Today is the birth centenary of the first Bengali Test cricketer: Probir Kumar  Sen (Khokon)    1926 - 1970

Today if one walks into the CAB club house at Eden Gardens, one would come across a wall in the central lounge where a list of Test players from Bengal appears. The list begins with a glaring error. The first name itself is wrong! Just goes to show how much of pride and interest we have in our own selves! Of course, there are a whole lot of other wrong names in that list, as well.

Over the last 15 years the list with the embarrassing errors has stayed on despite repeated requests to alter. No CAB president has shown any interest in having the list rectified. Complete ignorance?  Or, sheer indifference?

Unfortunately even an erudite man like Sunil Gavaskar fell into the trap and once commented in his television broadcast that the first Bengali Test player was Shute Banerjee! Sunil of course was relying on the piece of information available to him in the official site of CAB. Shute Banerjee’s name is prominently displayed on the CAB lounge to mislead the whole world.

Shute Banerjee was representing Bihar when he made his Test debut for India in 1948-49 at Bombay in the 5^th and final Test of the series.

The first Bengali player to play for India was not Shute Banerjee , but Probir Kumar Sen, popularly known as Khokon. In 1947-48 he went with skipper Lala Amarnath’s team to Australia as the second wicket-keeper to Jamshed Irani. But after two Tests the team management realized that they had made a blunder by omitting Sen from the first XI.

Just out of teens, Khokon Sen brought about a radical change in the ethos of Indian cricketers. Joking, chatting, playing pranks, the vivacious youngster injected some fresh air in the claustrophobic ambience of Indian cricket. He was not a rebel in the conventional sense. He was not fighting for any cause. He was just himself: extrovert, entertainer, energy personified.

Perpetually on the move, he seemed to be. Came into national reckoning by his superlative talents. He had no Dutta Ray or Dalmiya to plead for him. He was an independent individual who cared little about what others felt about him. Not a respecter of persons or things, he maintained his originality in every step of his. He did not join groups, nor did he fall for any ‘carrots’ dangled. He maintained his composure, come rain, hail or sunshine.

Khokon Sen’s career was a massive mass of misunderstanding. People enjoyed his company but ridiculed him behind his back. He was always thought to be pompous because of his very close rapport with royalty. Actually he was an extrovert with the softest of souls. Just as he was close to the maharajas so was he to the masseur, particularly Jeevanlal Pal.

The Maharaja of Cooch Behar, Jagaddipendra Narayan Bhup Bahadur, who was very popular as ‘Bhaya’, was an elder brother to Khokonda. They were very thick friends on and off the field. Bhaya captained Bengal in the Ranji Trophy in the 1940s while Probir Sen took over in the following decade.

Khokonda’s hearty laughter was as appealing as his big heart. Hailing from a wealthy family, the generous persona loved having people around him to relax and regale. With Bhaya, he would be seen at social clubs, palaces, angling expeditions and shikaars. He enjoyed the best of liquor and was voracious with Continental cuisine, particularly crabs and prawns, but made no effort to feel defensive about either.

Unfortunately his gregarious nature, his easy laughter, his practical jokes were thought to be of a man yet to mature. His Bengal team mates which included Nirmal Chatterjee (Bengal’s best-ever all-round sportsman) and Badal Dutt (Bengal captain and Cambridge University Blue) as well as the Test cricketer Montu Banerjee loved and adored him. Even the great Indian contemporaries like Vinoo Mankad, Vijay Hazare and Polly Umrigar found him to be excellent company. The fashionable man would wear Barkat Ali suits with felt hats tilted stylishly. Those were the days…

Sen, barely 20 at the time, began at Melbourne and was an instant success with his wicket-keeping. Brilliantly acrobatic, he was an extrovert character who just could not keep quiet. He would chatter constantly from behind the wicket with the fieldsmen and the bowlers. He would liven up a dreary, boring afternoon on the field with his incessant fund of stories.

His exceptional wicket-keeping ability came into focus during the War years when first-class cricket continued in India. He made his Ranji Trophy debut for Bengal in 1943-44 and received high acclaim from all quarters. Born in 1926 at Comilla         (now in Bangladesh), Khokon Sen showed exceptional promise as an all-round sportsman from his school days.

His contemporaries found the young man –full of humour and highly pro-active – a delight. His child-like simplicity attracted attention. He was full of pranks even in State-level matches. He was always doing the unexpected. Not an ‘opener’, he once opened the innings and got a century in Ranji Trophy.

