Sachin Tendulkar, CNR Rao get Bharat Ratnas

New Delhi, Feb 4: Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and eminent scientist CNR Rao Tuesday were conferred the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, by President Pranab Mukherjee at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here.

In a glittering ceremony at the Durbar Hall, the president bestwowed the Bharat Ratna on 40-year-old Tendulkar and 79-year-old Rao.

They joined the list of 41 eminent personalities, who have been conferred the Bharat Ratna in recognition for their contribution to the society.

The former cricketer, who quit last November, later told journalists that getting the Bharat Ratna has been the biggest honour in his life and he dedicated the honour to his mother, Rajani Tendulkar. The man also congratulated Prof Rao for getting the award.

Tendulkar also said that though he has quit the game, he would continue to bat for the nation.

Tendulkar is the first sportsperson and the youngest recipient of the country's highest civilian award.

[Read: Decision to confer Sachin with Bharat Ratna taken in a day, says RTI ]

In New Delhi

President Pranab Mukherjee confers legendary cricketer SachinTendulkar with country's highest civilian honour Bharat Ratna in Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday.

In Moradabad

School children celebrate as ace cricketer Sachin Tendulkar gets country's highest civilian award Bharat Ratna, in Moradabad on Tuesday.

In New Delhi

School children celebrate as ace cricketer Sachin Tendulkar gets country's highest civilian award Bharat Ratna, in Moradabad on Tuesday.

In New Delhi

School children celebrate as ace cricketer Sachin Tendulkar gets country's highest civilian award Bharat Ratna, in Moradabad on Tuesday.

In New Delhi

Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar before being honoured with the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, by President Pranab Mukherjee during an award ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Tuesday.

In New Delhi

President Pranab Mukherjee confers the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, on legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar during a ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Tuesday.

In New Delhi

President Pranab Mukherjee confers the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, on eminent scientist Chintamani Nagesa Ramachandra Rao during a ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Tuesday.

In New Delhi

Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar (R) listens to eminent scientist Chintamani Nagesa Ramachandra Rao before they were honoured with Bharat Ratna by President Pranab Mukherjee during an awards ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Tuesday.

In New Delhi

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh exchanges greetings with UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad during Bharat Ratna Award - 2014 ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

IANS