Daily Archives: June 26, 2015

Man Singh savours memories of a victory

Sports
P.R. Man Singh says June 25, 1983, will always remain the most memorable day of his lifetime.– File Photo
P.R. Man Singh says June 25, 1983, will always remain the most memorable day of his lifetime.– File Photo

June 25, 1983 is still an unforgettable day in Indian cricket for on this day, 32 years ago, India won the World Cup cricket championship for the first time.

And, P.R. Man Singh, the articulate administrator, has every reason to look back with a sense of pride for he was the manager of the victorious team. What exactly did he do today? “Nothing special. In my prayers, I thanked God for making me part of what is now the cricketing history because of which people still remember me,” says 76-year-old Man Singh in an exclusive chat.

Not surprisingly, the seasoned administrator and former HCA Secretary did speak to some of the members of that World Cup winning team, including Sunil Valson, Syed Kirmani, but could not reach the then captain Kapil Dev. “I am glad that people still remember me for that epoch-making win. It will remain special. Like it is said that people always remember Tenzing Norgay as the first one to climb Mt. Everest and not all those who emulated him, likewise Kapil’s Devils are now part of cricketing folklore,” Man Singh remarked.

“It’s revival of old and fond memories, clearly loving every moment. No special celebrations, but this day will always remain as the most memorable of my lifetime. All those spectacular moments when we beat the Clive Lloyd-led mighty West Indians will be etched in memory,” he says, with a beaming face.

“I am glad that Dhoni and his team won the World Cup for the second time. It is by no means an ordinary achievement given the tremendous pressure of playing at home,” he explains. And, Man Singh takes pride in re-asserting that India won the World Cup without a coach and a single support-staff member.

“Those were the days when the manager donned multiple roles. I am glad that I lived up to the expectations despite the odd teething problems. I must give full credit to the players who responded in great style to the needs of the situation on the given day. It was a collective effort and the way the players rallied around captain Kapil was a treat to watch,” recalls the widely acknowledged cricket administrator with the backdrop of World Cup winning team pictures hanging on the wall in his office chambers in Secunderabad.

The seasoned administrator, who was manager of the Indian team when it won the World Cup, looks back on the historic win with a sense of pride

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities / by V.V. Subrahmanyam / Hyderabad – June 26th, 2015

Environment expert Rajamani passes away

Green Initiatives / Environment, Leaders

Hyderabad :

Well-known environmentalist and former bureaucrat, R Rajamani, passed away in Hyderabad on Thursday, after a brief illness. He was 78.

Best remembered for his uprightness, passion and humility, the 1959 batch IAS officer from Andhra Pradesh cadre, served as the collector of both Adilabad and Medak during his tenure. He also held the principal secretary post in the finance and forest departments of erstwhile AP.

Apart from his home ground, the distinguished officer worked in various departments at the Centre during the term of three Prime Ministers – Morarji Desai, Charan Singh and Indira Gandhi. He then went on to serve in the cabinet secretariat under Rajiv Gandhi. Rajamani eventually retired from office as secretary, forest and environment, Government of India.

As an expert on environmental issues, his association with the field, however, did not end there. Post the completion of his tenure, Rajamani took on the role of an advisor to the United Nations Environment Programme and also played a critical part in protecting the city’s environment and rich heritage.

In fact, post a PIL filed before the Supreme Court pertaining to ‘destruction’ of the Hussainsagar, the SC appointed a three-member committee (was called the Rajamani Committee), with him at the helm of affairs, which eventually went on to save the iconic water body from falling prey to widespread encroachment.

“There was a high court order of 2000 that had laid down certain restrictions on construction activity around the lake. However, that was flouted by certain parties. When this three-member committee submitted its first report in 2005, the SC directed the authorities to honour the HC order,” shared environmental engineer, Sagar Dhara, who was part of this body along with R C Reddy and Rajamani. “While his level of involvement with his work was unimaginable, what struck me most about him was how humane he was. Also, despite being a former bureaucrat, he never shied away from raising his voice each time he thought that the government was doing something wrong. He was a great friend and mentor,” Dhara said.

For ‘green’ campaigner M Mandal too, Rajamani’s death has meant losing an advisor who environmental activists from the city flocked to, each time there was a crisis. “Until a few years ago, he also chaired the Heritage Conservation Committee and went all out to preserve Hyderabad’s ancient structures. He will be missed,” Mandal said.

Members of Forum for a Better Hyderabad (FBH) also expressed their condolences through a release issued on Thursday. “His knowledge, experience and wisdom concerning issues of nature and environmental protection and preservation had been of immense value during his association with FBH during the last one and half decades,” the release stated. The funeral will be held in the city on Friday.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hyderabad / TNN / June 26th, 2015