top of page

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.

India’s Budget and the Road Ahead

Updated: Jan 29, 2025

Part 1:

As coalition politics reshapes governance and global tensions mount, India’s economy balances cautious optimism with emerging challenges in the run-up to FY 2024-25.

India’s Budget

January brings a wave of positivity and hope for everyone as the new year ushers in fresh resolutions and optimistic plans for the future. Financial planning takes centre stage during this time, both at an individual and policy level. The Central Government prepares for the upcoming Budget session of Parliament, where the General Budget is discussed and adopted, setting the economic tone for the country.


The anticipation around the budget creates excitement and expectation, as people look forward to potential benefits and improvements in various sectors. Recently, Budget Day has generated significant buzz and glamour in the media corridors. Ironically, it’s said that there is an exponential rise in the number of economists in the country around this time, which subsides within a few days. One day before the General Budget, the government tables the Economic Survey, an equally critical document that doesn't receive as much attention. The Economic Survey provides an analysis of the previous year's economic performance, including in-depth analysis of various indicators and concludes with estimates and recommendations for the upcoming year. The General Budget outlines the government’s plans for the upcoming year, including financial allocations and policy measures, and estimates the revenue and expenses of the Government of India. Fundamentally, the Economic Survey serves as the basic guideline document on which the government formulates its plans in the General Budget. It is imperative to study both documents together to gain a holistic view of the Indian economy.


Before delving into the actual numbers, it is essential to set the context. The previous two financial years saw a recovery from the pandemic shocks, with very high growth rates. FY 23-24 witnessed a GDP growth of 8.2 percent, and hence, at the advent of FY 24-25, positive sentiments were at their peak. The first quarter, being an election quarter with the model code of conduct in force, saw no major policy actions by the Government. Much to everyone’s surprise, the BJP lost its majority in the results, but the NDA together garnered the majority numbers. After ten years, the country again witnessed a coalition Government, which at this stage seems stable and strong. However, coalition governments face their own limitations, and there is a risk of delays in implementing critical reforms. The government had to change gears, and the country saw some critical bills referred to the Joint Parliamentary Committee for consideration and recommendation. Against this backdrop, the RBI projected a quarter-on-quarter average growth rate of 7.2 percent, while the Economic Survey report estimated growth within a range of 6.5 percent to 7 percent.


As discussed earlier, government spending had certain limitations, focusing only on ongoing projects, which resulted in sluggish growth. The country witnessed a GDP growth rate of 6.7 percent during Q1 of FY 24-25. Compared to previous general election quarters, it was the highest rate since Q1 FY 04-05. However, Q2 FY 25 fell short of the RBI's expectations, with a growth rate of 5.4 percent, attributed to rising prices and a sluggish increase in government capital expenditure. Corporate results for Q2 were also lacklustre, creating negative sentiments in the capital markets. Rising inflation concerns prompted the RBI to maintain policy interest rates. The RBI did aggressive intervention in the currency markets which resulted into a steady Dollar exchange rate. It was evident that due to the protectionist policy of RBI the rupee has been overvalued. Recently, the RBI has stopped active intervention, and the Rupee has started depreciating. While Q3 numbers are still awaited, it is projected that Q3 will witness a bounce back in economic activity, mainly driven by the festive season.


Globally, tensions flared as the Israel-Hamas conflict escalated, with Israel launching attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon and Iran directly confronting Israel. Despite the Middle East volatility, crude oil prices remained relatively stable, and the Russia-Ukraine war had minimal impact on India. Meanwhile, Donald Trump’s aggressive campaign for a return to power stirred global unease, promising a stronger ‘America First’ stance. Biden's tightened sanctions on Russia will disproportionately affect nations purchasing Russian crude. Combined with rising oil prices and a depreciating rupee, these factors are expected to strain India's economy in Q4, with inflation looming. The government's foreign policies, it seems, will be tested more than its economic strategies.


(The author is a Chartered Accountant and works at Authomotive Division of Mahindra and Mahindra Limited. Views personal.)

Comments

bottom of page