Updated On: 25 March, 2010 06:43 AM IST | | Khalid A-H Ansari
The unveiling of Raj Singh Dungarpur's portrait at the CCI yesterday is a classic case of too little, too late
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The unveiling of Raj Singh Dungarpur's portrait at the CCI yesterday is a classic case of too little, too late
Dungarpur passed away about six months ago and it is only now that the club has thought it fit to perpetuate his memory with what, to my mind, is a token gesture.
On the one hand, full marks to CCI executive committee members, who have sunk their differences and, despite the pathological hatred for Dungarpur among some club heavyweights, honoured a luminary, whose services to the club and, more importantly, to Indian cricket, are legendary.
That said, I cannot but help feel that this is a half-hearted recognition of the colossal services of the late president of the CCI, which is what it is today in terms of functioning and prestige in India and abroad only because of Raj Singh Dungarpur.
I wish Dungarpur's antagonists, who are in an overwhelming minority, would have the spunk to stand up and be counted.
I would be the first to respect them and espouse their cause if they were to convince me that the majority of the club's membership is opposed to the honour being bestowed on the past president because of malfeasance and other unsubstantiated charges.
These are allegations which remain unproven and, despite which, ousted president Dungarpur staged an overwhelming comeback. Surely the CCI membership is not as asinine as we are made to believe!
Sachin's suggestion
At the condolence meeting for Raj Singh at the Brabourne Stadium soon after his death, Sachin Tendulkar made the eminently far-sighted suggestion that the Club's front gate be named after the deceased president, in manner akin to the Grace Gate at Lord's, named after WG Grace, the game's illustrious 'father'.
Dungarpur passed away about six months ago and it is only now that the club has thought it fit to perpetuate his memory with what, to my mind, is a token gesture.On the one hand, full marks to CCI executive committee members, who have sunk their differences and, despite the pathological hatred for Dungarpur among some club heavyweights, honoured a luminary, whose services to the club and, more importantly, to Indian cricket, are legendary.
That said, I cannot but help feel that this is a half-hearted recognition of the colossal services of the late president of the CCI, which is what it is today in terms of functioning and prestige in India and abroad only because of Raj Singh Dungarpur.
I wish Dungarpur's antagonists, who are in an overwhelming minority, would have the spunk to stand up and be counted.
I would be the first to respect them and espouse their cause if they were to convince me that the majority of the club's membership is opposed to the honour being bestowed on the past president because of malfeasance and other unsubstantiated charges.
These are allegations which remain unproven and, despite which, ousted president Dungarpur staged an overwhelming comeback. Surely the CCI membership is not as asinine as we are made to believe!
Sachin's suggestion
At the condolence meeting for Raj Singh at the Brabourne Stadium soon after his death, Sachin Tendulkar made the eminently far-sighted suggestion that the Club's front gate be named after the deceased president, in manner akin to the Grace Gate at Lord's, named after WG Grace, the game's illustrious 'father'.
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Sachin Tendulkar stands besides a portrait of late Cricket Club of India president Raj Singh Dungarpur at the CCI yesterday. Pic/Shadab Khan Read Next Story Trending StoriesLatest Photos |
