Former international Table Tennis player P.P.Haldankar popularly known as Pappu Haldankar is no more. He passed away at Saifee Hospital, Mumbai after suffering severe heart attack yesterday. He was 79. The news about his sad demise was confirmed by his close relative. He is survived by his wife Smt. Sangeeta, 2 sons Ketan, Satej, daughter in laws and grandsons.
Pappu Haldankar
An exponent of sandwich rubber in India, Pappu Haldankar started playing table tennis at competitive level in 1956 and within just four years shot into limelight at the national level. Prior to that he had represented Wadia College cricket team at inter collegiate competitions. But, after focusing on the game of table tennis, Haldankar not only represented India in various tournaments, between 1960 and 1965 but also beat many renowned top National TT players of his time like Gautamm Diwan, Mayur Vyas, K.Nagraj and others.
Pappu with his mixed doubles partner Meena Parande during 60s.
Haldankar also topped India ranking in men’s event during 1961-62. He also helped his Railways team to reach finals of inter state national championship. When the visiting Viet Nam team played test matches against India, Haldankar while playing for India knocked out World No. 5 Le Van Tiet. After retiring from the game, he was the coach of Indian Railways for many years. He worked for Western Railway and retired in 1995 as Chief Welfare Inspector from DRM office Bombay Central.
Former international and eight times national table tennis champion Kamlesh Mehta has called his demise as a big loss to the game of table tennis. Veterans National champion Pinakin Sampat while conveying his heartfelt condolences to his family has praised him as down to earth gentleman. Pinakin was coached by Haldankar during 60s. Another Veterans Champion Yogesh Desai called him a top Indian player in 60s era after Sudhir Thackersy and Uttam Chandarana. Ratish Chachad another international TT player has showered his praise on his game and has conveyed his deep condolences to the family members of Haldankar.