Former BCCI president IS Bindra passes away
New Delhi (PTI): Former BCCI president Inderjit Singh Bindra, who played a major role in ushering in a new era of cricket marketing, passed away here on Sunday. He was 84.
He is survived by a son and daughter.
Bindra served as the board president from 1993 to 1996, and was also the president of the Punjab Cricket Association from 1978 to 2014.
In 2015, the PCA stadium was renamed as IS Bindra Stadium as a tribute to his inspiring work as an administrator.
Jay Shah, chairman of the International Cricket Council, wrote on his 'X' account: “Deepest condolences on the passing of Mr. I S Bindra, former BCCI president and a stalwart of Indian cricket administration. May his legacy inspire future generations. Om Shanti.”
As Shah mentioned, Bindra was indeed a stalwart of Indian cricket administration, having started the association with the game as an official in 1975.
He was best remembered for his role in organising the 1987 World Cup — then known as the Reliance Cup — in India and it was the first time the global event was moved out of England after the 1975, 1979 and 1983 editions.
He managed the coup in the company of his close friend late Jagmohan Dalmiya and then BCCI chief NKP Salve, and it opened the
Indian television market to the new possibilities of cricket marketing.
Bindra, who retired from cricket administration in 2014, also worked as the principal advisor of the International Cricket Council when Sharad Pawar held the president’s post.
Before that in 1994, Bindra had approached the Supreme Court of India to break the monopoly of Doordarshan in cricket broadcasting.
A favourable verdict from the apex court helped Bindra and his team bring global companies like ESPN and TWI to the Indian market, which soon expanded to be the biggest in the world.
However, his official life was not without its share of bitter moments as the support he gave to Lalit Modi after the spot-fixing saga in the IPL earned him his share of brickbats.
Bindra also played a pivotal role in the appointment of Haroon Lorgat as the Cricket South Africa CEO, and that move too did not win him many friends.
But overall, Bindra remained one of the architects of modern Indian cricket from a commercial perspective.
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HD Kumaraswamy slams Ramanagara DC for ignoring his calls, vows to oppose land acquisition
Bengaluru: Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Sunday criticised the Ramanagara district administration, alleging that the district commissioner was deliberately ignoring his phone calls.
Speaking at an indefinite farmers’ protest held at Bhairamangala, Kanchuganhalli and nearby villages, Kumaraswamy said the Ramanagara DC was not responding even after seeing his mobile number. “The moment they see my number, they don’t take the call at all,” he alleged.
Issuing a strong warning to officials, Kumaraswamy said government officers should not commit mistakes under pressure from anyone. “Even after retirement, you cannot escape responsibility. Don’t betray the people by succumbing to pressure from ministers or MLAs of this government,” he said.
Kumaraswamy asserted that he would not allow the state government to acquire fertile agricultural land around Bidadi. “We will not allow even an inch of land to be taken. Not a single inch,” he declared, throwing a direct challenge to the state government. He said protecting the land of women farmers was his responsibility and urged them not to give up their land under any circumstances.
Assuring farmers of his support, the Union Minister said they need not be afraid. “I am with you. Governments come and go, but people are permanent. Governments must bow to public opinion. If not, people know how to teach them a lesson,” he said.
Kumaraswamy also alleged that some individuals were supporting the land acquisition move, which he termed dangerous. He accused the government of attempting to acquire highly valuable and fertile land at throwaway prices. “Some people have already created land banks in benami names to loot. They are cheating the people and the government. The day is not far when such people will be forced to stand on the streets,” he warned.
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