Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar was sworn in as a member of the upper house of parliament on Monday, but he vowed to put his on-field performance before any political activity. Tendulkar, who is worshipped by millions of avid cricket fans in India, was appointed to the Rajya Sabha for a seat theoretically reserved for people who distinguish themselves in the fields of arts, science or social service.
"It is an honour which I accept with full respect but I am here because of my cricketing career," he said after the low-key ceremony. "I cannot take any focus away from my cricket because that is where it all started for me." Tendulkar, 39, no longer plays international Twenty20 cricket but is still one of the world's leading one-day international and Test match players and he competed in the recent Indian Premier League season.
He is the first active sportsman to serve in India's upper house and on Monday he repeated that he had no immediate plans to retire. "I am in a better position not only to help cricket but also other sports in the country," he said. "I would be happy if I am remembered (as) someone who has contributed to all sports in India rather than just my cricket statistics."
Tendulkar has previously been careful to steer well clear of India's often bitter political world, and it remains unclear how much he will participate in parliament after his playing days are over. When he was nominated in April, the Times of India said the gesture made "little sense" while some opposition lawmakers accused the government of crass populist politics.
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