If this was not enough, once he took off his gloves and began to bowl. The umpire asked, “Over-the-wicket? Or, round?” The instant answer was, “Sir, from beside the wicket, if you do not mind.” Believe it or not, he actually has a hat-trick in Ranji Trophy. Wonder if this is a world record for a wicket-keeper.

It is said that Bill Ferguson, the famous scorer, once told Sen that he reminded him of the England wicket-keeper George Duckworth who also had the habit of constant chatter. Sen turned round and told him, “I don’t just talk and talk. I guide. I give encouragement.” And then in his typical camaraderie embraced Ferguson and went for a round of beer. No wonder the Indians were very popular as tourists those days.

Sen had a very happy tour on and off the field in Australia. On a disastrous tour, apart from Hazare, Mankad and to an extent Dattu Phadkar, the youngest member Sen was an outstanding success. Being a superb social-mixer, he became the toast of the evenings when the Indians would spend a lot of time with Don Bradman for advice. In the match against South Australia he flashed off Bradman’s bails with lightning speed on the very difficult leg side. Bradman, true to his character, was full of praise for young stumper’s speed, anticipation and agility.

On that tour of Australia, every Indian cricketer was offered the scope to say two sentences over the long-distance phone that had just been introduced between India and Australia. Almost all the players said that they were fine except, of course, the one and only Khokon Sen. When his turn came, the 20-year old Khokon shouted, “Dadu, send money. Nothing left!” That was typical of him: no other message worthy enough! He endeared himself to all those who played with and against him.

Sen played for India against West Indies at home in 1948-49 then went to England in 1952 as well as was a regular in the national team at the time. Although a regular member the opportunities were sadly limited to only 14 Tests.

The highpoint of his career was the victory at Madras in 1951-52. Skipper Vijay Hazare’s team defeated Nigel Howard’s MCC very convincingly with Roy and Umrigar getting hundreds and Vinoo Mankad capturing 12 wickets. They were the prime architects of the victory.

But one man made headlines from an unusual position. That was Khokon Sen. He had a hand in 5 stumpings. This was exemplary wicket-keeping no doubt but what was more appealing was the man’s stage-craft. One moment he would be throwing the ball up and juggling with it. Next moment he would start to roll on the ground to the cheers of the crowd. And in the very next instant he would be running around the pitch with the ball in hand like a goal-scorer in football. Sen captivated the audience and the media lapped it up. He was indeed a born showman.

I met him just once. Was the year 1970? I distinctly remember the date 26^th January for many reasons than the obvious one. I was a member of the Mohun Bagan team which went to Kalighat Club ground to play an exhibition match. Our captain was the mercurial Chuni Goswami.

Just prior to the match, our dressing room vibrated with the laughter of a diminutive, stocky man of around 45. Unmistakably Khokon Sen. He was cracking jokes with Chunida, Shyamuda and my elder brother Deb when his eyes fell on me. “Who’s this?” he furrowed his eyebrows. Someone mentioned, “Deb’s younger brother.”  “Deb’s brother?” he fumed, “Unshaven? You must try to look like a cricketer.”

Like most precocious college youth, I had little respect for persons who had no time for me. I coolly uttered, “Sir, have you not heard of WG Grace?” There was pin-drop silence. Stunned, Khokonda instantly recovered, smiled, put his hand on my shoulder, “Son, why hide your handsome face with a beard?” I forced a smile in return. As Khokonda left our room, my brother was furious with me for my silly response.

Little did we realize that the famous man had come to take an active part in that ‘friendly’ fixture. He had come in cream flannels and had his India blazer on. He was well past his prime and had not played at all for over a decade. Why did he decide to play that particular match will forever be a question that would go unanswered.

Next afternoon we heard that Khokonda was no more. After the match he had some spurious rum that burnt his gullet. What a dreadful death for a cheerful man. I happened to be his last victim as a wicket-keeper. He held my ‘edge’ – a simple, straight forward catch – and then leaned to his right, allowed the body to fall gently and roll over in front of second slip! For ever a showman. A lovable gentleman. A wonderful human being.

I have the highest regard for him because he was a true sportsman: modest, humourous, determined, chivalrous and highly talented. Khokonda was incapable of hurting anyone. A man who had given endless hours of mirth to all around him.

His approach to life revolutionized cricket in India to a great extent. It is not commonly realized that this man of wit was a messenger of life-style. He was like Charlie Chaplin the immortal of the film world: humour laced with message. To bring about changes he did not fight with anyone. Through his child-like simplicity he made others realize their folly. Back-stabbing, conspiracies, groupism, loose-talk, parochialism, etcetera which had inundated Indian cricket at the time gradually became severely restricted.

