Hope Tendulkar enjoys his role as Rajya Sabha member: Anand

World chess champion Viswanathan Anand on Sunday said that Sachin Tendulkar serving as a Rajya Sabha member would be a big step in his life and wished the cricket legend enjoys his new role."I hope he (Tendulkar) enjoys his role and he is able to do it very well. It's a big step for him and I think he will enjoy it," Anand said.

Tendulkar will take oath as a member of Rajya Sabha on Monday.Anand said that he was not the one to lobby for himself to be conferred the Bharat Ratna, but thanked his well-wishers for believing that he deserves the country's highest civilian award.

"I simply can't imagine myself campaigning for that award. I am not gonna do that. What happens happens. I don't want to say anything that might influence anything," he said."I appreciate the support ... anyone who takes position on my behalf supporting me. A feeling that people are behind you gives you a lot of strength, that I appreciate," he told NDTV.

Anand returned to a rousing reception at his home city Chennai Saturday night after winning his fifth world title by defeating Boris Gelfand of Israel in a tense tie-breaker in Moscow on Wednesday.

© PTI