Nation salutes Tendulkar on his 50th Test ton

New Delhi - President Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, BJP boss Nitin Gadkari and melody queen Lata Mangeshkar on Sunday hailed Sachin Tendulkar for being the first man to notch 50 Test tons, calling his feat "amazing, remarkable and historic."

President Patil said Tendulkar's achievement was remarkable for which all Indians should be proud of while Prime Minister Singh said the feat was "amazing" and he hoped the batting maestro will continue to bring joy to "our countrymen".

Wishes and congratulatory messages started pouring in on Twitter for the "God of Cricket" as soon as Tendulkar brought up the 50th Test hundred of his career on the fourth day of the first Cricket Test against South Africa in Centurion.

"It is an amazing achievement to play for the country for over two decades and still continue to be the team's anchor. Sachin makes all of us so very proud," Singh said, wishing more "such achievements" to him.

Gandhi said creation of another world record was "indeed a historic feat and he has done India proud".

Lata tweeted in the micro blogging site "Sachin ...iske aage hum, aur Kya kahein? Heartiest congratulations! You have brought further glory to the country! God bless you!."

Gadkari, an avid cricket enthusiast, described Tendulkar's achievement as great and said the country was proud of him.

"I have discussed with my friends and we plan to felicitate and honour him soon," he said.

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi described Tendulkar's achievement as a "historic milestone".

Modi, who is also the president of the Gujarat Cricket Association, said: "Sachin will the greatest batsman ever and incredible. It shows his commitment to the game who plays for the country and not run after records."

source: PTI