Carnival begins in Kolkata ahead of Sachin’s 199th Test

The 'Sachin Tendulkar Carnival' is all set to hit the 'City of Joy' with the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), organisers of his penultimate Test match, chalking out an elaborate list of plans to felicitate the legend as he prepares to walk out at the Eden Gardens for one final time against the West Indies from November 6-10.

From conferring him with an honorary membership, felicitation by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, to naming a gallery after him, the CAB officials have chalked out a list of 'to-do' in order to match Tendulkar's home association MCA in giving the maestro a memorable farewell.

"We would like to give him an honorary membership and later we would think of naming a gallery after him. But at the moment, we would not like to disturb his focus from the match," he told reporters.

Tendulkar has always offered puja at Kolkata's famous Kali Temple at Kalighat and the CAB plans to present the cricketer's wife, Anjali, with a saree which was an offering to Goddess Kali during the recently concluded festivities.

"We would present them [Tendulkar couple] with a 'blessed saree' and if Tendulkar scores a ton, we'll feel proud," the CAB joint secretary said.

CM Banerjee will personally come to Eden Gardens on the last day of the Test to felicitate Tendulkar.

With superstars Amitabh Bachchan and Shahrukh Khan in town for the film festival during that time, they too are expected even though the CAB is tight-lipped about the guests list.

The tableau has Tendulkar's cutouts and some rare photographs and it would go to every parts of the metropolis till the last day of the Test traversing about 200 kms.

"Eden has the largest capacity of 70,000 but still many would be deprived to see Tendulkar and the tableu will make up for it. It will stop at several places giving people an opportunity to have a glimpse of it," Dalmiya said.

"To get a Test in the Tendulkar farewell series itself is a big achievement for us," he added.

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On the last day of the Test, three two-seater aircrafts will shower 199kg rose petals from the sky to make it more befitting for Tendulkar.

"They had a drill today and everything is going on course. We're hopeful of a fine show," Mitra said.

© PTI