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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.

Vata Savitri Vrat – A Tradition, a Legacy

Savitri’s strength, Satyavan’s life: A timeless reminder that unwavering love and faith can challenge even fate—and bring a soul back from death.

Vata Savitri Vrat will be observed this year on June 10. It is a significant Hindu festival where married women pray for their husbands’ long life and well-being. The Vrat holds deep cultural and spiritual importance across India. The date of observance varies by region, celebrated on Amavasya in Northern India and, on Purnima in Jyestha in Maharashtra. Let’s explore the deeper meaning behind this sacred tradition.


This Vrat centres around Princess Savitri, the daughter of King Ashvapati. She falls in love with Satyavan and marries him, despite knowing he is destined to die a year after their wedding. One day, while in the forest, Satyavan dies as foretold, breathing his last in Savitri’s lap. Yama, the god of death, arrives to claim his soul. Refusing to accept fate’s decree, Savitri pleads with Yama not to take her husband away. Moved by her devotion, Yama grants her three boons, with the condition that she must not ask for Satyavan’s life. With great wisdom, Savitri asks for 100 children by Satyavan. So impressed is Yama that he offers her another boon without condition, and Savitri then asks for her husband’s life.


Rituals and benefits

On this auspicious day, women rise early and bathe, a ritual believed to purify both the body and mind. They dress in colourful attire, wear bright bangles, and apply vermilion to the forehead. A single banyan leaf is worn in the hair. Offerings of water, rice, and flowers are made to the banyan tree, along with a sprinkling of vermilion, and cotton threads are tied around its trunk. Nine types of fruit—such as wet pulses, rice, mangoes, jackfruit, palm fruit, kendu, bananas, and others—are offered to Goddess Savitri as bhog, after which the day is observed through fasting and reciting the katha. Women circumambulate the banyan tree seven times, praying to be reunited with their husbands in the next life as well. After completing the Vrat, they partake of the bhog and seek blessings from their husbands and elders. It is believed that this festival brings good fortune and ensures a harmonious, blessed married life. Vata Savitri Vrat is a symbol of dedication and commitment to marital life.


Significance of Vata Savitri Vrat

The Banyan tree holds deep spiritual importance, symbolising the three supreme deities of Hinduism—Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. This Vrat is believed to bring prosperity and good fortune while also blessing husbands with long life, as Savitri’s devotion and purity brought Satyavan back from the brink of death.


The tale of Savitri and Satyavan reflects the deep bond between husband and wife, capturing the true essence of marital commitment and love.


What a beautiful tradition—where a wife prays for her husband’s long life. This Vrat carries deep cultural and emotional meaning, passed down through generations. It is a heartfelt expression of love, faith, and respect, showcasing the strength of a woman’s devotion and perseverance.


A woman knows her husband is the pillar of the family. With Father's Day approaching on 15th June, it’s also a time to acknowledge the vital role fathers play. Like mothers, fathers make countless sacrifices and offer guidance that profoundly shapes their children’s lives. Their love, support, and generosity leave lasting imprints on their sons and daughters. As role models, protectors, and sources of strength, their presence deserves recognition. Women honour this too—and it’s one reason, beyond tradition, that they fast and pray for their husband’s well-being.


And what does she hope for in return?

She wants her partner to truly value her by recognising her sacrifices, appreciating her efforts, and placing her at the centre of his life. She longs for emotional connection, trust in her judgment, and unwavering support. Celebrating her achievements, both big and small, uplifts her spirit and strengthens the bond they share. Through such gestures, a man can express his love, building a deeper, more fulfilling partnership.


What a legacy our ancestors have left, rich in tradition, yet relevant even today! Women continue to celebrate this with zeal and grace.


Empowerment does not mean rejecting tradition. True empowerment lies in walking alongside one another with mutual respect. A woman embodies womanhood like no other, and only she can express it so completely.


What a meaningful balance of tradition and modern relevance—when a woman fasts and prays for her husband's long life, and the man, in turn, acknowledges her love, dedication, and strength.


Wishing you all a joyful Vata Savitri Vrat and a heartfelt Father’s Day.


Celebrate with sincerity, and divine blessings will surely follow.


Stay blessed.


(The writer is an educator based in Thane.)

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