Indians. By achieving this unique feat, Sachin has enhanced the glory of India," said N Kiran Kumar Reddy. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also said the batting great has made the country proud with his remarkable achievement. "Tendulkar's game is an example of great creativity, patience and dedication," Chouhan was quoted as saying by the official sources. Former athlete PT Usha also congratulated the master for his historic feat. "I am very happy that he has achieved the unique feat. I join the entire people of the country in congratulating Tendulkar for making a historic hundred centuries," she said. BJP President Nitin Gadkari said Sachin is undoubtedly the greatest cricketer this game has ever produced. "I join the entire nation and the cricket lovers all over the world in celebrating this joyous occasion," he said. Former BJP President Rajnath Singh also congratulated Tendulkar. "Sachin is the ambassador of modern day cricket. His illustrious career spanning more than two decades is truly remarkable and he has made the country proud on several occasions," Singh said. Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Acting President Vijay Kumar Malhotra also hailed Tendulkar's feat of scoring a historic 100th international century. "It is a phenomenal achievement which will be very dificult to break. Tendulkar has made India proud. Congratulations to him for this incredible achievement", Malhotra said in a statement. Tamil Nadu Governor K Rosaiah congratulated Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar for scoring his 100th international hundred. "You have brought great pride to India and to every Indian on achieving this incredible milestone. India looks forward to many more Sachins in cricket and many more doyens in the field of sports," Rosaiah said in a text message to the cricketing star.