The not-so-good side of master blaster Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar! Not everything is good about this 'God'

 Reference: http://www.yourmoneysite.com/news/2012/apr/sachin-tendulkar-not-everything-is-good-about-this-god.html

‘Sachin Tendulkar turns 39 today.’ In a country that is cricket crazy, it is obvious that the birthday of the ‘God of Cricket’ will make a part of headlines! While there is no doubt that the ‘Little Master’ has made the country proud, there are also some wrong reasons for which the Indian batsman made headlines. But, when one is in the limelight it is almost impossible to escape controversies, and the batting legend is no exception!

One of the most popular controversies against the ‘master blaster’ was when he sold away a ‘gift’! Michael Schumacher had gifted a Ferrari 360 Modena to Tendulkar on behalf of Fiat, when the batting legend scored 29 Test centuries to equal Sir Don Bradman's record. Newspapers reported that the car presented, was later sold by Tendulkar to a Surat builder Jayesh Desai.

Tendulkar remained tight-lipped when questioned on this, but his fans did not. Social media was abuzz and fans criticised him for the act. Great-great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, Tushar Gandhi went on to tweet "When Sachin got his Ferrari as a 'gift', he wanted duty & excise exemption; now that he has sold it, will he ask for capital gains exemption?”

Staying on with tax exemptions, last year the world’s richest cricketer also claimed he was an actor (and not a cricketer) when endorsing products, to save a little over Rs 2 crore! According to reports, Tendulkar was levied an income tax of Rs 2.08 crore on the earnings of almost Rs 6 crore from ESPN Star Sports, PepsiCo and Visa in foreign currency during 2001-02 and 2004-05. He claimed deduction under section 80 RR of I-T Act.

Tendulkar argued that he was a popular model who acted in commercials for endorsing products of various companies. According to him, his ‘acting’ in advertisements made him an actor and therefore, he was entitled to income tax deductions.

According to another news report, the cricketer also claimed an income tax deduction of Rs 57,969 towards staff welfare expenses. This included money spent on tea and snacks provided to his staff. Also, Rs 50,000 each as telephone and entertainment expenses and another Rs 1,42,824 as car expenses. However, the I-T tribunal discharged these claims explaining that that the use of telephone, car and food was for the cricketer and his family.

Another case, which was comparatively minor, was when the batting legend’s dream to move to his new bungalow in Bandra was marred due to a new controversy. Sachin Tendulkar apparently performed the ‘grihapravesh’ function at his new house without obtaining an occupation certificate (OC) from the civic body. According to law, one cannot enter a flat or building for which an occupation certificate has not been procured.

And the next controversy would have certainly made Tendulkar fans realise that all do not consider him the ‘God of Cricket’. At least not so much that they give away a Rs 15-lakh membership of an elite club free to him.  To become the member of the renowned Otters Club, there is a waiting period of 10 years and a membership fee of Rs 15 lakh.

When Sachin Tendulkar apparently showed interest in becoming a member of the club, he was welcomed immediately, waiving off the waiting period. According to news reports, Shah Rukh Khan had to wait a good five years to become a member, while Salman Khan and his brothers were rejected on grounds of expected misbehaviour.

The members of the club accepted waiving off the waiting period for Tendulkar, but were not ready to allow him into the club without the membership fee.

Today, Sachin Tendulkar is not just a name, it is a brand, even a faith for some people! Achieving what the batting legend has earned, must be something else! This is because even Mahatma Gandhi, who is known world over for his non-violent beliefs, was just given the title of 'Bapu.' Similarly, even after what Mother Teresa did for the poor and sick, she was given the title of only 'Mother'. But Sachin Tendulkar is called the 'God' of cricket.

As the saying goes – ‘With great power, comes great responsibilities’. When you are an idol for billions around the country and the world, the least one can do is act responsibly!