Leslie Claudius Passes the Stick
THE Calcutta Customs "tent" will miss its most famous personality - hockey legend Leslie Claudius, who was a gold medallist in the very first Olympics that India participated as an independent Nation in 1948. He went on to win Gold in Helsinki in 1952 and in Melbourne in 1956 and silver in Rome in 1960. And in Rome,he was one of the few Olympians who had the privilege of an audience with the Pope.
Legal Corner Icon — the image was hosted by the publisher and was not captured.Claudius joined the Indian Customs in 1949 and retired as Assistant Collector in 1984. He was meant to bring glory to the nation, but faced several personal problems - his Olympic medals were stolen; his son, also a Hockey player died in an accident - he lived the last years of his life in a rented house with bad health as his companion.
In -27.07.2012, we asked, Shouldn't the Customs Department take care of him and honour him in the December of his life. There is lot of money in the Welfare Fund; can't they buy a house for him from the fund?Can't they give him a good allowance for the rest of his life?
DDT 1911-30.07.2012, said, Our story on Friday regarding Customs Olympian Leslie Claudius evoked huge response from concerned Netizens. But will the CBEC react? Can't they provide a decent house for Claudius. Four Olympic Medals, a Padmasri, a retired Assistant Collector of Customs - what more credentials you require to sanction about fifty lakhs of rupees to this hero of the Customs Department? In fact, his picture could have been there on the Postage Stamp they released last week.
CBEC Chairman Mr.Goel is to retire tomorrow. It will be a great achievement for him if he can honour Claudius with a handsome gift from the Customs Welfare Fund or will the incoming Chairperson get that honour? She did!
In -30.10.2012, we carried a letter from former CBEC Member, SK Choudhury, addressed to the CBEC Chairman to release sufficient funds for Leslie's treatment. We also said, "The CBEC should act immediately, while Leslie is still alive. Madam Chairman - this is a great opportunity for you to prove that Customs is concerned".
In DDT 1987-21.11.2012, while reporting about the CBEC pavilion in India International Trade Fair, we asked, "But how about providing some financial assistance to Leslie Claudius?"
And finally, in - 29.11.2012, we had the pleasure of reporting that CBEC had given Rs. Six Lakhs to Leslie Claudius.
Now the CBEC should think of setting up a permanent memorial for Leslie and should at least persuade the Department of Posts to issue a stamp in honour of Claudius.
Good Bye Leslie!