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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

Cricket’s Quiet Crusader

Former kca Selection Chief who helped nurture a generation of women cricketers when the sport struggled for recognition Niketha Ramankutty A prominent figure in Indian women’s cricket, Niketha Ramankutty — former Chairperson of the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) Women’s Selection Committee and Manager of the Kerala State women’s teams — has long championed the game, especially when women’s cricket had little platform in her home state. Her dedication helped nurture girls taking to cricket...

Cricket’s Quiet Crusader

Former kca Selection Chief who helped nurture a generation of women cricketers when the sport struggled for recognition Niketha Ramankutty A prominent figure in Indian women’s cricket, Niketha Ramankutty — former Chairperson of the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) Women’s Selection Committee and Manager of the Kerala State women’s teams — has long championed the game, especially when women’s cricket had little platform in her home state. Her dedication helped nurture girls taking to cricket in Kerala. During her tenure, which ended recently, five players from the state went on to represent India, while three now feature in the Women’s Premier League (WPL). Niketha’s journey began in 1995 on modest grounds and rough pitches in the blazing sun of her native Thrissur. At the time, girls aspiring to play cricket often drew curious stares or disapproving glances. This was despite Kerala producing some of India’s finest female athletes, including P.T. Usha, Shiny Wilson, Anju Bobby George, K.M. Beenamol and Tintu Luka. “Those were the days when women’s cricket did not attract packed stadiums, prime-time television coverage, lucrative contracts or celebrity status. Thankfully, the BCCI has taken progressive steps, including equal pay for the senior women’s team and launching the WPL. These have brought greater visibility, professional avenues and financial security for women cricketers,” Niketha said during a chat with  The Perfect Voice  in Pune. With better infrastructure, stronger domestic competitions and greater junior-level exposure, she believes the future of women’s cricket in India is bright and encourages more girls to pursue the sport seriously. Humble Beginnings Niketha began playing informal matches in neighbourhood kalisthalams (playgrounds) and school competitions before realising cricket was her true calling. Coaches who noticed her composure encouraged her to pursue the game seriously. More than flamboyance, she brought reliability and quiet determination to the turf — qualities every captain values when a match hangs in the balance. These traits helped her rise through the ranks and become a key figure in Kerala’s women’s cricket structure. “She was like a gentle messiah for the players. During demanding moments, they could rely on her – whether to stabilise an innings or lift team spirit,” recalled a former colleague. Guiding Youngsters Her involvement came when women’s cricket in many states struggled even for basic facilities. Matches were rarely covered by the media, and limited travel or training arrangements often tested players’ patience. “As a mother of two daughters—Namradha, 18, and Nivedya, 14—I could understand the emotions of the young girls in the teams. Guiding players through difficult phases and helping them overcome failures gave me the greatest satisfaction,” she said. Niketha — an English Literature graduate with a master’s in Tourism Management — believes success in sport demands not only skill but also sacrifice. Strong parental support and encouragement from her husband, Vinoth Kumar, an engineer, helped her overcome many challenges. Never one to seek the spotlight, she let her performances speak for themselves, earning respect on the national circuit. Quiet Legacy Today, the landscape has changed dramatically. Young girls are more ambitious, parents more supportive, and cricket is seen as a viable career with opportunities in coaching, umpiring, team management, sports analysis and allied fields. Players like Niketha have quietly strengthened the sport. Their journeys show that some victories are not won under stadium floodlights, but by determined women who simply refused to stop playing.

Breaking Barriers, One Dive at A Time

Updated: Oct 21, 2024

Janhavi Deodhar becomes India and UAE’s youngest female PADI course director

Breaking Barriers, One Dive at A Time
Breaking Barriers, One Dive at A Time

Mumbai: In a groundbreaking achievement that challenges societal norms and paves the way for future generations, Janhavi Deodhar, 23 years old from Mumbai has become India and UAE’s youngest female scuba diving PADI Course Director (professional association of diving instructors)


This remarkable feat not only showcases her exceptional skills and passion for the underwater world but also serves as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring female divers and educators.


Janhavi's journey to becoming a PADI Course Director began at a young age when she first discovered her love for the ocean at the age of 16 in Malvan, Sindhudurg her native town.


Driven by her curiosity and a desire to explore the depths, she embarked on a rigorous training program to obtain her scuba diving certifications and marking her first milestone as "One of the youngest PADI female specialty instructor from India in PADI" at the age of 20.


Her dedication and talent quickly set her apart, and she rapidly progressed through the ranks of diving education and diving industry.


As a youngest and first female Indian PADI Course Director, Deodhar is responsible for training and certifying other individuals in scuba diving.


Her role involves teaching a wide range of diving Instructors , from beginner to advanced levels, and ensuring the safety and well-being of her students. Her expertise and enthusiasm have made her a highly sought-after instructor, and she has mentored countless pro level candidates and individuals in their underwater adventures and professional career.


Janhavi's achievement is particularly significant, given the underrepresentation of women in the field of scuba diving.


By breaking this glass ceiling, she is not only inspiring other young women to pursue their dreams but also contributing to a more diverse and inclusive diving community.


Her accomplishment is a testament to her hard work, perseverance, and unwavering belief in herself.

It is a reminder that with passion, dedication, and a willingness to take risks, anything is possible.

"The ocean has always called to me. Its vastness, its mysteries, its silent beauty – it was an allure I couldn’t resist,” says Deodhar.


She started diving young, captivated by the underwater world and its incredible inhabitants. What began as a passion quickly morphed into a desire to share this experience, to guide others on their own underwater journeys.


The training was rigorous, demanding, but she thrived on the challenge.


“I loved teaching, sharing the knowledge I had acquired, and seeing the joy in others' eyes as they discovered the magic of scuba diving. But my ambitions were deeper and wider reaching far beyond the confines of my instructor certification. I wanted to be a PADI Course Director, the highest level of instruction in the diving world,” she says.


However, the journey to becoming a Course Director is long and arduous. It requires extensive training, and a commitment that borders on obsession. For a young woman, the challenges were even greater. The diving world, for too long, has been a male-dominated field.


“I faced skepticism, doubt, and the weight of expectations. But I was determined to prove that age and gender were no barriers to my dreams. I dedicated myself to the training, pouring every ounce of energy into honing my skills,” she says.


Days bled into nights, filled with studying, practicing, and immersing myself in the intricacies of diving theory and practice. The financial strain was considerable, demanding careful budgeting and sacrifices. But the fire within her burned brighter than any obstacle. The pressure was immense, but her dedication, commitment and passion had prepared her for this moment.


“When the results were announced, and I learned I had become the youngest Indian female PADI Course Director it felt like a culmination of unwavering dedication, passion, and hard work. It was more than just an achievement – it was a victory for all women who dare to dream big and push boundaries. Looking back, I wouldn’t trade a single moment. It was a journey that shaped me, forged my character, and taught me the true meaning of perseverance.”


Now, as Deodhar stands before my students, eager to learn and embark on their own diving journeys, she carries the weight of their aspirations and the responsibility to guide them with the same passion and dedication that fueled my own journey.


“My hope is that my story will inspire other young women, showing them that anything is possible if they dare to dream big and dive deep into their passions," she says.

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