Addressing a press conference a day after he bid an emotional adieu to international cricket after playing his 200th Test here yesterday, the iconic batsman said he was humbled to have been chosen for the highest civilian award in the country.
"Yesterday I said that, this award (Bharat Ratna) is for my mother, because of all the sacrifices she made for me. As a child, you don't understand life.. When you grow up, you realise all these things," he said.
"I'm humbled and honoured to be given the Bharat Ratna. The award belongs to the entire nation, I'd say."
Tendulkar also congratulated eminent scientist Prof CNR Rao who was also conferred the Bharat Ratna along with him yesterday.
"At this stage, I would like to congratulate Prof CNR Rao for getting the Bharat Ratna. It is an honour to get the award with him, his contribution to the field of science is immense. It's only that cricket is played in front of thousands of people while scientists like him worked quietly."
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