Renowned Table Tennis player of India Vilas Menon still holds his popularity, nineteen years after his untimely sad demise on 13th September 2002. The legend of Table Tennis during 70s, Vilas was the most popular player among those who played at the national level and later played for India. He had big fan following at a time, when there was no social media presence or cell phone apps. His fans were scattered not only all over India but also in Middle East, Sri Lanka, BangalaDesh, Pakistan, USA and England. The reason being simple. He was very friendly with all.
Vilas Menon
His wife Renu Menon who has now formed a Trust ( Vilas Menon Trust) in her husband’s memory, recalls all those memorable moments in his life, which are still fresh in her memory. “Vilas along with Manjit Dua won the first medal in Table Tennis Doubles for India at the Asian Games and this appears in Limca Book of records. After the institution of Shiv Chhatrapati awards, Vilas was the first TT player to receive this prestigious award along with Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar. Vilas was also the first ever TT player from India to receive the Fairplay award at the World TT Championships held in Kolkatta in 1975. He was the first TT player to win the Maharashtra Junior and Men’s championship together.Perhaps he was the only TT player who played for three different teams namely Maharashtra, Railways and Punjab at the National Championships. He was also Railways and Punjab Champion and last but not the least, Vilas also participated in the World Railways TT Championship at Czechoslovakia and had the honour of having his name written on Railways Board,” says Renu.
Vilas in action during mid 70s
Describing Vilas as the most stylish player during his time, Former India Captain and his team mate and friend Niraj Bajaj, the present Chairman of Bajaj Group while speaking to magzmumbai few years ago, had said, “ We were friends off the court, but on the court we fought like rivals. Most of our matches attracted houseful crowds. Vilas was a character in the field of Table Tennis. A good hearted person that he was, he had no malice towards anyone.” Another close friend of Vilas and a great admirer of his game Ramnath Sharma described Vilas in just few words “ A class by himself “.
Undoubtedly, Vilas had that charisma to pull crowds during his matches, wherever he played across India. Whichever place he toured for his matches, his admirers used to come with vehicle to receive him at the station. Even today, they all remember him whenever there is topic of Table Tennis discussed on social media platform. His 19th death anniversary is today 13th September 2021 and therefore we at magzmumbai appeal to all his friends and admirers to post their messages in his memory.