Sachin flies high,gets honorary rank of IAF Group Captain

In a break from tradition that has raised eyebrows in the world of aviation,cricketer Sachin Tendulkar has been granted the honorary rank...

In a break from tradition that has raised eyebrows in the world of aviation,cricketer Sachin Tendulkar has been granted the honorary rank of Group Captain in the Indian Air Force (IAF) for his contribution to the nation. The cricketer will be the first person not connected to the field of aviation to be granted an honorary rank in the IAF since the practice was started in 1944.

President Pratibha Patil conferred the rank to him in recognition of his glorious achievements as a cricketer and sports icon par excellence,after the IAF mooted a proposal to the effect. The IAF believes that his association with the IAF would also motivate youngsters to join the Armed Forces.

While there is no question of his outstanding contribution to the nation,questions have been raised on the propriety of the break from tradition. Till now,21 individuals have been conferred honorary ranks,the last one being in 1990 to Vijaypat Singhania who has several aviation records to his name.

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Several senior officers and formed Air Chiefs expressed their surprise. There is no question that Sachin is great but what has that got to do with the Air Force? I dont think he has ever done anything for the IAF, former IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal S Krishnaswamy told The Indian Express.

These people (who have been given honorary ranks) are icons in the world of aviation. There is no harm in giving the rank to Sachin but traditionally people who have made outstanding contributions to aviation have been honoured, a retired officer who did not wish to be named,said.

Prominent individuals who have been given honorary ranks include JRD Tata who was first granted the rank of Group Captain in 1948 and was promoted to the rank of Air Vice Marshal in 1974.

An honorary rank under normal circumstances would be given to someone who made a contribution to the service. The IAF probably thought of this as a way of telling people that sports is an important part of the services, defence analyst Air Commodore Jasjit Singh said.

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