‘Yeh bhi bohot chota tag hai bhai’ – Fans react as Election Commission recognizes legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar as ‘National Icon’

Master Blaster and Bharat Ratna awardee Sachin Tendulkar is all set to become the national icon of the Election Commission ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in 2024. Notably, the declaration was made in the presence of Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar and Election Commissioners Shri Anup Chandra Pandey and Shri Arun Goel at a meeting in New Delhi.

According to reports, the legendary cricketer’s inclusion will encourage youngsters to participate in voting, particularly in the upcoming 2024 general elections to the Lok Sabha. Notably, the EC has signed a 3-year agreement with the legendary cricketer, in which the 50-year-old star batter will be responsible for increasing voter awareness.

“Incorporating Tendulkar’s unparalleled influence among the youth, this partnership marks a significant stride in augmenting voter participation, particularly in the upcoming 2024 general elections (to Lok Sabha),” stated the EC in an official release.

Sachin Tendulkar joins the Election Commission to enhance voter engagement

Moreover, the Election Commission believes that Sachin Tendulkar’s recognition as a “national icon” can encourage young people and urban voters to participate in thoughtful voting.

“This collaboration would mark a significant step towards leveraging Tendulkar’s unparalleled impact with the youth demographic for increasing voters’ participation in the forthcoming elections, especially in General Elections 2024. The EC through this partnership aims to bridge the gap between citizens, especially youth and urban populations and the electoral process thereby, trying to address the challenges of urban and youth apathy,” the EC said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the EC has consistently collaborated with prominent individuals in a wide range of fields and has described them as “national icons”. Furthermore, this initiative encourages citizens to get involved in the electoral process.

Notably, the Election Commission has named famous actor Pankaj Tripathi to the position of national icon in 2022. In addition, during the Lok Sabha elections of 2019, prominent personalities such as legendary cricketer MS Dhoni, great actor Aamir Khan, and famous boxer Mary Kom took on their positions as the EC’s national icons to boost the voter’s participation.

Check out how fans have reacted to the same:

He deserves all the plaudits. Legend of the game.

— M (@anngrypakiistan) August 22, 2023

God of cricket! Good decision by the election commission.

— Ajay AJ (@AjayTweets07) August 22, 2023

Good decision by ECI 👏#SachinTendulkar 🇮🇳❤️

— Esha Srivastav🇮🇳🚩 (@EshaSanju15) August 22, 2023

He is the pride of India. 🇮🇳

Now some use his iconic status.

— Dr.KKR (@drkkr) August 23, 2023

An ineffective icon who doesn't express what is good and bad. We all have a huge respect for Sachin for what he has done for Indian cricket, but Sachin is not a national hero despite receiving the Bharat Ratna and remaining silent on all major problems.

— Sourabh Joshi (@iSourabhJoshi) August 23, 2023

Sachin Paaji is the "God of Cricket". National icon tag is too small for him pic.twitter.com/NETZyZS2MJ

— Ishu (@PocketDynamoo) August 22, 2023

Always absent to lok sabha but national icon. What a joke

— Hitesh (@pedhayya) August 22, 2023