This was the rare occasion where politicians, public as well as actors came out at the same time to cheer and join in the grand celebrations that the country last saw after the World Cup win. The whole of Kolkata came out and celebrated their IPL home team’s victory with Shah Rukh Khan, the entire team of Kolkata Knight Riders and politicians including Mamata Banerjee.
Khelo Kolkata!
The media finally got to capture a timid smile on Mamata Banerjee’s face, one that the nation believed was lost amongst the FDI and financial matters of the city. There were over 150,000 people together on streets, the Eden Garden, outside the airports and around the open-top bus that carried the stars for a total of 6 kilometers. Flower garlands, photographers, dances, screams, along with quite a bit of jostle made up the welcome.
But just like an mega event of this country, it does not come without its share of controversies. Mamata Banerjee and the Cricket Association of Bengal president Jagmohan Dalmiya awarded gold chains to the owners and the players and that’s when the already scorching Kolkata was caught in a raging fire. From where did didi afford to hand a chain to all those involved with the team? She is the first one to make her voice heard when it comes to the financial matters of the city and in a time where the owners and players have been earning massive loads of money and fame, Kolkata awards them more?
Then there was the lathi charge on those fanatical fans who just could not contain their excitement. After all this was cricket.Who can? Several children were wounded, valuables were lost, and others were victims of brutal beatings. More violence was caused as a result of turmoil. But this was to be expected. Women, men, working or not, came out of their houses and cars and offices just to catch a glimpse of their super heroes that came with cricket bats instead of capes.
But there were few who would be catching the news in the roshogulla city and forming opinions on the police behavior and the gold that went right out of their own earnings. They were all rejoicing in the moment in the most happiest, wildest and cheerful manner.
IPL can never really be hated, even the politicians fasting against this know that.
Tags: Cricket, Indian Premier League, IPL, KKR, Kolkata, Kolkata Knight Riders, Mamata Banerjee, Shah Rukh Khan
