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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.

From RTO officer to Rocket Science

Sujata Madke quits lucrative job to join ISRO

Thane: In a groundbreaking achievement, Sujata Ramchandra Madke, a farmer’s daughter from the small village of Shirgaon in Shahapur taluka, has become the first woman from Thane district to be appointed as a Scientist at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Bengaluru. What makes her story even more inspiring is that she voluntarily resigned from a secured government job as an Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspector at the Thane RTO to pursue her dream of contributing to India’s space program.

 

Sujata joined ISRO on May 27 as a Gazetted Scientist, marking a proud moment not just for her family but also for her district. Her journey from a humble village school to India’s premier space agency stands as a testament to perseverance, determination, and the power of dreams.

 

Born in the remote village of Shirgaon, located 15 kilometers from Shahapur in Thane district, Sujata received her early education at the local Zilla Parishad school the same school her father and grandfather attended. Her father, Ramchandra Madke, a former clerk at the Thane Zilla Parishad and part-time farmer, ensured that all four of his children received higher education despite limited resources.

 

Sujata’s academic excellence began early. She secured 94.91 per cent in her SSC board exams and 77.50 per cent in her HSC. She went on to complete her B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering from Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University, Lonere, Raigad. Later, she worked as a Research Engineer in the Ministry of Education’s Virtual Lab Project (Phase III) at IIT Kharagpur and was also selected as an Assistant Engineer at MAHAGENCO.

 

She cleared the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) examination and joined the Thane RTO as an Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspector. However, her passion for space research never faded. While working full-time at the RTO, she continued her studies late into the night, preparing rigorously for ISRO’s recruitment process. Her family still preserves the two sacks of books she used during her preparation a symbol of her relentless dedication.

 

Kalam, the inspiration

While Speaking to ‘The Perfect Voice’, Sujata said, “Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam always said, ‘Dream big, and work hard to make those dreams come true.’ His words inspired me to never settle. Leaving a stable government job was not easy, but I had to follow my calling.”

 

Her father Ramchandra Madke expressed immense pride “She was the first in our family to step outside Maharashtra for education. Watching her serve the nation through science is the proudest moment of my life.” Her mother, Savita Madke, recalled Sujata’s childhood passion for painting and science, saying, “She used to say she wanted to be a scientist when she was just a little girl. Today that dream has come true.”

 

Sujata’s elder sister Chetna Sonawane added, “She would study for 8 to 12 hours every day. Among the four siblings, Sujata was always the most focused and determined.”

 

Before being selected by ISRO, Sujata had also made it to the interview rounds of top Indian institutions such as DRDO and BARC. Her recent appointment as an ISRO scientist is not only a personal milestone but also a landmark for young women across rural Maharashtra who dream of a career in science and technology.

 

Her hardworking parents and elder sisters were her source of inspiration during this journey. While working at RTO Thane all officers of RTO motivated her for study and RTO Hemangini Patil lso supported her for studies in office.

 

Her story is a shining example of how grit, family support, and an unyielding dream can take a girl from a remote village to the stars quite literally.

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