 He brought about a silent revolution in Indian cricket with his characteristic sense of humour. He was not a rebel with a whole lot of causes. His rebellion was one of approach. Through personal example, he planted the idea of enjoyment among Indian players: sport was meant to be enjoyed; sport was for providing entertainment to others; sport was a delightful means to camaraderie; sport was life to be lived.

The charming rebel of Indian cricket left us at 45, much too early. It is said… those whom the gods love, leave young…

 

 

 

India’s first double-international sportsman

It was truly Dickensian: the best of times; the worst of times. Morappakam Joysam Gopalan was in a dilemma. He was needed by the Indian hockey team for the Berlin Olympic Games; he was also required by the Indian cricket team in the English summer of 1936.

 

The man from Chennai had excelled in both his chosen sports. In 1932-33 Gopalan made his official Test debut for India at Eden Gardens against Douglas Jardine's side. In 1934-35 Gopalan had shown outstanding merit with the all-conquering Dhyan Chand’s Indian hockey team in New Zealand. He happened to be India’s first double-international sports personality.

 

 And within a year in 1935-36 he had Jack Ryder's Australians in no end of trouble with figures of 6 for 23 and 5 for 62 for the Madras Presidency team.

 

The right-arm pace bowler had a difficult choice ahead of him because the tours to Germany and England coincided. He had to opt for either one of the two. His choice fell on cricket. On post-mortem it appears to be a strange decision indeed considering the merits of the two teams.

 

The defending Olympic hockey champions, Dhyan Chand’s India were the favourites to retain the gold medal in the Berlin Olympics of 1936. And in England with the cricket team he would only be a second fiddle to the magnificent duo of Mohammed Nissar and Amar Singh Ladha.

 

 But cricket was probably his first love and off he went to England with Vizzy’s Indians. It must also be admitted that the India hockey team for the Berlin Olympic Games was yet to be chosen when the India team for the cricket tour to UK was announced. Gopalan obviously settled for the certainty – as everyone would do – rather than wait for the final selection of the hockey squad.

 

The Dickensian twist to the tale unfolded in a matter of months. Whereas Dhyan Chand's men returned with gold medals around their necks, Vizzy's band of segregated groups showed the world to what depths petty-minded Indian sportsmen could stoop. On such a slender thread hangs one’s destiny.

 

 Gopalan did not get to play a single Test match in UK and got very few opportunities. He and the other in-form fast bowler Shute Banerjee even witnessed how one fast bowler (Baqa Jilani) played a Test (at Oval) because he abused another player (CK Nayudu) as directed by the captain (Vizzy)!

 

The man who deserved an Olympic gold medal round his neck, was cold shouldered by petty people engrossed in intrigues and worse. Just sad destiny, what else?

 

However, by then, Gopalan had already printed his name in gold in the annals of Indian sport by becoming the country's first double-international sportsperson.

 

 In 1961 MJ Gopalan was awarded the Padma Shri. He left us in 2003 fully deserving the awards and recognition that came his way. A wonderful person he was, who earned overwhelming respect both on and off the field. Let us wish that we have more and more such wonderful sportspeople among us.

 

 

Mohun Bagan: a national heritage

Tutu Bose is no more. There will never be another Tutu Bose. He was what one would call ‘The last of the Mohicans’: the magnanimous men who generously donated for the benefit of the club just out of sheer love for the organization. These patrons of sport never expected anything in return. They devoted not only money but time, attention and most importantly, love.

There was a time when maharajas like Patiala, Cooch Behar, Natore, Santosh among others lavishly donated funds for sport and music in India. They were patrons who expected just nothing in return.

Today of course the concept has totally altered. The men who come forward with funds come as sponsors who expect posts, publicity and more. The days of anonymous patronage have gone forever with the demise of our very dear Tutu Bose. If he is ever reborn, God will surely bring him back to guard the citadel of Mohun Bagan, his eternal love.

For more than 4 decades Swapan Sadhan Bose was at the helm of an institution that has millions of followers around the globe. His administration was based on passionate love for the institution and its supporters. He did not distinguish between members and fan-followers. For him Mohun Bagan was the ultimate family and every supporter deserved his unstinted love and respect.

 He expanded his family business beyond limits. He diversified his commercial commitments. He travelled far and wide. But no matter whatever he did or wherever he was, his heart was always with Mohun Bagan AC. He carried his MP status without any outward showmanship. He never would highlight the eulogies and awards that came his way. His was a soul that devoted itself to others.

