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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.

Pilgrimage, Terror, and Tourism: The Crisis of Faith in Kashmir

Cradled in the lap of the Himalayas, Kashmir- often whispered as “Paradise on Earth” is a land of beauty which seems magical. Pahalgam and Sonamarg unfurl like painted scrolls, opening valleys with the call of adventure. Mirror like waters of Dal Lake, snowflakes of Gulmarg, and nestled in silent reverence- the Amarnath Cave and Vaishno Devi Temple beckon pilgrims with hearts full of faith. Kashmir offers not just a journey, but a poem written in mountains and spiritual light. Tourism in Kashmir has long symbolized the region’s beauty and spiritual depth, but repeated militant attacks often targeting Hindu pilgrims have severely impacted public confidence. On April 22, 2025, 28 people were killed in a brutal assault in Pahalgam. Just a year earlier, in June 2024, nine Hindu pilgrims died in a bus attack in Reasi. These echoed the 2017 Amarnath Yatra attack, where eight were killed.


Tourism in Kashmir: A Shifting Landscape

The violence against Kashmiri Hindus in the 1990s and beyond has had a lasting impact on tourism in the region. Between 1990 and 1991, around 217-228 Kashmiri Hindus were brutally killed in targeted attacks, as terrorism escalated in the region. These early massacres were followed by a series of other brutal incidents, especially during the late 1990s. In 1998 alone, multiple massacres occurred in which Hindu civilians were specifically targeted: the Wandhama Massacre (23 Hindus killed), the Prankote Massacre (29 Hindus killed), the Chapnari Massacre (25 Hindus killed), and the Chamba Massacre in Himachal Pradesh (35 Hindus killed). These acts of terror were designed to intimidate and force the Hindu population out of Kashmir.


A review of terrorism-related incidents in Jammu and Kashmir from 2000 to 2025 highlights a significant decline in militant activities over the years. According to data from the South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP), incidents peaked in the early 2000s with over 2,800 cases in 2001 but steadily decreased in subsequent years. This downward trend initially fostered renewed hope for peace and boosted tourism. However, the recent spate of targeted attacks, has reignited deep public fears. In 2000, the Amarnath Pilgrimage Massacre claimed the lives of several pilgrims, further deepening the fear among visitors.


The violence continued with the 2002 Amarnath Massacre, including attacks on the Raghunath Temple. The Nadimarg Massacre of 2003 (24 Kashmiri Pandits killed), and the Doda Massacre of 2006, which saw nearly 60 Hindus murdered, continued the cycle of targeted violence and terrorism.


The Pahalgam Attack of 2025 is a recent reminder that the Hindu community in Kashmir has long been in the crosshairs of militant groups. These attacks, particularly on religious pilgrims and locals, led to the virtual collapse of tourism, as Hindus were not just victims but also the primary targets of terror for decades.


Threat not just on tourists/ pilgrims

The violence in Kashmir has not spared anyone, including the Indian Army. The military, tasked with maintaining order in the region, has become a frequent target of terror groups.


The Uri Attack (2016), where 19 Indian soldiers were killed is one of the deadliest strikes in recent history. Similarly, the Pathankot Attack (2016), and the Pulwama Attack (2019), which led to the deaths of 40 CRPF personnel, are stark reminders of the deep-rooted hostility in the region. These attacks have compounded the sense of fear and insecurity, not only for civilians but also for those in the military who are tasked with maintaining order. As a result, the valley’s already fragile tourism sector has been severely hampered, with both local and foreign visitors who now reconsider or abandon travel plans discouraged by the ongoing violence and instability. The tragic events of these decades have created a cycle of terror, where every attack not only deepens the valley's scars but also further isolates it from the outside world.


The challenges facing Kashmir’s tourism are a heavy weight the region still struggles to bear. Fear and uncertainty are constant companions. Each attack doesn’t just take lives, it takes away memories that could have been made and journeys that could have been healing. For a country rooted in Hindu heritage and identifying as a Hindu-majority nation, the repeated, religion-specific terrorist attacks are more than just acts of violence, they are targeted blows to the soul of the nation.


These attacks haven’t just spilled blood; they’ve fractured the very spirit of tourism in Kashmir, a state whose economy depends heavily on those seeking peace, pilgrimage, and beauty.


(Writer is an MA English Literature student. Views Personal)

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