President’s Message
Dear Friends,
Very warm greetings.
What a delightful afternoon it was at our weekly meeting with the recipient of the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan, the batting legend, Mr. Sunil Manohar Gavaskar. The audience was completely enthralled and in raptures with his eloquent and humorous speech.
Fondly called Sunny Gavaskar, and known for his batting prowess against fast bowlers, Sunil made his first class debut for Vazir Sultan Colts XI in 1966/67. His Test Cricket debut was against West Indies in Port of Spain, Trinidad – India’s first-ever win over West Indies. Sunil’s score in the series was a remarkable 774 runs.
Sunil also became the captain of India’s cricket team. With his 30th Test Century, he overtook Sir Donald Bradman’s record of 29 centuries. A fine slip fielder and a great and innovative commentator on Cricket. The rest is history…
In 1996, the ‘Border-Gavaskar Trophy’ was initiated in his co-honour for bilateral series between India and Australia. Trinidad Calypso singer Lord Realtor (Willard Harris) wrote a song in Gavaskar’s tribute called the ‘Gavaskar Calypso’.
Sunil was inducted into ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2009 and in 2012 awarded Col. C.K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award for Cricket in India.
Many may not be aware but Sunil had a stint with the movie world – he acted in the Marathi film Savli Premachi and later appeared in a guest role in Malamaal. He also sung a Marathi song: ‘Ya Duniyamadhye Thambayaala Vel Konala’.
This ‘Little Master’ from Mumbai had one weakness; apart from his appetite for runs, Sunil had cravings for Parel-G Glucose biscuits. A weakness for me, too, which I try to resist and looking at his fitness, Sunil too surely does the same. It was my first meeting with him and he did leave me very impressed…. such a fine and humble person, in spite of his very many records and achievements. A well-deserving awardee of the Citizen of Mumbai Award. Cricketers will come, achieve and go – Sunil Manohar Gavaskar will always remain in the pantheon of great cricketing legends.
Life always has its very many ups and downs. It is rather sad and unfortunate that we have lost our very dear Rotarian Sitaram Shah. He was a person with high values. We shall all miss him.
The RCB visit to the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital was a pleasant eye-opener. Seeing the tiny tots in the Pediatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs) was very moving. For those who may not be in the know, our Club has supported approximately a hundred paediatric heart surgeries over the last 12 months. Rtn Jaymin Jhaveri deserves a special mention for his effort in coordinating these. Thank you, Jaymin.
The Club Assembly on November 11th was well-attended. Many of the Committee Reports were impressive. However, there is always room for improvement, bettering ourselves and more work by all of us.
Preeti Mehta
President