WHEN THE NATION WENT BERSERK!

A group of shirtless men gathered in front of my apartment and chanted slogans like 'Chak dey India' and 'F**d ki Pakistan ki'. They even carried beer bottles and were at their peak. Now if you minus the slogans from this celebration, such are similar scenes during the Holi festival which is then referred to as hooliganism. As I looked at those men with blurred eyes while the firecrackers adorned the sky, I couldn't believe what I saw next. All the families including women had come out in their balconies to cheer these men who jumped and wept and hugged and did everything possible to ensure their celebrations rocked Lahore!

Never in my life had I seen such a pleasing sight. What is referred to as hooliganism was being cheered by people from the best of families. What would have been an ugly sight on an ordinary day was looking so serene and justified. I even noticed women wiping the corner of their eyes with their dupattas as their men smiled with blurred eyes. Such is the charm of the game. An Indian victory over arch-rival Pakistan is an occasion where feelings beyond cricket are expressed.

I too blew my vuvuzela as hard as I could and I left for my office as I had a night shift. I had just walked a few steps where I once again met a mob. It was the time for some bhangda celebrations. As a man counted “one-two-three,” deafening drums began the carnival during mid night. Such celebrations are not seen even during Lohri or other festivals. Just to remind you that every third person was a stranger but who gave a damn keeping in mind the extraordinary occasion!

I somehow managed to reach the main road where I was sure I wouldn't find an auto rickshaw just like I didn't find the washer man during the day time. And my predictions were correct. After waiting for almost five minutes I decided to join the celebrations a couple of yards ahead. Now this celebration overshadowed all the others! A man with a gun stood in the middle of the road with his aides surrounding him. They stopped each and every vehicle that passed by and asked the driver or the male member to come out for a minute. The aim was not to loot them but to hug each of them for India’s victory which was followed by a hawaayi firing! The policemen also displayed their dancing skills in several celebrations (without demanding any bribe)

The way everyone went berserk has been the talk of the town and the better celebrations lie ahead. India has moved to the final of a World Cup for the third time and to be straightforward, they are just one win away from what can be referred as ‘the day for many lives.’

For all those people who believe men don’t cry April 02 is ‘the day’. Emotions will come out in a way like never before. While India clash against Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium, no matter what is the result, men will cry for sure. And the way team India is bleeding blue right through this World Cup, folks be ready to bask in the glory of a much anticipated World Cup victory! We are in Mumbai to rewrite the history!

Armaano ko dilon mein sanjo k tum rakhna, kuch aisi wo jashna ki raat hogi,

Sitaare bhi hongey nazaare bhi hogey, us CUP sey hamari jo mulaqaat hogi!

Jai Hind!

'The Wednesday'-Clash of the Titans!

Good Morning guys. It’s here! The much awaited clash between the arch-rivals is here! Even I am aware (read worried) that Mohali has witnessed heavy rains but being a sports lover I am sharing this article ‘today’ itself hoping that the rain Gods don't do injustice to all of us.

It’s the day when the roads would be deserted and the only people found gossiping on roads would be the ones who would have escaped from asylums as I am sure the normal ones would be busy enjoying the game. It’s the day when the Facebook walls will be flooded with patriotic quotes and jokes. It’s the day when the news channels would take a break from their daily (read sensational) bulletins and telecast stories which express feelings beyond cricket and it’s a day when even the bosses would like to sit with their employees and enjoy the thrilling contest. It’s a day when once again people from all religions would gather for a common cause-to cheer for cricket. And why not it’s a special day, it’s ‘the Wednesday!’ India and Pakistan will be facing each other in a World Cup match after 8 years!

While many believe that the corporate world succumbed to the pressure of the much awaited encounter by declaring half days, making adequate arrangements in the offices to satisfy the fans who were in the favour of a national holiday, I reckon it is quite obvious of them to do so. I mean losses worth crores would seem to be peanuts when compared to the satisfaction derived from watching India-Pakistan play together!

