Former Indian cricketer Chetan Chauhan has been named the new chairman of the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT).
On Friday, Chauhan told The Indian Express, “This is a Government of India appointment. The names [for the post of chairman] are sent by the ministry of textiles… preference is given to people in the party (BJP).” Chauhan thanked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) president Amit Shah for his appointment in this role.
According to the NIFT Act 2006, the chairperson of the Board of Governors (BoG) is expected to be “an eminent academician, scientist or technologist or professional, to be nominated by the Visitor” of the institute, which is the President. The term of the appointment is three years.
68-years old Chetan Chauhan is currently serving as a vice-president of DDCA (Delhi and District Cricket Association) and as a senior official of BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India). Apart from these, Chauhan also runs a cricket academy and owns a printing press.
With this busy life schedule, Chauhan breakdown his next work schedule as he said, “I will spend 60 percent of the time in DDCA, 30 per cent at NIFT and 30 per cent in my business.”
Chetan Chauhan was former Indian batsman who played in the Indian team as an opener from 1969 to 1981. Chauhan was a regular opening partner of Indian legendary batsman Sunil Gavaskar for the Indian team. Chauhan played 40 Tests and 7 ODIs during his international career where he scored 2084 runs and 153 runs respectively. In 1981, Chauhan was honoured with Arjuna Awards.
After retirement from cricket, Chetan Chauhan was served as an MP (Minister of Parliament) for twice. For the both time, Chauhan was elected to the Lok Sabha from Amroha in Uttar Pradesh.
Chauhan expressed to The Indian Express why he was selected for chairman in NIFT. Chauhan told, “They examined many names and ultimately chose me because I am an international sportsman and have experience in banking. I worked with the Bank of Baroda as a Scale-4 officer based in Delhi. For 23 years, I spent quality time in banking.”
Though Chauhan is excited about his new role but still he will give more time in DDCA. Chauhan said, “Whenever an urgent matter is required to be addressed, I will be there. I will be going there once in a week. I will have an office there, but I think I will be spending more time at DDCA. I will have to devote some time to my company (Coral Newsprint), too.”
Chauhan also said about the nature of the work in NIFT as he said, “We have a Board of Governors and a senate, which includes directors and chairpersons. The supreme body is the Board of Governors, of which I am the chairman. All major decisions are taken in the Board meeting, and I call that meeting. There are three MPs also on the Board.”
Chauhan already met with the members of NIFT. Chauhan said, “I met the members and briefed them and advised them that we should come up with solutions in the interest of the institution. The term is for three years.”
Chetan Chauhan also spoke out about his fashion sense. Chauhan said, “My fashion sense is not being flamboyant but well dressed. I am not dashing fashion-oriented because I have to go with what suits my age. But I like to dress up smartly and well.”