Never a harsh word escaped from his uniquely husky voice. Up against obstructions, his witty remarks decided issues in his favour. Never used the club’s famous name for his own selfish benefit. Never, never. On the contrary whenever the club faced the slightest of problems, it was Tutu Bose (1947-2026) who could be relied upon to solve the matter in his own large-hearted manner. Love was the word he spread in his administrative capacity. He was the most deserving recipient of Mohun Bagan Ratna last summer. My admiration for him is pure and eternal.

A glimpse of the club’s history may be of interest to my readers.

About 20 teenagers, all college-going boys in the Shyambazar area of north Calcutta began to use the exquisitely maintained garden-lawn of Kirti Mitter as their play-field. They played ball games, particularly football. All were residents of prominent neighbourhood families.

The playing-methods of these keen youngsters were rustic and the approach rather disorganized. But the boys were highly enthusiastic and vigorously energetic. Their enthusiasm rubbed off on their elders, who got together and decided to start a club where the game would be played in proper manner and atmosphere.

Thus began an organization which was to leave a landmark in the nationalist movement for India’s independence. In 1889 the early pioneers were the influential families of Mitters, Sens and Boses in the vicinity of Shyambazar in north Calcutta. The club was named Mohun Bagan Sporting Club.

Unusual perhaps, the new club unanimously took the name of the venue for itself. The residence of Kirti Mitter was called Mohun Bagan Villa, in deference to the mind-blowing beauty of its adjacent garden-lawn. Mohunbagan (mon-matano bagan) means mind-blowing garden in Bengali. The manicured lawn and the shaded trees gave it an ethereal appearance.

Initially only college students with permission of their guardians were admitted as members of the club. Discipline in manner and speech in every walk of life was the primary priority. Slightest of misdemeanor would compel immediate expulsion. A healthy environment was the basic foundation of the founding-fathers.

The first president was Bhupendra Nath Basu and the first secretary was Jatindra Nath Basu. The first football captain was Monilal Sen. Sen was an outstanding cricketer as well and the unanimous choice as captain. The handsome scholarly man was the ideal leader.

The 1^st anniversary of the club was on 15^th August 1890. As most of the playing members were students of the famous Presidency College, a very popular professor of the college at the time Prof FJ Rowe was invited to be the chief guest.

The erudite Prof Rowe suggested that since the club intends participating in vigorously-mobile outdoor sporting activities (as opposed to shooting, angling, indoor sports, etc.), a most appropriate nomenclature change would be ‘Athletic’ instead of ‘Sporting’. Instantly the open-minded club administrators understood the difference and accepted the excellent proposal. Thus the new and permanent name became Mohun Bagan Athletic Club. The new nomenclature still stands supreme.

***

The Mitter’s family residence – the sprawling villa famous in the locality as Mohun Bagan Villa – was surrounded by four roads on each side. On the north was Faria Pukur Street (now renamed Shibdas Bhaduri Street). On the south the narrow road is still known as Mohun Bagan Lane, as it was then. On the east was the Upper Circular Road (now Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray Road). On the west, another narrow lane is now named Kirti Mitter Lane after the Mitter family patriarch.

The early pioneers gave a lot of thought to the choice of the club logo and club colours. Men of rare wisdom they certainly were. Nevertheless I still wonder if they were aware that they were laying the foundation architecture of a heritage institution.

Even today the club colours remain as those originally were: Maroon for courage, strength and leadership. White for peace, purity and truthfulness; and Bottle Green for confidence, stability and harmony.

The logo too reveals exemplary diligence in its conception. It highlights: river and sky to depict nature; boat with sail fluttering to reveal growth and progress by using nature; and sculler or sailor with oar to show earnest human effort.

After the initial dribbles and dodges at Mohun Bagan Villa, the venue changed a few times around north Calcutta for lack of adequate space. Finally the club arrived at the Calcutta maidan in 1900.

The first venue at the maidan was an arrangement with Presidency College to share its ground (now Ashutosh College-Bangabashi College ground). Prof FJ Rowe was certainly the major influence. Mohun Athletic Club was here from 1900 to 1915.

***

In 1900 a former army man Shailendra Nath Bose became the secretary. He was very strict and very affectionate at the same time. For 14 long and successful years he remained the rock of resilience. A marvellous tradition of benevolent dictatorship began that is thankfully still prevalent. He was the secretary when the club’s monumental feat of defeating East Yorks Regiment in the IFA shield final of 1911.

This victory of native Indians over the colonial masters sent a message of “WE CAN” all over India. The victory over the white man on the football field sent the morale of our brave revolutionaries sky high. The nationalist movement gained ground around the country.

