Squabblomanics have their bite for another goodtime! The decision to rename Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in Delhi as Arun Jaitley Stadium in memory of its former president who passed away on Saturday has become trending news and has invited a lot of criticism as well.
Rather than finding an opportunity to merry when people attack the news, there are a few facts to know why it has to be renamed after Arun Jaitley not the Mughal Empire a Turkic Muslim ruler of the Tughlaq Dynasty, who reigned over the Sultanate of Delhi.
The Feroz Shah Kotla or Kotla was a fortress built by Sultan Feroz Shah Tughlaq to house his version of Delhi city called Ferozabad. In the pre-independence era, due to lack of auditoriums in the capital, most classical music performances were staged here.
Feroz Shah Kotla or Kotla stadium was established in 1883 and is the second oldest international cricket stadium still functional in India, after the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The first Test match at this venue was played on 10 November 1948 when India took on the West Indies. It is owned and operated by the DDCA.
On 24 August, the day Arun Jaitley passed away at AIIMS after a prolonged illness, former India cricketer and East Delhi MP Gautam Gambhir wrote to Baijal, proposing to rename the sprawling complex in his constituency after Arun Jaitley and there were substantial reasons for his proposal.
May he remain in our hearts forever. As a mark of respect to our beloved leader, I hereby propose to rename “Yamuna Sports Complex” as “Arun Jaitley Sports Complex” #RiPJaitleySir pic.twitter.com/ooK95RZHiQ
— Gautam Gambhir (Modi Ka Parivar) (@GautamGambhir) August 26, 2019
In his letter Lt Governor, he said “”I am writing this letter to propose to your good self to rename Yamuna Sports Complex situated in my Lok Sabha constituency of East Delhi in the name of eminent lawyer, our great leader, and former finance minister, late Arun Jaitley ji,” He said it will be a “humble gesture” and tribute to the Jaitley’s contribution and “incredible” legacy.
In a tour to Jaitley’s office, portrayed by the Business Standard, the reporter says – “There were no pictures of gods and goddesses in this office. Instead, there were framed replicas of legal certificates and mementoes from various cricket associations, testifying to the other love of his life,” it said.
Arun Jaitley, the former Union Minister was not only a follower of the sport but a part of it. Less than two years after he became a member of Delhi and Districts Cricket Association, he was appointed the president of the association, a post he held for 13 years.
Speaking on this initiative, DDCA president Rajat Sharma said: “It was Arun Jaitley’s support and encouragement that players like Virat Kohli, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Ashish Nehra, Rishabh Pant and many others could make India proud.”
Jaitley, during his tenure at DDCA, is credited with renovating the stadium into a modern facility, increasing its capacity to accommodate more fans besides constructing world-class dressing rooms.
Earlier, celebrating his achievements in international cricket, the Delhi & District Cricket Association decided to name one stand at the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium after India skipper Virat Kohli.
Discussion about this post