Badshah in the BUKSS Box: Kaleidoscopic travel among sports, politics & social service

April 21: In a welcome bid to facilitate stargazing at some of the biggest names in the sporting arena from the region,the Barak Upatyaka Krira Sangbadik Songstha has enabled Facebook Live interactions on their eponymous page.Tuesday gave all of us sports enthusiasts an opportunity to be regaled by a candid conversation with a very special guest. Bijendra Prasad “Badshah” Singh answered a range of questions in a wonderful “adda” that took us up,close and personal with one of the foremost sports administrators of the Valley.

‌On behalf of way2barak, Dr. Himabrata Das keenly listened to Bijendra Prasad Singh (Badshah) and reproduced here what the man spoke about events revolving his life. 

‌”Thank you everyone at the very outset for your encouraging response to the clarion call from the administration and the government as the entire country withstands the lockdown for almost a month.To all the parents, guardians and elders watching, I would like to request you to take up the responsibility of 3-4 less fortunate families in your locality and your vicinity in this hour of crisis.Our help in this testing time will be a true test of our patriotism. Let us ensure that no one sleeps at night with an empty stomach. I firmly believe that there is light at the end of the tunnel and God is merciful and we shall overcome. To all the players watching,I would like to urge you to involve yourselves and your family members in physical activity even as you spend time at home.”

“Physical exercise has been recommended by health experts as a means of boosting our immunity against the dreaded viral infection. I would like to thank BUKSS for this initiative that has already seen big names such as Prakash Bhagat and Pritam Das interact with you. As we prepare for the extended lockdown till the 3rd of May, I would like to let you know that I am always here for any help that you might need. If you think that I can help anyone in distress, please approach me and I will try my best to be of use.Friends,words cannot describe how it feels when you see the smiles on the faces of those that you help in times of need. Those smiles are priceless You can never put a price tag on it.”

‌”I speak to you today as a former cricketer and as part of SVCC we have plans to uplift the game of cricket in all the three districts of the Valley.But it is important that we tide over the COVID-19 crisis first.We will ensure that the players get back to rhythm after the lockdown gets over. We also have plans to organise a tournament which would be rotated between venues in Silchar, Karimganj and Hailakandi so that we can harness the best cricketing talent.”

‌”I have had a great time on the field both as a cricketer as well as an umpire.I represented Ithkhola Club for 15 years and also played a season for Bijoyee Sangha.I was part of the District U-16 and U-19 teams and also the Senior InterDistrict team from 1994-2004.I also was part of a veterans’ Assam team that played in Odisha. We had the great Amal Das as our captain with Niranjan (who despite being of my same age started playing Inter-District a couple of years earlier), Niharendu, Monoj Bharati and Alok Laskar being some of my teammates. We had a memorable Aizawl tour. My best memory would be the thrilling final that we won in Lumding.”

“I am still horrified by our shock defeat against Karimganj in another final. We needed 215 odd to win chasing and Mehboob Alam got out on 99.I got out at 49.We spiralled to a forgettable collapse with 20 odd runs to win with 7 wickets in hand. Mehboob Alam Mazumder (who in my opinion should have certainly played for the Assam team) and Monirup Sinha (who is settled in Malaysia now) were the two most outstanding cricketers from our generation.Both of them have left a lasting impression on me. The next generation comprising Buddho, Prakash, Tatha, Deep, Raihan, Mosarob carried our legacy forward and made us all proud by winning the Senior Inter-District Tournament. I also took part in the 1st Division football league both as a player as well as a Referee. I have fond memories of scoring in the 2nd Division final for my team PWD Athletic Club.”

‌”I am proud to come from a family of sports persons. My father was a respected footballer as well as a referee. My Kaku Mr Chandan Singh represented Assam in the Sontosh Trophy. My cousin Mr Babu Singh represented the state U-19 team. Another kaku Mr Mukti Singh was an athlete as well as a footballer. My cousin Mr Tezu Singh played for the India A team. My elder brother played Senior Inter-District at a stretch for 15 years. I believe that our family will always remain intimately associated with sports. I am thankful to my wife and my entire family for their constant support.I am also blessed with a four year old son.”

‌”Some players from Karimganj I really used to admire for their cent percent commitment were Rokuda, the pacers Dhiraj and Arijit, Joy da and also the gritty left handed opener Shuvro (who went on to represent Assam) with whom I once had a JHOGRA (argument) on the field of play”

‌”I came into politics at the insistence of my friends from my para. Right from my childhood,the need to help others got instilled in my character. Working for the masses gives me immense self-satisfaction. Being the KAAJPAGOL (workaholic)  that I am, I don’t think much about politics.To be honest, I don’t think of myself as a politician. I was fortunate to serve as Vice Chairman of the prestigious Silchar Municipal Board. My goal is to keep working for the welfare of the masses. We have plans to raise the standard of hockey and we will implement them once the lockdown gets over. I am glad that we have acquired a grant of 20 lakhs INR from the state government for the development of the Ithkhola Field. We will make sure that the funds are utilised efficiently.”

‌”In conclusion,I would like to reiterate that during this ongoing crisis we need to stand beside each other and do our utmost to help those who are in need. Thank you BUKSS once again for giving me the opportunity to share my thoughts.”