Important to note that the historic IFA Shield victory of 1911 was achieved while Mohun Bagan AC was sharing this ground with Presidency College. The immortal members of the team deserve special mention: Shibdas Bhaduri (captain), Bijoydas Bhaduri, Hiralal Mukherjee, Manmohun Mukherjee, Sudhir Chatterjee, Sukul, Kanu Roy, Habul Sarkar, Rajen Sengupta, Nilmadhav Bhattacharya and Abhilash Ghosh.

From 1915 to 1963 Mohun Bagan was at the ground beside the Fort William. The ground was shared with another famous club, East Bengal. The MAC tent was on the southern side (near the Fort William) and EBC tent was on the northern side.

In 1964 Mohun Bagan AC shifted to its present premises at Calcutta Cricket & Football Club (then CFC ground) and celebrated its platinum jubilee (1889-1964) in a magnificent manner. Great sports personalities graced the occasion with splendid display of their sporting skills. Over the past 137 years the sporting glories of the club – football, cricket, hockey, tennis and athletics – are far too many to be mentioned in these columns.

Among the numerous anecdotes relating to the glorious heritage of the club, one particular incident stands out. This incident was related to many people including distinguished researcher-author Santipriyo Bandyopadhyay by one of the legendary players, Sudhir Chatterjee. Chatterjee was the only Christian in the legendary Mohun Bagan XI and the only one to play with boots on. Later he became a renowned reverend pastor in the Catholic Church.

After the 1911 IFA Shield victory as the players were walking back to their ‘home’ ground tent on the maidan from the Calcutta Football Club ground, one elderly sannyasin, pointing towards the Union Jack fluttering over Fort William – a symbol of British domination –  said to the players, “You have brought down one flag today. When will you bring down that flag?”

One by-stander cried out, “The day when Mohun Bagan wins the trophy next.”  Incredibly, MAC’s next IFA Shield championship victory was in 1947!

Not for no reason is Mohun Bagan Athletic Club rated as The National Club of India.

I can only add that Mohun Bagan has been my teacher, benefactor and inspiration all rolled into one. I am truly blessed.

 

Syama Prasad Mookerjee: Selfless, Patriotic, Visionary

Did he have any interest in sport? He did. Never wrote on sport but the visionary in him made a startling observation on cricket. I heard from my paternal grandfather Amulya Ratan Mukherji, “As early as 1930s Syama confided in us that the inter-community cricket tournaments fuel friction and divisive tendencies and so should be stopped immediately.” Later with MK Gandhi’s intervention the Pentangular inter-community cricket tournament was stopped in the mid-1940s. But rather too late:  by then the partition was a mere formality.

Thankfully the inter-community cricket tournament was banned and the inter-State Ranji Trophy championship became the most prominent cricket championship in the country.

Syama Prasad’s family members never used his name for personal glory unlike the family members of his political adversaries. Syama Prasad himself never took advantage of his father’s name and credentials. The Mookerjees of Sir Asutosh’s family were at the helm of their respective professions through individual merit. My paternal grandfather was his distant cousin. ARM was 5 years senior to SPM and was very close to his elder brother Rama Prasad, a legal luminary, who was of Dadu’s age.

First-class first in graduation. Repeat first-class first in post-graduation. Vice-chancellor of Calcutta University at 33. Forget politicians, wonder how many exceptional scholars anywhere in the world have achieved such exalted academic status so early in life.

Law studies at Calcutta followed by qualifying for the Bar in UK courts. But law was not his main interest. He went abroad primarily to study the functioning of academic education in UK. Although a die-hard patriot, Syama Prasad Mookerjee had the vision to realize that to succeed in the international arena Indians must be exposed to western education, particularly in technology, science and research.

This approach was unique indeed. Most wealthy Indians would go abroad for higher studies to further their own careers. But young Syama was different. He wanted the best of western education to be made available to all keen Indians here in India. This all-inclusive approach makes him an extraordinary personality.

Syama Prasad’s selfless attitude was the principal difference between him and all his adversaries in the Indian political scenario. Syama was stunned by the self-centred nature of political parties of various hues in the sub-continent. Unity was the last issue they had in mind in resistance to the ruling colonial power. Communal ideas, ‘class’ prejudice and provincial bias seemed to be their main concern. He decided that he would get into politics and fight the problems from within the political domain.

He was quick to realize that the colonial power was determined to drive a wedge between the two most prominent communities. He made desperate attempts to make the prominent leaders of all factions in the Indian political scenario to see reason: We must all unite and not let our country be partitioned. But our leaders had different agendas. So ambitious were they that they could not see beyond themselves. For our leaders the appeasement to one particular community overshadowed all reasonable arguments.

