Statue maker elated at getting Sachin's praise

Artist Sushanta Roy said it was the "happiest moment of his life" when cricketing great Sachin Tendulkar appreciated his work - a life-size wax statue of the icon - unveiled at the Eden Gardens here Monday.

"Tendulkar thanked me and appreciated my work. This is the happiest moment of my life. I never imagined I would someday get the opportunity to meet him," Roy beamed standing beside Tendulkar.

Roy, a resident of Asansol, had been knocking on all doors to gift Tendulkar the statue which he had been planning since Tendulkar scored hundred international centuries. But he could not get the opportunity owing to various reasons.

"This time I approached the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) with my wish of gifting the statue and they accepted it. I am grateful to them," said Roy, who took six weeks to complete the statue which replicates the trademark Tendulkar posture of a raised bat and helmet on reaching a milestone.

Roy has also made statues of several celebrities including actors Amitabh Bachchan, singers Kishore Kumar and Manna Dey and football legend Diego Maradona.

"I had prepared Maradona's statue as I wanted to gift it to the man when he had come to Kolkata. But I couldn't because of some difficulties. But all that anguish and sadness evaporated today after Sachin praised my work," added Roy.