Mumbai, Jan. 6: Syed Kirmani, the recipient of the BCCI’s C.K. Nayudu Life Time Achievement Award will donate 25 % of the purse he received on Tuesday to the needy people. This was revealed by his wife, Habiba Kirmani.
The 66-year-old former stumper and the batsman received am award and a cheque of Rs. 25 lacs in the BCCI’s Annual Award function here.
Speaking exclusively at the hotel, the wife, said, “we are yet to decide on the investment of this fund but we have decided to donate 25% (about Rs. 6 lacs) of this amount to the needy people of the country”.
“We have been doing charity work and help the poor people, especially those who have no money to go to the schools and colleges”.
“We always believe that every family should have at least one educated person and the donation will be utilized for girls education in the poor houses”.
The family received the good news of this award on December 25. “It was a Christmas gift on the eve of the New Year”.
The news also proved to be an adanced birthday gift for Kirmani, who turned 67 on December 29.
“Yes, woman is behind the success of every great man and I was no exception. I sacrificed everything for him. Being an international cricketer, he was on tours most of the time and I catered for our children. I had to look after my kids and mother-in-law. My parents and brother helped me a lot as they hail from the same Bangalore city”, she added.
“The BCCI should also consider to felicitate the wives of the cricketers because they play big role”, she added laughingly.
“We are thankful to the Indian cricket board for nominating Kirmani for this award. His name will now again be associated with the legendary C. K. Nayudu, who happened to be India’s first ever Test captain. Kirmani was found to be in India’s All-time Best playing XI which also had C.K. Nayudu in the team”.
Sadly, late C.K. Nayudu’s daughter and woman commentator Chandra Nayudu could not make it to the function. “I had received the invitation but because of my age and health I was unable to attend. I had attended the Award functions in the past”, she said from Indore.
Mr. and Mrs. Kirmani will stay in the city till January 10 to meet their relatives and friends before returning to Bangalore.