 In 1942 the Bengal Famine – artificially created by the colonial power – made SPM dive into social service on a scale rarely seen in India. He came under the influence of Swami Pranavananda, whose Bharat Sevashram Sangha devoted time and attention to the millions of refugees who came to the western part of Bengal to escape the tyranny unleashed on them.

Despite his best and tireless efforts, when Syama found that the partition of India was almost confirmed and that the whole of Bengal would become a part of the new nation of Pakistan, he was at his eloquent and energetic best. Full of logic and analysis he showed the Brits as well as the major political parties that if Bengal would have to be divided then the Hindu-dominated parts of Bengal should have their rightful due. Reluctantly, all the others had to agree that his points were absolutely to the point. Thus Bengal was truncated into West Bengal and East Pakistan.

Without the magnificent presence of Syama Prasad Mookerjee there would have been no State of Bengal on the India map. According to his biographers Anirban Ganguly and Avadhesh Kumar Singh, “It was his forceful leadership and intervention that saved a part of Bengal and the historic and strategically important city of Calcutta from going to the Muslim League-ruled Pakistan. This was arguably the greatest achievement of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee’ life.”

Without him there would not have been West Bengal at all. Syama Prasad’s Bengal was not only for Hindus: it was open to all religions as well as atheists and agnostics. It was not only for the Bengali-speaking population: it welcomed all those who wished to make Bengal their home. This was the vital contribution of this exemplary visionary. I know because my Maharashtrian in-laws while fleeing from riot-torn Lahore, settled down at Calcutta most willingly. Thank God they did!

In the late 1930s Syama Prasad Mookerjee joined Hindu Mahasabha because they were  fighting for the majority of the population in the country. It was obviously not Syama’s fault that the majority of the population in the sub-continent was of Hindu faith and that the land was known as Hindusthan. The Hindu majority population desperately needed a leader and Syama Prasad was the unanimous answer.

Patriots as diverse as Veer Savarkar and Mohandas Gandhi welcomed his presence at Hindu Mahasabha. By 1948 he resigned on a point of principle and formed his own political party Bharatiya Jan Sangh, the forerunner to the BJP. His personal secretary Atal Bihari Vajpayee always admitted that he learnt political etiquette, ideology and administration at the feet of his guru, Syama Prasad.

My Dadu always maintained, “Syama would never say ‘Jan Sangh’. His booming voice would always say with pride ‘Bharatiya Jan Sangh’. He was that kind of a perfectionist. For him the word BHARATIYA symbolized national unity. Great soul.”

Initially in 1947 he was a vital part of independent India’s first cabinet and was given the most important ministry of industries and supplies. In 1952 as a member of his own party – Bharatiya Jan Sangh – he was in the cabinet, again with the industry portfolio. Almost overnight corporations like Hindusthan Aeronautics Ltd, Damodar Valley Corporation, Chittaranjan Locomotive Works, Sindhri Fertilizer Plant, among numerous others, came up. In just two years he concentrated on both private and public sectors and gave India the much needed industrial infrastructure for self-sufficiency that the nation required at the time.

Here it may be of interest to know that Syama did not study at the prominent missionary schools of Calcutta. He preferred the Bengali-medium Mitra Institution, which was close to his family residence at Bhabanipur. His major subject in Presidency College and Calcutta University would surprise every reader. It was, believe it or not, Bengali. Yes, Bengali. Amazing love and respect for the motherland by an academic topper.

In 1953 his gruesome death in Srinagar at just 52 is too well documented for further elaboration. Suffice is to mention that he went into Kashmir (an Indian territory), was jailed in solitary confinement (without medication) and finally God took him away. No enquiry was ever conducted!

Syama’s mother’s fervent request to the then PM for a proper enquiry was not attended to. A cabinet minister died under mysterious circumstances and no enquiry was held!

Syama Prasad’s fault was his rational, unbiased ideology:  India is One Nation, no individual State should receive favoured treatment; and that a common civil code should exist for all Indians of whatever faith.

That’s Syama Prasad Mookerjee in a nut-shell: “Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high… “

 

Shute Banerjee and Nawanagar

The Nawanagar State team played in the Ranji Trophy championship in the 1930s and 1940s. In Nawanagar’s first venture into the national championship, they won the coveted Ranji Trophy at Bombay’s Brabourne Stadium in 1936-37 defeating Bengal in the final. They had a strong outfit with Amar Singh supported by the highly talented youngster Vinoo Mankad.

However, Nawanagar resorted to a highly unethical practice in the recruitment of the India all-rounder Shute (pronounced Shutay) Banerjee. Banerjee had gone to Bombay with the Bengal team, his home State, to play against Nawanagar in the Ranji Trophy final. As the premier all-rounder, he was having a highly successful season for Bengal.

