Former Union Minister Suresh Kalmadi Passes Away at 81 in Pune

Pune: Former Union Minister and senior Congress leader Suresh Kalmadi has passed away at the age of 81 after a prolonged illness. He breathed his last at the Dinanath Mangeshkar Hospital in Pune. His body will be kept at Kalmadi House, Erandwane until 2:00 PM today, and the final rites will be performed at 3:30 PM at the Vaikunth Crematorium, Navi Peth, Pune.

Kalmadi, a prominent figure in Indian politics and sports, was a member of the Indian Air Force and served in both the 1965 and 1971 wars. He studied at Fergusson College, Pune, before joining the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Khadakwasla. Kalmadi was the son of Dr. K. Shamarav, a well-known social activist from Pune. His father also played a pivotal role in founding the Kannada School and Kannada Sangh in the city, motivated by their Karnataka roots.

A Long Career in Politics and Sports
Kalmadi’s political career saw him associated with Congress for many years. However, when Sharad Pawar split from Congress and formed his own party, Kalmadi followed him. Pawar appointed him as the National President of the party’s youth wing. Kalmadi’s political journey also included a notable stint in the Rajya Sabha, where he was first appointed by Pawar in 1982. He later rejoined Congress.

In the 1991 Lok Sabha elections, after the defeat of Pune’s sitting MP Vithalrao Gadgil, Kalmadi took control of the Congress party’s local command. He was subsequently appointed as Union Minister of State for Railways in Narasimha Rao’s government. Kalmadi holds the distinction of being the only railway minister who, in his role as Minister of State, presented the Railway Budget in Parliament.

Indian Olympics and the Commonwealth Games
Despite having no direct background in sports, Kalmadi made significant contributions to Indian athletics. He became the first President of the Athletics Federation of India and later served as the President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) for an extended period. His tenure as IOA President is best remembered for his leadership of the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi. While the event was considered a milestone for Indian sports, it also faced several controversies.

Kalmadi’s legacy, especially in sports administration, is marked by his long and influential role in shaping the country’s athletic framework, despite challenges and controversies that surrounded major sporting events.