Sourav with Sana. File picture

Nagpur, Nov. 4: Sourav Ganguly has, over the years, been the epitome of a passionate cricketer. He’s passionate about other things too, not least the well-being of Bengal and the future there for the present generation as also the emerging one.

Bengal’s unofficial brand ambassador is, in fact, concerned about what lies ahead for his and Dona’s only child — Sana, who turned seven yesterday.

“I wouldn’t like Sana to grow up, get a good education and, at the end of it all, find that there’s no job (in Bengal),” Sourav told The Telegraph during an interview on a Calcutta-Nagpur flight last evening.

The following are excerpts:

Q: There’s talk that you could be a candidate, possibly an Independent supported by the CPM, in the next Lok Sabha elections….

A: (Interrupting): That’s not true.

Q: Is it because politics isn’t really your cup of tea?

A: Absolutely.

Q: But are you ruling out a role in politics for all time to come?

A: In the mindset I have today, yes.

Q: That would include not accepting a nomination to the Rajya Sabha?

A: (Laughs) Look, I don’t even know who qualifies to sit in the Rajya Sabha!

Q: With time on your hand after the Nagpur Test, your last India appearance, I suppose you’ll be happy to promote Bengal as a brand ambassador.…

A: I’d love to do that.… I couldn’t, so far, because of my cricket commitments. After Nagpur, I’ll be free.

Q: At the height of the Nano controversy, you pitched strongly for it, appealing that the project stay in Singur. Why?

A: Because Bengal needs not one but many Nano projects.… For the life of the youth to change, across the state, the top industrialists have to invest and create job opportunities. I wouldn’t like Sana to grow up, get a good education and, at the end of it all, find that there’s no job.… I’d like her to stay with me and Dona, in Calcutta, not go elsewhere for a job... Not go to Mumbai or Delhi or London. It’s a personal example, yes, but one which would hold for you or my brother or the many people who love Bengal and are concerned about its future.

Q: Your support for Nano and, thereby, Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee seems to have earned Mamata Banerjee’s ire.…

A: Miss Banerjee shouldn’t see my support for industry as disrespect towards her. I’m not a politician and haven’t taken a political stance. The stand I’ve taken has only been driven by one thing -- the wellbeing of today’s youth and the future of today’s children.

Q: Have you met Mamata?

A: No. I may not meet her at all, unless an opportunity arises.

Q: What brought you so close to the chief minister?

A: Certainly not a political agenda... I’d say his personality. The first time I met him was on the Eastern Bypass (in Calcutta), many years ago, when he stopped his convoy to greet me. I was heading for the airport with my police escort and he’d probably been going somewhere in Salt Lake. I was quite taken aback, pleasantly, when he said he admired my batting and was a keen follower of sport. He also spoke something about his university days.

Buddhababu didn’t have to stop his convoy and get off in the middle of the road; he could’ve called and told me the same things. But, then, that’s Buddhababu. Why just me, the Tatas and the Jindals.…They all have nothing but admiration for him and, remember, they keep interacting with Prime Ministers and chief ministers on a regular basis. If Buddhababu wants me to do something for Bengal, well, I’m a phone call away.… In fact, I’ll be willing to work for the state, irrespective of who is in power.

Q: You made your India debut during the Jyoti Basu years.…

A: Yes, but I never met him personally.… Don’t think there was any occasion.

Q: To go back to Nano, how did you feel when the Tatas moved it to Gujarat?

A: I was very disappointed.… I know everybody will have his or her side of the story and, really, I don’t know the politics of it all.… The bottomline, however, is that the Nano won’t be rolling out of Singur and as a citizen of Bengal, I’m very disappointed. I’m not saying that agriculture isn’t needed, but for progress, you’ve got to have many Nano projects.… I don’t know what you feel, but the reality is that Nano would’ve employed thousands directly and many more indirectly.… That opportunity has been lost.

Q: How long do you think it will take for Bengal to recover from the Nano setback?

A: (Pauses) Don’t know.… Everything depends on the investors.… I must say I was glad to hear Mr Ratan Tata say that he’d still like to invest in Bengal.

Q: Can things actually change in the state?

A: It’s not a question of can or if, things have to change and everybody has some responsibility.

Q: The final one: What’s the update on your education project in Salt Lake?

A: It’s ready to take off.… I have ambitious plans and am quite passionate about it. I like being with children and I’ll be a satisfied man if I can help shape the future of some of them. (Adds laughing) I haven’t thought of the name as yet but it definitely won’t be the Sourav Ganguly School or College!