 On the eve of the match, the Nawanagar State offered Shute Banerjee a job with the condition that he had to join their service from the next morning itself, which happened to be the first day of the Ranji Trophy final! The offer was couched in such a manner that Banerjee would not be able to play against Nawanagar.

 Unemployed Banerjee was in a quandary. He had little option. He opted for the security of a job thereby rendering himself ineligible for the final against Nawanagar. Thus Bengal was deprived of their main player and Nawanagar went on to win the Ranji Trophy with comparative ease.

Those days the eligibility rules of BCCI were highly elastic and inevitably some petty-minded, influential people like the Nawanagar royalty took advantage of the situation.

Shute Banerjee had a strange career even by the strange standards of selection of India teams in the 1930s and 1940s. The tall and broad shouldered Shute was a genuine fast bowler, ranked just beneath Mohammed Nissar and Ladla Ramji for sheer pace at the time.

In 1936 the young fast bowler toured England with Vizzy’s team. Mohammed Nissar of blitzkrieg pace and Amar Singh of crafty brilliance were the automatic choices in the first XI. But when Jahangir Khan played in all 3 Tests bowling 55 overs without a single wicket, one could make out that considerations apart from cricket skills and form were being given prominence.

As if this was not enough, Mohammed Baqa Jilani was played in the final test at the Oval. Jilani had done precious little on tour in comparison to the highly talented Banerjee. That Jilani abused CK Nayudu under captain Vizzy’s orders to get selected in the Oval Test team is another story, another time!

Back home Shute continued playing for India in the unofficial tests with success, even as an opening batsman! In 1946 again toured England with Iftiqar Ali Khan Pataudi’s team. His pace had come down considerably but the intelligent bowler used the seam to good effect on the grassy conditions in England.

This time in 1946 he even created a world record as a batsman! Both Chandu Sarwate and Shute Banerjee, batting at numbers 10 and 11, scored centuries against a strong Surrey side. But the official Test debut still eluded Shute.

In 1948-49 the West Indies came to India. In the 5^th and last Test match at Brabourne Stadium, India took the field with Saradindu Nath ‘Shute’ Banerjee in the playing XI for the first time in an official Test. Now at 36, the fast bowler was well past his prime and no one expected much from him.

However the ‘old man’ came with his bag full of cunning. He took 5 wickets and nearly helped India to win the Test against all odds. India had to score just 6 more runs when stumps were drawn. Ironically the man who brought India to the threshold of a great victory was never selected to play for India again!

His debut and his swan-song coincided. Before bidding his final adieu, by capturing 5 wickets and bringing India to the door step of a great victory, Shute Banerjee proved to the world how unjustly he was handled over the years.

He was the coach cum manager of the East Zone team in 1973-74. Once when I asked him about the injustice that he had to face in his cricket career, he gave a hearty laugh and said, “Results were not in my hands. Concentrated only on effort.” Only a strong devotee of Swami Vivekananda can say this in such a relaxed manner. A genuine Karma-yogi, it was my privilege to meet and admire.

After serving Nawanagar, he went to Bihar and led them till he retired in 1958 at 47! He happens to be the first-ever cricketer to play Test cricket from Bihar, and not from Bengal as CAB wants you too believe!

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Prof who transformed Indian cricket administration

 Chemistry was his forte. Cricket was his passion. It was his chemistry with the cricket that mattered most to him. He was in his elements with cricket activities, first at the college level, then with MumbaiCA and finally experimented at India’s premier cricket lab, the BCCI. Thank God, Indian cricket found him.

 He was the catalyst as well as the initiator of schemes that transformed Indian cricket administration into a highly professional organization: coaching camps, pension schemes, talent spotters, match referees, computerization, semi-urban venues, north-east teams, match fees, etc. He handled huge loads of work without a sweat. 

With sharp eyes and grim determination his decisions motivated players, officials, office-staff and most importantly the most neglected sections in Indian cricket: umpires, scorers, support-staff and junior cricket. He was full of ideas and his execution was immediate. No long speeches; just super-fast, efficient actions. Highest integrity, sharp intelligence and impeccable manner were his constant companions.

Never gave unnecessary importance to administrators including egoistic presidents and secretaries. Had no time for cronies and parasites who paraded as officials and sponsors. No bravado in front of the media. He concentrated on his job. Full stop. Thank you.

He knew whom to concentrate on. His full attention was on Mr Cricket India, the one and only Polly Umrigar. Preserved and utilized Polly-kaka’s various views including the pension scheme for retired cricketers which lay rotting on the table of various BCCI presidents for 8 long years.

