Cricket Legend Sachin Tendulkar Assumes Role as National Icon for Election Commission of India
23-08-2023 : Renowned cricket icon and recipient of the Bharat Ratna award, Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, embarked on a new journey on Wednesday as he took on the mantle of ‘National Icon’ for voter awareness and education on behalf of the Election Commission of India (ECI).
In a significant stride towards this collaboration, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was officially inked with the cricket legend for a tenure spanning three years. The ceremony took place at the Akashvani Rang Bhavan in New Delhi, where Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar and Election Commissioners Anup Chandra Pandey and Arun Goel graced the event with their presence.
This collaboration holds immense promise, leveraging Tendulkar’s unparalleled influence, particularly among the youth demographic, to bolster voter engagement and participation in the upcoming elections, notably the General Elections of 2024. The ECI envisions this partnership as a means to bridge the gap between citizens, particularly urban youth, and the electoral process. It is designed to address the challenges of urban and youth apathy, a goal that is paramount for the ECI.
In his capacity as the National Icon for the Election Commission of India, Sachin Tendulkar expressed his wholehearted commitment to the cause of voter awareness and engagement. He underscored the pivotal role of youth in the nation-building process of a vibrant democracy like India. Drawing a parallel between the fervor displayed for Team India during sports events and the enthusiasm needed to propel the democratic process, Tendulkar emphasized the power of casting regular votes. He highlighted the spirit and enthusiasm that should guide citizens from stadiums to polling booths, asserting that a prosperous future for India lies in the active participation of youth from all corners of the nation.
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar applauded Sachin Tendulkar’s extensive legacy, which extends far beyond his cricketing achievements, encompassing values such as excellence, teamwork, and an unrelenting pursuit of success. Kumar highlighted Tendulkar’s influence, extending beyond sports, which makes him an apt choice to advocate for the ECI and promote increased voter turnout.
The collaboration between Tendulkar and the ECI encompasses a range of initiatives, including Tendulkar’s involvement in promoting voter awareness through various television talk shows, programs, and digital campaigns. These efforts aim to heighten understanding about the significance of voting and its role in shaping the trajectory of the nation.
As part of the event, students from the National School of Drama presented a poignant skit that underscored the crucial role of voting in bolstering democracy.
The Election Commission of India frequently aligns with distinguished individuals from various domains and designates them as ECI’s national icons to inspire and motivate voters to participate actively in the democratic process. Notably, in the previous year, acclaimed actor Pankaj Tripathi was recognized as the National Icon. This endeavor follows in the footsteps of the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections, where luminaries like M.S. Dhoni, Aamir Khan, and Mary Kom served as ECI National Icons, contributing to the promotion of voter engagement and awareness.
