Radhika Rawlley is young at 71. She’s packing her bags to start a new life in Dubai where her son, Ishan, has recently settled down after living in England for decades. She leaves behind with a heavy heart her parents’ house in Greater Kailash.
This story is about her mother Sita Rawlley who’s responsible for popularising golf as a women's sport in India. She’s a legend and an inspiration. I have never met her and will never meet her, but she has a strong presence in the lives of people she touched, and I felt her warmth sitting in the home she made some 50 years ago.
Sita loved sports in general, not just golf, but tennis and swimming; was an accomplished horse rider as well. She had a raw talent that fructified in varied ways over a lifetime. She did many things and did them well. For instance, though never received any formal training in golf, she was, time and again, complimented for a perfect swing. She was way ahead of her time, a trendsetter, a woman who broke many glass ceilings. And she did it in style, an artistic and charming woman, she was a collector of art, an excellent cook, a brilliant homemaker, she had choicest furniture housed aesthetically.
A highly social person, Sita had friends from all walks of life, was Integral to the Delhi’s literati for decades, one of the greatest hosts, her parties were the event of the town. Also, she was creative and charitable, made a positive difference in so many lives, and, therefore, is fondly remembered years after her demise, as the Aunty Sita.
Sita had her share of ups and downs, emerged stronger with every contingency and challenge. She lost her father when she was barely 10. Her mother, Savitri, a progressive woman, recognized and harnessed Sita’s sporting talent. Sita and her brothers were taken to Gulmarg to escape the long heat spells of Lahore. Here, Sita was initiated to golf in 1939, which became one of her many lifelong passions. She was one of the very few women golfers, as a teenager, participated and won many tournaments.
A charming leader, Sita was a good golfer turned administrator of the sporty. She was instrumental in formalising the Ladies Section at Delhi Golf Club and captained the ladies-section for two terms.
Soon after college, she was married to a handsome army officer, Naveen Rawlley, and they had a lovely life together, for they helped each other nurture their talents and callings. Sita was ‘heart of my heart’ to Naveen that never changed. He’d jokingly say on numerous occasions, “For Sita, golf comes first, then the dogs, followed by the children and then me”.
She travelled all over the world with Naveen, some of the places he was posted like the stint in the USA, where their son ,Shunil, was born, followed by a daughter, Radhika, two years later. In 1964, Naveen got posted to the IDC in London, where Sita honed her various talents, attended culinary courses at Le Cordon Bleu, flower arranging from Constance Spry, amongst other things.
Later, when Naveen was posted to Nagaland; Sita settled in Delhi and lived with her mother Savitri. It was only at the age of 40, in 1965, that she began to think of golf as a serious occupation. She went on to win the Ladies All India three years in succession – 1977, 1978 and 1979. To her the most satisfying win was against Kee Bee Kim of Singapore—she was a leading woman golfer at the time.
A charming leader, Sita was a good golfer turned administrator of the sport, She was instrumental in formalising the Ladies Section at Delhi Golf Club, and captained the ladies-section for two terms. She led an enviable life, golfing all day long followed by parties in the evening.
Sita worked tirelessly for decades to raise funds for the Ladies Section. In the late ‘80’s Sita met Chikoo (Siddharth Shriram), and remained good friends all their lives. He became the ‘patron saint’ and sponsored the Ladies Northern India, at the Delhi Golf Club, for the next twenty-five years.
Sita, being wife of a senior army officer, used her clout to carry out welfare activities. She ensured better facilities for the jawans. On numerous occasions she raised funds for the good education of the children of jawans; two of the schools started by her are now full-fledged CBSC higher secondary schools.
And that she was a member of the various national sporting bodies of the government only helped—she promoted women’s and junior golf. To help train youngsters by arranging scholarships, especially women, to play golf, was very gratifying to her.
As the Patron of the Women’s Golf Association of India, handled professional golf in the country, and mentored many generations of women golfers, enjoyed a cult status.
In 1977, Naveen was finally posted back to Delhi and elevated to the rank of the Vice Chief of the Indian Army. A few months later, when they were being driven home after attending a party, the driver congratulated Sita. “For what?” she asked. ‘It was just announced on All India Radio that you have been accorded the Arjuna Award,’ the driver informed. She was taken by surprise, a pleasant one.
Life challenged her like never before in 2002. Naveen’s health was failing, and they lost their son, Shunil, and a vascular disease resulted in the amputation of Sita’s right leg. “I would rather die. I will never be able to play golf again,” she had retorted. She pulled through this painstaking process of getting used to the prosthesis, as she was determined to be independent as she always was. ‘I had to learn to deal with this condition and get on with my life,’ she later wrote.
A month after the amputation surgery, she was invited to the opening of the Maurya Hotel’s golf bar. Sita was prominently featured as the lady golfer. Sita received a standing ovation as she walked in elegantly dressed in a saree. It was an emotional moment.
In the later years of her life, her only grandson, Ishan, was the pearl of her eyes. She passed away soon after her 90th birthday but not without leaving the ladies golf in India in safe hands—many players mentored by her took up the cudgels after her. She lived a beautiful life—true to her motto: Never say die.
Comments