DHANRAJ & DELHI:
The two D’s are inseparable. Indian star Dhanraj Pillay made his international debut in New Delhi twelve years ago. It was only befitting many momentous achievement in his chequered career occured in the same city. He received all honours every sport hero in India would love to attain – Arjuna, Khel Ratna and Padmashri- here. The only Indian hockey player to get such rare hat-trick was honoured by the city based Jawaharlal Nehru Hockey Tournament Society in a simple but impressive ceremony on the evening of 30th March

ALL PRAISE BY ASHIWINI KUMAR:
Ever green Ashwini Kumar, former president of Indian Hockey Federation and current member of International Olympic Committee, who himself is a great fan and follower of Dhanraj’s game, was the first one to speak in the function held at the verdue lawns of Chemsford Club. “I saw him playing in the Prime Minister Gold Cup, trying to score goal against Pakistan. I saw him sounding the boards with a characteristic reverse flick in the last Asian Games. That is the beauty of him. Unlike many stars of bygone era, he has the ability to score goals on his own which the likes of K.D. Singh `babu’ lagged. Like some of the stars of ‘golden era’, he produces goals when nobody expects. Because, he used brain. Babu for instance was a great inside-left and fed the balls right infront of goalmouth to his centre-forward, but did not have the will and skill to score on his own. Another greatness of Dhanraj is he is the last dribbler left among us. The art of dribbling died with Dhyan Chand, Balbir Singh(sr) and Udhyam Singh. He held on the grand legacy. He has the capacity to juggle with the ball, capacity to dodge the rivals, put the defenders on wrong foot and at the same time to end his moves with a goal. I believe the role model in him inspire the youth of the country and bring hockey to the centre stage. I will tell you one thing. Whatever other disciplines might claim, only hockey can give India the Olympic gold and we despartely need stars like Dhanraj to keep the game going.”

Com. NANDY SINGH:
Olympian Nandy Singh, in his welcome address, went down the memory lane. ” I saw him in the 1989 Asia Cup, his first tournament. At once I predicted a star in him. I was pleased at his ability to score goals in any situation. I told everyone, here is a star. He proved me correct and had done all of us proud”

RAM NIWAS MIRDHA:
Political bigwig Ram Niwas Mirdha recounted the valuable services rendered by Dhanraj. “In country like us where sport victories are rare, the PM Gold Cup victory should have enthused the whole nation, but it was not. Why it was not, we have to seriously think about it. In olden days, hockey was the prime input for radio commentaries. And, cricket has taken over everything after television came in a bigway in our lives. Perhaps, the rule changes, non-availability of grounds damaged our prospects. In this bleak scenario, Indian have to fight not only inside India for its place but also outside to prevent tampering of rules. In this background, Dhanraj is the source of inspiration not only for players and coaches but also organisers like us.”

ZAFAR IQBAL:
He played the last Asian Games under my coaching. He was down with fever then, yet his spirit was high and opted to play every match there. That is what makes a great. I am proud he has got all adulation which he richly deserved. He is one player who does something extraordinary in every situation. I am disappointed that none of our media people went to Dhaka. Other than some match results that tricked in everyday, there was hardly any debate, features and other things in the print and visual media one normally expects when we win a Cup that too defeating such enemy as Pakistan. I think the IHF should wak up and activate their state associations, who in turn will activate district associations.”

DHANRAJ IN HIS ELEMENTS:
Dhanraj after garlanded profusely walked upto the mike for his part of delivering the speech. However, the dignitaries on the dais requested him to sit and speak, which he obliged. His speech hardly lasted two minutes but true to his trait and persona, had enough punch. “I am indebted to the Nehru Society for bringing me from Bombay for this honour when Bombay Hockey Association hardly took note of all my achievements. It hurts me” For those who expected the explosive forward would explode furthere, there was disappointment as mature Dhanraj almost abruptly ended his speech at that with one more word of thanks for the orgnisers.

NEHRU SOCIETY HARD ON PURSE:
Nehru Society deserved a pat on the back for their wisdom in honouring a great player of our times. At least someone somewhere thought of doing so. But the cash-rich Society’s proverbial hard-on-purse attitude surprised many. It has managed to get a complimentary air ticket from Indian Airlines for Dhanraj’s travel from Bombay. On Dhanraj’s request, they gave him Rs.185