Words flow for Raj Singh

It was a dignified, private condolence meeting of CCI members, redolent of gracious warmth and transparent sincerity.

Words flow for Raj Singh

Smiling on the scene from his Elysian heights high above, upon the beautifully manicured lawns of his beloved Brabourne Stadium, Raj Singh Dungarpur would, certainly, have approved.

In the audience was an unexpected Sachin Tendulkar (accompanied by glowing wife Anjali), having barely caught his breath from his dazzling match-winning effort in Monday's energy-sapping tri-nations victory in Sri Lanka.

Sachin Tendulkar pays tribute to Raj Singh Dungarpur at the CCI condolence meeting yesterday. pic/atul kamble

Attributing his awesome accomplishments to Raj's early care and concern when he was a callow teenager, Tendulkar suggested that the front gates of the world-famous stadium should be named after Dungarpur.

There was former Indian captain Dilip Vengsarkar, speaking glowingly of Raj Singh's contribution in shaping India's, and his own, cricketing destiny.

Now the founder of his own cricket academy, Vengsarkar spoke feelingly about Raj's tremendous influence in meticulously and painstakingly shaping India's World Cup victory in the 1983 World Cup in England.

Then there was, in the rapt audience, Prof Ratnakar Shetty, CEO of the BCCI who, while reading out tributes from the ICC, from former South African skipper Ali Bacher, award-winning Test umpire Simon Taufel and various ICC Board members, paid Dungarpur handsome tribute for his regard and solicitude for him when Raj Singh was BCCI president.

Among other enviable attributes, Shetty spoke of Raj Singh's untiring efforts in getting international cricket back to the CCI.

Former Indian skipper Nari Contractor, who almost gave his life for team and country in the West Indies in 1961-62 at a time when helmets were infra dig, spoke feelingly about Raj Singh's contribution in training, at the CCI, players, physical trainers, and other support staff from India, as well as, the UK.

Other speakers included Nandini Sardesai, widow of former batting stalwart Dilip Sardesai. Whereas she spoke of Raj Singh's qualities of head and heart and selfless contribution to the game, the others dwelt upon his setting up of cricket academies in Bangalore and elsewhere, from which the likes of Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh have emerged.

KHALIDOSCOPE believes that CCI committee members, past and present, should let bygones be bygones and join hands to perpetuate Raj Singh's memory in befitting manner by building a cricket museum.

Whereas portraits, busts and statues are obvious means of showing recognition, an innovation that now comes to mind is the setting up of a cricket museum in Raj's memory, along the lines of the one at Lord's.

Fortunately, space and FSI are no problems for the club at present.

No such cricket museum exists in India. The creation of one in Raj Singh's name would be appropriate, and appreciated by his many friends and admirers in the length and breadth of the cricket-playing world.

I must make a mention of a charming suggestion that came my way last evening from the parents of a 14-year old girl, who wondered, in her teenage naivete, why Raj Singh's ashes could not be scattered on the hallowed pitch of the Brabourne stadium, that was his home.

I immediately contacted Raj Singh's brother, Jai, on the phone in Dungarpur. His first response was encouraging and he promised to get back after consulting family members.

Should this suggestion meet with the family's approval, I do believe this suggestion deserves consideration by the club's committee.

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