HYDERABAD: Married in 1966, PR Man Singh, 78, and Manju, 73 agree that their marriage is a journey of love and happiness. “We are yet to decide on our golden jubilee celebrations. Our 25th anniversary was celebrated in a small way but this time it might be different,’’ says Manju.
With a smile on his face, Man Singh, former secretary of Hyderabad Cricket Association and manager of the 1983 Indian team that won one-day World Cup, begins his story.“It has been a long journey. In three months it will be 50 years of us being together. I’m from Hyderabad and she’s from Ferozepur in Punjab. The alliance was made through common friends. My mother showed me a photograph of hers, after I finished playing my first Ranji Trophy match in Cochin, Kerala. My elder sister and brother in law were posted in Punjab and they had contacted my parents in my absence. Then subsequently, me and my parents went to Delhi. That is where we met first.”
When Man was late for the meeting
Manju recalls their first meeting like it was yesterday. “I kept my head down. I never questioned my parents when they came with the proposal. I had to take leave as I was working, teaching English and Social Studies. I did my B.Ed. They came late, I was so annoyed with my mother and told her that it was a waste of time and my leave. We were not conservative. We are more of a traditional family where we obeyed our elders,” she says. Man interrupts with a justification. ‘The train was late. Then we had to visit our cousin’s house.” Manju says, “It was very late. 10:30 in the night and we had a small ceremony.”
The backbone
Manju says she knew that her husband was passionate about cricket. “I was also in active sports and represented Delhi in Guides. I had taken mountaineering and sailing training,’’ she tells us. But that is not it. She is the one who is responsible for the family’s well being. “She took care of the house and children at a time when my role in cricket administration was at its peak. I hardly spent time at home and could not pay attention to the children. This museum is her creation. I used to bring my mementoes and left them scattered. Manju took all the pains to collect them and keep them safe. She was patient with me,” he appreciates.
Man Singh also took forward his father’s liquor business. But that wasn’t a smooth journey. “We faced a financial crunch during prohibition. We wanted to set up another business, but that too didn’t work out. But we didn’t complain. At that moment without Manju, I couldn’t have managed my business.
Dealing with differences
Manju points out that they never had any arguments. “If I don’t like anything I just keep quiet. A little later, we would talk and discuss what we should have done. I don’t remember any argument as such,” she says.
The victory
“There was hardly any way to communicate when I was in London,” recalls Man. June 22, 1983, was the day we beat England in the semi-finals. “In all this excitement, I forgot that it was our wedding anniversary. Late in the evening, her elder brother, who stays in England, called me and said, “what the hell, you did not wish Manju on your wedding anniversary and she is very upset.” I said listen you call her up and tell that this is the biggest gift I’m giving her on her wedding anniversary,” he laughs. Manju steps in and says, “When India won the World Cup, there were non-stop telephone calls, congratulating me. We celebrated it in a big way at home. We don’t talk much about cricket at home, but that win was more than something to celebrate,” she beams, proudly.
Museum and his dream
It is not just the name of his house, The Pavilion, but the cricket is written all over it. On the second floor, is a huge room filled with Man’s cricket memorabilia that Manju set up with utmost care. “We built this floor exclusively and was inaugurated by Sachin Tendulkar.When we constructed this house, these mementoes were in the cellar and whenever there was a big rain during monsoon, the rooms would be flooded. That is when we decided to shift upstairs. But I always dreamt of a museum. I’m happy that my dream came true. I’m indebted to my wife, son Vikram and daughter Aarati,” says Man.
Big players and party time
Manju is also a great host, shares Man. From Clive Lloyd, Vivian Richards, Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev to Sachin Tendulkar, the entire Pakistan and West Indies team made a visit to her house. “She plans meticulously and takes care of the guests with best of the cuisines,” he beams.
Manju tells us that players like Kapil Dev, Vengsarkar, Shastri are comfortable at their place. “I remember one of my friends had a crush on West Indies batsman Alvin Kallicharan. She would make a number of calls. These are all sweet memories. Many would be eager to attend the parties as they could meet the star players,” shares Manju.