Get well soon, Rajbhai

Although Raj Singh Dungarpur has now been discharged from the ICU of the Bombay Hospital, the condition of the Prince amongst Men continues to provide cause for concern among the legion of his friends and admirers all over the world

Get well soon, Rajbhai

An exemplary human being to the core they don't make them that way, anymore, alas gracious, compassionate, a sincere friend, fanatical cricket lover whose contribution to the game of cricket, in general, and the Cricket Club of India, in particular, is legendary, Raj will, hopefully, move back shortly to his abode of many years at the CCI.

Speedy recovery

A fine man, indeed: Raj Singh Dungarpur

Meanwhile, his well-wishers are hoping for his speedy recovery and praying that he lives long in good health in the service of the sport he loves to a degree of obsession.

One such well-wisher is former Australian Test off-spinner Gavin Robertson, who toured India with Steve Waugh's team in 1998.

Even though it reads rather like an obituary, Gavin's touching and loving message to Raj Singh Dungarpur is being reproduced in this column, since it epitomises the regard and respect cricket lovers in Australia, and elsewhere all over the world, have for him.

KHALIDSCOPE, too, hopes and prays for his health, well-being and long life.

Gavin Robertson writes:

"It was 1998, Australia landed in Mumbai at 11.00pm at night, greeted by a feverish crowd and much expectation.

Australia had for many years gone to India and complained about the heat, the food and sickness.

"This tour would be the breaking down of that perception and also foster the growth of many relationships.

One such relationship was forged on the love of cricket, how we played and also his sheer presence.

"Raj Singh Dungarpur is a Prince amongst men. He believes in the courage and aggression of the Australian way of playing the game of cricket and he is a leader within the Indian system.

"He is also a visionary a man who recognisesu00a0 that his beloved team, India, can one day rule the world of cricket through a bank of talent that is unmatched and due to au00a0 fanatical love for the game by it's huge populace.u00a0 A builder of grand institutions the CCI being his pride and joy and isn't it the best club in the whole world?

"Raj would often welcome us, invite us to dinners or just want to sit and spend time talking about the game, the game he has loved for many decades. Do not doubt that I have over the years had disagreements with Raj but the respect and traditions of this beautiful game can bring such people together, a man of true Indian Royalty from a different era and well, me , a mere off spinner.

Mutual respect

"I have over the past 11 years had many moments with Raj Singh, some amazing, occasional disagreements, but always mutually respectful and greatly enjoyable.

"It is now that I write to express my thoughts are with Raj after hearing of his recent Illness and we here in Australia can only hope that he is being taken good care of and I want to thank him for being such a catalyst, an instigator of good and a builder of the strong relationships that now flourish amongst both Australia and India, for you have definitely played a huge role in that, Raj.

"We are saddened that you are unwell but on behalf of the many cricketers and administrators that know you here in Australia and respect you greatly, I want to say just one thing: We all love ya get well soon, mate!"

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