Prof Shetty, as he was universally regarded, came right into the forefront of the national cricket scenario when at the first available opportunity he put forward the well-researched pension scheme to the newly arrived president Sharad Pawar in 2005. Doddering former cricketers – long forgotten – and their families blessed him for the yeoman task he undertook.

No ego stopped him from introducing Mack Waingankar’s idea of talent spotters (TRDO system). Later introduced match referees with very high powers and recruited former cricketer Stanley Saldanha to introduce computerization.

Facilities for junior cricketers improved leaps and bounds during his time. Umpires, scorers, video-analysts, curators, support-staff, etc all received improved facilities and more.

First saw him at a Calcutta hotel where the BCCI-appointed talent spotters were asked to meet BCCI officials including Brijesh Patel and Dilip Vengsarkar. That was at the end of the 2^nd season of the TRDO (talent scout) system, my first as talent scout.

At the meeting the east zone TRDO chief found faults with my reporting. I insisted that the BCCI officials themselves have another look into the reports I had submitted over the past few months. They did and found no problems at all. In fact both Brijesh and Dilip were glad that I had mentioned the prominent young talents of various state teams.  A pair of bright eyes from BCCI sitting at one extreme end read my reports and gave me a long stare. No, no, no love at first sight!

Next season the east zone chief was out and I remained! Surely that bright stare was the culprit! Following season I became one among the just introduced match referees panel with the dual task of talent scouting.

Too many very strict decisions of a frail, ‘oldie-beardie’ upset a lot of unruly influential cricketers and officials in Indian cricket. In time, for me the ICC (Asia Region) followed as the first non-Test cricketer to be an international match referee from India.

Then came the IPL invitation, another first for a non-Test player. I do not know how many battles Prof Shetty had to fight to keep the ‘smiling assassin’ sitting on those chairs for ten long years.

In between, the two profs – chemistry and sports management – combined to tread on many influential toes! The sole intent of both was not for anyone’s delight but for NATIONAL INTEREST.

Thanks, Prof, for discovering the match ref in me. A job I genuinely relished. May God keep blessing you: a role model for all sports administrators.

  

 

Two selfless, patriotic members of royal families

In 1932 the Indian cricket team set sail for Britain to play their first-ever official Test match. The chosen captain of the touring team was the Maharaja of Porbandar, Natwarsinhji. His deputy was Kumar Shri of Limbdi, Ghanashyamsinhji.

  They were cricketers of very little merit. But at the time, in the 1930s, it was felt that leaders could only come from the princely classes. Hence the two members of the royalty were given the top two posts in the Indian cricket team to play in India’s inaugural Test. Obviously all the players were Test debutants.

 Thankfully both Natwarsinhji and Ghanashyamsinhji were educated, liberal, magnanimous souls, in the most appropriate sense of those words. They were pragmatic enough to understand that if they were in the playing XI, the national team would become weak.

 Both declined to play in the inaugural Test at Lord’s. That Test match being the sole Test of the series, they never got to play for India again. They played just 4 and 11 first-class matches respectively on the full tour.

 Skipper Natwarsinhji and his deputy Ghanashyamsinhji decided that the best choice to lead would be the ‘commoner’ CK Nayudu. Accordingly India’s first-ever Test captain was Cottariya Konkaiya Nayudu, a magnificent all-rounder and a born leader of men. CK’s elevation to the top was not because of the selection committee, but because of the magnanimous gesture of two princely gentlemen.

 The chief reasons for highlighting this extraordinary event are quite a few. To begin with, this particular issue has not yet seen the light of day. Indian authors and historians could not decipher the magnitude of the gesture of two men who sacrificed immortality for the just cause of the nation. Both Natwarsinhji and Ghanashyamsinhji deserve our salute.

 Secondly, in the annals of international Test cricket such a unique sacrifice has never been seen. No captain-elect of any nation has ever relinquished his debut captaincy in this magnificent manner.

 Thirdly, this is a very significant issue in the light of modern thinking. At a time when ‘commoners’ in BCCI are fighting among themselves for every bit of crumb on the table, we in India have had ‘royal’ people who knew how to sacrifice self for the benefit of the nation by giving the deserving men their due.

Natwarsinhji and Ghanashyamsinhji are names that even the top Indian cricketers and administrators are unaware of. In fact they do not want to know about them. As one former supposedly erudite India captain recently observed, “…why bother about what happened earlier; all that is in the past!”

 Today where is the time for chivalry and magnanimity in the quagmire of corruption?  Now the whole emphasis is on money and power; power and money. Nothing else matters. Only I, me and myself. Full stop.