You come from a sports-loving family…

My father was a tennis player, soccer goalkeeper, golfer, cricketer. In fact he was a very good wicketkeeper. I myself did competitive swimming, went on to represent my school at the national games. Then I picked up golf. The floodlit multi-purpose stadium in Silchar is named after my grandfather, Mr Satindra Mohan Dev. It is used for football and cricket and has hosted Ranji Tropy and Duleep Trophy matches and a women’s one day international cricket match. My father did a lot to modernize the stadium when he was Union Steel Minister.

Are you using your MPLADS funds towards improving sports infrastructure?

You know in cities like Delhi, Mumbai or Ahmedabad we take stadium and good sports facilities for granted. Coming from a small town, I know how much sports infrastructure means in a place like Silchar. I’ve recently given them Rs 35 lakh to put world class grass. I want the youth to have the same experience that international sportspersons have while playing soccer and cricket. I have plans to give them a digital scoreboard. Also, you know aspirations of youth are the same everywhere. I am now releasing funds for all schools in my constituency to have their own websites. I pick 10-15 at a time.