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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.

Five-week ‘Bandra Station Mahotsav’ opens June 20

Mumbai: In a first ever initiative, the Western Railway (WR) will kickstart a dedicated ‘Bandra Station Mahotsav’ with a series of lively events scheduled over five-weeks to mark the key halt’s 160th anniversary, from June 20-July 27, officials said.

 

The grand celebration is intended to highlight the Bandra station’s rich heritage, glorious history, its transformation over 16 decades and its emotional public connect, said WR’s Chief Spokesperson Vineet Abhishek.

 

“After the formal inauguration on Friday, a wide range of events have been planned for June-July to involve commuters, art lovers, historians and the general public to commemorate this remarkable milestone,” Abhishek told The Perfect Voice.

 

The India Posts will hail Bandra Station by releasing a special postal stamp along with WR’s vibrant cultural programs showcasing local artists and talents, not only from Bandra, oft referred to as the ‘Queen of Suburbs’, but all Mumbaikars, he said.

 

Some of the highlights include thematic, multiple arts/crafts competitions, Vlog making, Make a Badge of Bandra Station, ‘Purani Yaadein’ featuring memories of people of the landmark station and its legacy, including scenes in Bollywood films.

 

“The Vlog Making Competition has called upon participants to express their vision of the Bandra Station’s glory and its metamorphosis in the past 160-years through short videos,” Abhishek explained.

 

‘Purani Yaadein’ (old memories) has invited the people and celebs to share their nostalgic memoirs, photos, audios-videos on their personal links with Bandra Station.

 

On July 5-6, a special sound-and-light show and a photo-expo will be held at the Bandra Station depicting its journey over time, and its contribution to the evolution and development of Mumbai.

 

Abhishek said that interviews of eminent personalities from Bandra and railway aficionados shall be conducted and hosted over multiple media, capturing their insights and memorable experiences associated with Bandra Station.

 

The WR appealed to all citizens to actively engage in the Bandra Station Mahotsav, use hashtags on social media, participate in the multitude of competitions and initiatives which would be evaluated by panels of eminent judges with attractive prizes in store for the winners, assured Abhishek.

 

Bandra Station – Gateway of Queen of Suburbs

Ranked among the finest suburban stations with an old-world charm, Bandra Station – once known as ‘Bandora’ - has a distinctive 19th Century blend of Victorian Gothic and Vernacular architectural form with its cascade of roofline, making it a landmark from the era of Bombay, Baroda & Central India Railway (BB&CIR), the front-runner to the modern WR and CR.

 

The other eye-catchers are its baroque cast-iron pillars now a rarity but exemplifying the harmony between the past and present. For the festival, the entire Bandra Station has undergone a facelift to exude a swank, colourful and welcome ambience.

 

In the early decades, it had only two platforms and over years, more were added, now it’s part of the Bandra Kurla Terminus, and helped the growth of the swank dusty suburb into a modern, glittering one, teeming with Bollywood,  business and other celebs, as a living testament to the city’s colonial past, architectural grandeur and community spirit.

 

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