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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.

Can the SCO Islamabad Summit Improve Indo-Pak Relations?

Updated: Oct 22, 2024

SCO

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), established in 2001 began with China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, evolving into one of the world’s largest trans-regional economic and security organisations. India and Pakistan joined in 2017.

The upcoming meeting in Islamabad has the potential to thaw relations between India and Pakistan. As Pakistan assumes the rotating chairmanship of the SCO CHG, it is set to host a series of high-level meetings, culminating in the October summit. For both nations, the SCO provides a neutral venue to engage in dialogue amid heightened global scrutiny.

Jaishankar’s visit is the first by an Indian foreign minister to Pakistan since 2014. Over the last decade, relations have been hostile and marked by diplomatic disengagement, with the Kashmir issue remaining an intractable barrier to peace. Both countries have escalated their military postures and intensified their nationalistic rhetoric, especially following India’s revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status in 2019.

The upcoming visit to Islamabad may signal a shift in India’s approach toward Pakistan. It remains to be seen whether this trip is merely a diplomatic formality or if it has the potential to restart bilateral dialogue. The lack of confirmed meetings between Jaishankar and his Pakistani counterparts suggests that expectations should be tempered. Nonetheless, sending a senior official to Islamabad is noteworthy in the current geopolitical climate.

Pakistan is currently grappling with internal security threats, particularly in Balochistan and along the Afghanistan border. A recent surge in terrorist attacks has intensified Islamabad’s efforts to project stability before the summit. The deployment of the Pakistan Army, Rangers, and police under Article 245 of the Constitution to maintain order highlights the high stakes for the government. Successfully hosting the summit will enhance Pakistan’s diplomatic standing and help address some domestic challenges.

Engaging with the SCO remains essential for India to counterbalance China’s influence and carve out its sphere of influence in the Indo-Pacific. The SCO’s focus on Central Asia allows India to strengthen its economic and security ties with Russia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan in key energy markets and security frameworks. However, Jaishankar’s visit may be viewed with scepticism, particularly as Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares for key elections next year.

China’s growing presence in South Asia and its partnership with Pakistan complicate India’s strategy. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project under China’s Belt and Road Initiative, has deepened economic and military ties between Islamabad and Beijing. For Pakistan, China, an ally, provides diplomatic cover in international forums, financial support, and military assistance. India, however, is concerned about China’s expanding footprint in South Asia amid rising tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Himalayas.

Beijing will likely welcome the prospect of reduced hostilities between India and Pakistan, given its broader regional ambitions. A stable South Asia serves China’s economic interests, particularly in ensuring the security of its investments in Pakistan and its energy corridors passing through Central Asia. Additionally, as a founding member of the SCO, China has a vested interest in ensuring the success of the upcoming summit in Islamabad.

However, China’s ties to Pakistan make it a partial actor in the India-Pakistan dispute. Nonetheless, its economic clout and strategic interests make it an influential stakeholder in any potential thaw between India and Pakistan.

Following Western sanctions on Russia due to the Ukraine conflict, Moscow has sought to diversify its partnerships by increasingly turning to Asia. The SCO summit presents an opportunity for Russia to deepen its engagement and expand economic and security ties in the region. However, its role as a potential mediator in South Asian conflicts remains limited. Participation in the SCO allows India and Pakistan to project stability and leadership. Jaishankar’s visit to Islamabad, while symbolically significant, may ultimately fall short of sparking meaningful dialogue. However, it does create a window—however small—for diplomatic engagement, which could set the stage for future talks.

The SCO summit in Islamabad may serve as a litmus test for the future trajectory of India-Pakistan relations. Will pragmatism prevail over entrenched hostilities, or will this opportunity for diplomacy be another missed chance for reconciliation? For world capitals like Washington, Beijing, and Moscow, the outcome of this summit will be closely monitored for its regional implications and broader impact on global geopolitics.

In a world increasingly defined by power competition, climate change, and economic uncertainty, South Asia’s stability is critical. The upcoming SCO summit could reduce tensions between India and Pakistan. Whether this leads to concrete action remains to be seen, but the opportunity is there—and the world will be watching.

(The writer is a senior journalist based in Islamabad. Views personal.)

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