Sachin Tendulkar became Captain forever.

Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar confered with honorary rank of Group Captain in Indian Air Force to honour his cricketing achievements and contribution to the nation.

Before being felicitated, Sachin went through a process familiarisation with the IAF and its training practices.

In January 2010 IAF made a proposal to confer honorary rank of Group captain to Sachin. and in June 23 President Prathibha Patil had conferred the honorary rank under the provision of granting honorary rank by Armed forces to eminent personalities acknowledging their contribution to the nation.

Sachin Tendulkar is the first person from sports to be conferred a rank by IAF also he is the first person to receive the honour with no aviation background.

"It's a great pleasure and honour to be honoured by IAF. It was a wishful thinking and it has come true today. I'm extremely proud to be a part of IAF. I want to urge the youth to join air force and serve the nation. So dream, because dreams do come true," Tendulkar said after receiving the honour.

IAF feels that besides the recognition, his association with it would motivate the younger generation to join the Air Force to serve the country.

Naik said the batting legend's association with IAF will help in making the youth aware about the Air Force.

"Youth admires him (Tendulkar). I think the youth will get inclined towards the Air Force. What youth will do in future we can't say but the indications that we are getting from school students ... we are hopeful.

"To take corrective measures in reforming the IAF is my duty and Sachin's association will help in spreading awareness (about the Air Force)," Naik said.

Few of those who conferred with hornorary ranks were
Jawahar Yashwant Rao - Flight Lieutenant in 1944 (The first who received honorary rank)
JRD Tata - Air Vice Marshal in 1974
Vijaypat singhania - Air Commodore in 1990
Kapil Dev - Lieutenant Colonel of the Territorial Army in 2008

We Connect Indya congratulates and Captain Sachin Tendulkar and wishing him all the very best.