Senior Congress leader Suresh Kalmadi, a former Indian Air Force pilot and prominent figure in Indian sports administration, passed away at the age of 81 in Pune following a prolonged illness. Born on May 1, 1944, Kalmadi served in the IAF from 1964 to 1972 and was involved in the 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan, earning numerous accolades for his service. His political career spanned several decades, during which he held multiple terms in the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, and he played a significant role as President of the Indian Olympic Association. However, his legacy was marred by allegations of corruption related to the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, leading to his arrest in 2011 and subsequent suspension from the Congress Party. Despite being cleared of all charges in recent years, Kalmadi’s public image suffered greatly due to the scandal, reflecting the complexities of accountability in Indian sports and politics. His death marks the end of a controversial yet impactful career, leaving behind a significant legacy in both political and sports sectors in India.