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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.

Dilapidated Ulhasnagar bridge collapses

Ulhasnagar: In the wake of the recent bridge collapse over Pune’s Indrayani River, a similar alarming incident occurred in Ulhasnagar’s Camp No. 5 area on Sunday evening. A decades-old bridge built over a stormwater drain in Ganesh Nagar collapsed due to heavy rains, narrowly missing a tragic accident. A young girl crossing the bridge escaped and a child and woman were also reportedly close to danger at the moment of collapse. Fortunately, no injuries or casualties were reported.

 

However, the collapse has caused massive disruption, cutting off access to over 600 houses in the locality. Residents now face extreme hardships, with children, elderly citizens, school students, patients, and working individuals stranded. Locals have voiced strong resentment against the Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation (UMC) for ignoring repeated warnings about the dangerous state of the bridge.

 

According to long-time residents, the bridge had been in a dilapidated condition for several years. Despite multiple complaints, written petitions, public protests, and memorandums submitted to the municipal administration, no concrete steps were taken to repair or replace the bridge. This negligence has now resulted in complete infrastructural failure, exposing the civic body’s apathy.

 

While Speaking to The Perfect Voice, local resident Radhakrishna Sathe stated, “We have been complaining to the Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation for the last two years. Despite repeated reminders, no repairs were ever carried out. A child and a woman narrowly escaped the collapse. This could have been a tragic incident.”

 

Following the collapse, angry residents held a symbolic protest at the site by staging a sit-in and weeping demonstration to draw attention to their plight. The atmosphere in the locality remains tense, with people demanding immediate construction of a new bridge and swift civic action before the situation worsens with further rainfall.

 

The Perfect Voice attempted to contact UMC Commissioner Manisha Awale for an official response, but she did not answer calls. The administration’s silence on such a serious public safety issue has only deepened citizens' frustration and highlighted the perceived insensitivity of local authorities.

 

With the monsoon just beginning and more rain expected, residents are calling on the municipal administration to act urgently and begin construction of a new, safe bridge without delay.

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