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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.

Celebrating the essence of friendship

I belong to an era where friends were family and for life. We exchanged clothes, pencils, pens, compass boxes etc. We would visit each other, sit in Veranda and chat  whole evening. We lived moments and never felt bored, sad, or depressed and lonely. The emotional connection was so deep that we never felt insecure because we knew that at any stage of life we have a true friend to rely on.This year Friendship day is celebrated on August 3rd.


Friends are not just people we talk to or just spend time with. They are the ones who understand our silence, accept us with flaws and stand by us not because they have to but because they want to. They are the ones we lean on when life gets heavy and the ones we laugh with when life feels light. A friend may be someone from school, college, neighbourhood or even someone met randomly or unexpectedly who becomes irreplaceable.


In today's hyper-connected world, we have hundreds or even thousands of friends - online and offline. Friendship has drastically changed over the years where the nature and role of friends has evolved.


Interaction

Then: Time was spent in person.

Now: Links and replies define interactions.


Connectivity

Then : Letters, Visits, Phone Calls etc

Now : Emojis, memes, status updates etc


Bonding

Then : Fewer friends, deeper bonds

Now : More contacts, shallow engagements


Sharing space

Then :  Friendship were formed in shared spaces  like schools, home, gatherings etc

Now : Friendship formed in digital space


Presence

Then :  physical presence in times of need

Now : virtual support often limited.


The shift to virtual friendship has brought both convenience and cost .

 

Less face-to-face to face : This leads to weaker emotional connection.


Busy digital life: This has reduced the quality time spent with friends


FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out): This breeds comparison not connection.


Friendship now is often transactional built around gains, status and influence. As a result, loneliness has crept into our lives despite digitally active. The length of the chord of emotion has shortened thereby widening the distances in friendship.


Reach out to friends for real conversation not just for a contact or connect. Whenever possible meet in person. Nothing can replace a real hug or a shared laugh. Limit screen time bonding. Prioritise calls, visits and quality talks over passive scrolling. Nurture old connections. Rekindle old true friendships which is always fulfilling than gaining new followers. Celebrate birthdays, plan a picnic or even a movie outing, coffee meet etc which will create offline memories .


Digital friends are not inherently bad as they too can offer connections and even evolve into meaningful bonds. But nothing can replace the power of a true friend who walks with you in every season of life.


In the age of virtual proximity, let us not forget the beauty of genuine connection because in the end it's not the number of friends we have, but the depth of a few who truly shape our lives.


As a quote says "A true friend is someone who walks in when rest of the world walks out".


So, this friendship day let's not just celebrate it but let's live it, honor it and nurture it because friends are not just part of life, they are the heart of it.


Friendship is not about big gesture-- it's about being there. Celebrate it by being committed, unbiased, present, true and loving.


"Happy friendship day to all of you"


(The writer is a tutor based in Thane.)

 

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