Master Blaster Sachin to become wing commander or Group captain
Posted on June 24, 2010
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The Indian Air Force is considering a move to confer the honorary rank of eitherr wing commander or Group captain on master batsman Sachin Tendulkar. Having crossed every single milestone in international cricket, Maestro Sachin Tendulkar has set his sights on an even bigger challenge – to become a certified Indian Air Force pilot. A civilian being conferred honourary ranks by the armed forces is very rare.
A civilian being conferred honourary ranks by the armed forces is as rare as it gets. It’s the first time a cricketer will be conferred this honor. As a matter of fact this is the first time in the entire world that any civilian will be honored with an air force rank.
According to reports, “A decision was reached upon after a long debate as to what rank the great batsman should be given – Wing Commander, Squadron Leader or Group Captain. The Air Force has forwarded the necessary files to the Defence Ministry and is now awaiting the Prime Minister’s Office and the president’s consent before making a formal announcement.” Last year, the Territorial Army made Kapil Dev the Honorary Colonel.
As per the rules, honorary rank in the Indian armed forces can be granted to both “Indian or non-Indian nationals who have rendered service of a high order to the Indian Union and who have rendered signal service to any of the armed forces, or who have taken a special interest in fostering the development of any of the armed forces”.
Government rules state that “the recipient should be granted such rank as is befitting to his (or her) status, position and age”.
Sachin Tendulkar turned 37 a few days ago and has completed 20 years in international cricket. He made his cricket debut for India against Pakistan in December 1989.
Sources said the rank of either “squadron leader” or “wing commander” would possibly be “appropriate” for Sachin. An IAF officer attains the rank of squadron leader after six years in service and wing commander after 13 years of service.
Several years ago, for inst-ance, the Indian Air Force had conferred the honorary rank of air commodore on aviation enthusiast, world record-holder and industrialist Vijaypat Singhania.
More recently, in 2008, the Indian Army had conferred the rank of lieutenant-colo-nel on former cricketer Kapil Dev after his commissioning into the Territorial Army.
According to official procedure, for such a grant the IAF headquarters will need to forward the recommendation for honorary rank along with the remarks of the IAF chief to the MoD. After due scrutiny by the MoD, and subject to appro-val by the defence minister, the proposal will have to be sent to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). It is only after approval is granted by the PMO that the proposal may be sent for the final approval of the President of India, the Supreme Commander of the armed forces.
Presently Sachin is out of the country, on a telephonic conversation he showed gratitude and thanked the Indian Government for giving him such a prestigious honor.
Personally, I think such moves are good and progressive as this act will motivate more and more youngsters to join Airforce services.
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Great site. A lot of useful information here. I’m sending it to some friends!
SACHIN DAUGHTER SARA TENDULKAR…
Very interesting post
hiiiiiiiiii main santosh kumar mujhe airforce achchha lagta hai
Indian Air Force is best in the entire world
and his the best in our all forces