R Eswar - Rediff.com
Mumbai, May 22: Sachin Tendulkar is a silent crusader when it comes to charitable works undertaken by him.
Reluctant at first to open up on this aspect of his life, lest it appears as a publicity hunting stunt, Tendulkar says he has been involved in humanitarian deeds since quite some time and would continue to do his bit to help the underprivileged.
Successor to Indian President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam in the Board of CARE Hospitals, Tendulkar says the hospital has been of great help to the needy, especially sportspersons of the state.
"It was an honour for me when our President, Dr Abdul Kalam suggested my name to be in the Board of CARE Hospitals in Hyderabad in his place when he became the first citizen of India," said Tendulkar.
Tendulkar has been instrumental in the hospital taking care of total expenses for treatment of even state level sportsmen and women.
"This includes even by-pass surgeries, besides different problems faced by sportspersons. The hospital authorities keep me posted about their work towards sportspersons," he said after the initial hesitation to disclose his charitable deeds.
Tendulkar has also been lending a helping hand to the downtrodden in Tardeo in Mumbai for over 11 years now by providing clothes and other necessities to 250 children besides taking care of their complete education, including books, notebooks, shoes and school uniforms.
Tendulkar has helped over 300 have-nots so far through the Dr Agarwal Eye Hospital in Chennai since October 2004 to get their cataract and eye grafting operations done.
The champion batsman said he is unwilling to talk about this aspect of his as he did not want to seek publicity from these causes.
"I have never spoken about these things so far. I am not to seek any publicity in these matters," he said.
"I am involved with 'Apnalaya' in Tardeo, Care Hospitals in Hyderabad and Dr Agarwal Eye Clinic in Chennai, besides the 'Make Wish Foundation', which has been doing a remarkable job for over a decade."
Tendulkar also expressed his happiness at the work being done by the Dr Agarwal Eye hospital.
"Since October 2004, the hospital has been doing cataract and eye grafting operations for the needy people.
"Ever since I had laid the foundation stone for their hospital in Bangalore, Dr Agarwal and other doctors in Chennai and Bangalore have so far operated over 300 poor persons from different parts of the country.
"The hospital sends me the photograph and the signature or thumb impression of each of the beneficiary under this scheme," he said.
About the school, he said, "I have adopted slum children of 'Apnalaya' school in Tardeo in Mumbai for over 11 years now. I have been taking care of their education, clothing and other expenses of about 250 children for a number of years now."
Leena Joshi, director of 'Apnalaya', expressed her gratitude for the cricketer, saying besides Tendulkar's personal donations, the institution also benefitted from sponsors due to their association with the master batsman.
"It was a great help at a time when we needed it. Sachin graciously accepted our proposal to help in educating children.
"Our institution has benefitted in many ways including getting sponsorship through Sachin for our projects, besides his financial assistance in helping the children, especially in our priorities for girls.
"He also takes care of their extra tuitions. It is always gratifying when children pass out of the school so that they are able to take care of themselves and secured in jobs."
As a policy, the school does not divulge the donor's name or introduce the donors to the children.
"But our 1800 children were elated when Sachin presented medals and trophies to the winners on our annual sports day," she said.
"We were all pleasantly surprised when he came to our school ground to be the chief guest for the annual sports day because it is located in such an area behind the garbage dumping area," she said.