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...

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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.

What Role Golwalkar Played in the Integration of Kashmir

Ashok Rane
Aug 13, 2025
3 min read

What has the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) done for the country? Or what does the RSS do for the nation? What is the contribution of RSS volunteers? These questions are often raised by ignorant, secular pseudo-intellectuals or ideologues opposed to the RSS. On the occasion of Independence Day, these individuals use the media to display their so-called wisdom or flaunt their ignorance. While the nation celebrates the festival of independence, these ignorant critics indulge in slandering the RSS, making it their habitual practice.

During Independence Day, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) organizes Tiranga Yatras across the country, these secular pseudo-intellectuals raise the aforementioned questions to mock and propagate against the yatra. Although their criticism appears directed at the BJP, their real target is the RSS, the parent organization of the BJP. In reality, the RSS has always prioritized the nation’s interests. RSS volunteers have embraced the values of "Nation First" and "Service to the Nation," standing at the forefront during any crisis in the country—this is a historical fact. So why is the RSS, which strives for the nation’s welfare, targeted? This article aims to revisit the history of the RSS to shed light on its contributions.

After India gained independence, the partition brought immense pain, and the integration of 540 princely states posed a significant challenge. Under the resolute leadership of Sardar Patel, 538 princely states were integrated into India. However, the issues of Kashmir and Hyderabad remained complex. Sardar Patel took appropriate action to resolve the Hyderabad issue, successfully integrating the Nizam’s state into India. However, the question of Jammu and Kashmir remained unresolved.

At that time, Sardar Patel reached out to the RSS Sarsanghchalak, Shri Golwalkar Guruji, proposing to establish contact with Maharaja Hari Singh regarding the integration of Kashmir. Shri Golwalkar Guruji visited Kashmir and, through his initiative, facilitated the integration of the Jammu and Kashmir princely state into India. The RSS played a significant role in the integration of Jammu and Kashmir into India, with Shri Golwalkar Guruji having a lion’s share in this historic achievement.

India gained independence bearing the wounds of partition, and the newly formed Pakistan harbored intentions of annexing Kashmir, engaging in subversive activities and preparing to infiltrate its forces into the region. Maharaja Hari Singh of Kashmir initially maintained a neutral stance, refusing to join either India or Pakistan. Pakistan sought to exploit this neutrality, preparing for infiltration. The Indian government was aware of these developments, and Maharaja Hari Singh’s neutral stance caused concern. In the first week of October 1947, Pakistani forces began infiltration activities. Anticipating a possible attack, the Indian government, through Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, contacted Shri Golwalkar Guruji to discuss the potential threat. Shri Guruji planned to meet Maharaja Hari Singh.

Accordingly, on October 17, 1947, Shri Golwalkar Guruji arrived in Srinagar on a government plane, accompanied by RSS pracharak Vasantrao Oak and advocate Narendra Singh. On October 18, they reached Karnamahal, where Maharaja Hari Singh and his wife, Maharani Tara Rani, personally welcomed Shri Guruji at the palace entrance. That same day, prolonged discussions took place between Maharaja Hari Singh and Shri Guruji regarding the potential threats and the integration of Kashmir into India. Maharaja Hari Singh assured Shri Guruji that he would seriously consider his suggestions. Shri Guruji then proceeded with his journey. Five days later, on October 23, Pakistani forces infiltrated Kashmir, unleashing atrocities and attempting to seize strategic locations.

On October 27, 1947, in the presence of Jammu and Kashmir’s Prime Minister Meherchand Mahajan, Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession, officially declaring Jammu and Kashmir’s integration into India. The discussions between Maharaja Hari Singh and Shri Guruji proved decisive in ensuring Jammu and Kashmir’s integration into India, making Kashmir an inseparable part of the nation.

After the official integration of Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian government began deploying its forces to the region, but natural obstacles posed challenges. Even then, RSS volunteers worked shoulder-to-shoulder with the Indian Army, from preparing airstrips to supplying arms and ammunition. In the war imposed by Pakistan, many RSS volunteers attained martyrdom. Ultimately, Pakistan was defeated, and India emerged victorious on January 1, 1948. Thus, Shri Golwalkar Guruji played a lion’s share in integrating Jammu and Kashmir into India. Additionally, RSS volunteers contributed significantly by standing alongside the Indian Army to repel Pakistani infiltrators during the war-like situation. This is not a fabricated or false history but a true account, with evidence available in government records.

(The writer is a resident of Akola. Views personal.)