A galaxy of present and former cricket stars were in Chennai for the release of a coffee-table book on the growth of India Cements over the past seven decades and 50 years of association of N Srinivasan, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of the company.

Present and former Indian cricket stars lauded N Srinivasan, former Chairman of ICC (International Cricket Council) and former President of BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) as an administrator-par-excellence whose contribution to the Indian cricket and the players were unmatchable.

Like in cement, N Srinivasan’s contribution in cricket is also unmatchable, particularly, the benefit schemes started during N Srinivasan’s period where the former players were benefits and pension. Also, widows of former players were granted pensions. It doesn’t happen in any other sports.

Benefit schemes

Srinivasan was ahead of time realising that sport as a career would have a shelf life of 10 or 15 years at best and wondered what would they do after that. “I don’t think the cricket fraternity is ever going to forget Srinivasan for his benefit schemes, and others,” said Sunil Gavaskar.

Kapil Dev described Srinivasan as a great administrator who made a lot of positive impact on Indian cricket during his period. “Today without any doubt any sports you take, nobody will perceive the way Srinivasan did in cricket. He has set a benchmark for other sports to follow,” he added. Recalling his association with Indian Cements since 1994, Rahul Dravid said Srinivasan’s contributions — be it the benefit schemes for players, professionalising BCCI and making it the richest board or making ICC one of the vibrant organisations — were immense.

Rupa Gurunath, daughter of N Srinivasan and the Whole-Time Director, India Cements, said the company was fortunate to have a visionary at its helm. “India Cements and my father have always been ahead of their times. Pushing boundaries, challenging convention, defying the paradigm time and again,” she said.

The coffee-table book titled Defying the paradigm , written by Kalyani Candade, was released by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and Chennai Super Kings Captain, M S Dhoni received the first copy.

The function was attended by a galaxy of cricketers including legendary captains of India, politicians, CEOs of cement Companies, captains of industry from Tamil Nadu and other parts of India, sportspersons, trade union leaders, senior executives and employees of dealers, vendors and suppliers of India Cements.

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