Both the teams have been playing exceptional cricket right throughout the tournament. Their determination to lift the trophy is known from the fact that both of them have defeated (read dethroned) Australia in this World Cup. While Pakistan ended the winning streak of the Kangaroos, India went a step further and ruled them out of the World Cup ending their 12 year dominance in the tournament.

I would not be diplomatic in saying it’s another step towards ‘aman ki asha’ It’s not a war but whatever would be the result, riots are sure to follow. The players would meet to fight for their pride. While Pakistan has a point to prove of how well they have performed as a unit under tremendous pressure, India will be looking to prove that they undoubtedly deserve to be the World Champions!

The match is special as it will see one of the most renowned celebrities who will turn up to witness the epic encounter. While the Indian Prime Minister and his counterpart from Pakistan might be seen discussing (read arguing/compromising) upon a few words to cement their suspended bilateral relations, the cricket fans would have a lot to cheer about on the ground.

The match is also very special as it would be the last World Cup match for many icon cricketers. People could probably see the breezy pace of the Rawalpindi Express for the last time as he has announced his retirement after the World Cup. I am sure the majority of people (ready Everybody) in the stadium would be there just to witness the hundredth century by the master blaster.

So get ready with popcorns and get your favourite food cooked as believe me you would grow extremely lazy once the match kicks off. Hey you crazy fans get your faces painted and test your vuvuzela’s as you’ll enjoy cricket like you have never before. People suffering from heart diseases, should not under any circumstances try to connect with any mode of communication. And those who hate cricket better go off to hibernation for a day.

There is a similarity between the World Cup matches played and the wars fought between the two countries. Pakistan has never been victorious in any of those and let’s hope that the record is intact as both the sides clash in what is expected to be a high-octane mega semi-final clash!

Cheers!

Chak dey!

My Nanaji...

My grandparents run a small school in Gorakhpur. Located on the central Medical College road, it is one of the oldest Hindi medium schools in Gorakhpur. As far as I know, the total number of students in the school never reached 300. Despite the low count, the students who passed out were disciplined and well-behaved. Without a doubt, I can say, that the reason behind that was the principles which had been laid by my Nanaji - who was also the founder of the school.

Nanaji reminded me of Mahatma Gandhi. He led his life on Gandhian principles - which inspired many. He always wore a white Kurta-Lungi and his food matched his lifestyle - simple.

Until sunset, Nanaji spent most of his time inside the school campus – where he had a unique family – a small farm, where he planted vegetables. He also planted mango trees in the farm and looked after the greenery in the campus. It was very rare that vegetables were bought for the market. Every time guests or relatives visited the house; he would invite them to have a look at his farm and then give them vegetables in return. With extreme love and affection, he looked after the flowers and the vegetables - just like parents do for their kids. 

While he barely got angry, he would lose his cool whenever a cricket ball reached his small farm. While the kids ran over the vegetables to fetch the ball in a hurry, he would get furious and yell – “inmein bhi jaan hoti hai.” Sometimes, he even hid the ball in his lungi and pretended as if he had seen nothing. He would return the ball only after the entire team appealed him to do so. He would also warn us not to play shots in that direction. Even he knew that the ball would reach his farm in another 10 minutes but for Nanaji, the happiness of his 14 grandchildren had far more importance than any other thing in the world.

During my school days, he often asked me to read and learn more about politics. Sometimes, he even tried to teach me the basics of politics, which then bounced off my head. I told him about my interest in cricket. He smiled and said, “Politics ki bhi knowledge honi chahiye, bahot kaam aati hai.” When I entered my professional career, I realised that politics was something I got to study and learn. I realised if I had listened to him, he would have taught me and things would have been much easier. Today, when I am into journalism and very much acquainted with politics, I wish he was here and we could have some interesting sessions on politics.

Nanaji always taught us to care for the animals - who are unable to express their feelings. As a part of his daily routine, after having his dinner, he carried chapattis for dogs and cows - who waited for him outside the house to arrive with their meal.

Hatred was something that never existed in his life. Nobody has a clue, about how much of financial help he did for the needy. It was only after he passed away, that we realised it.

In a procession to feed people thirteen days after his death, hundreds of people gathered at the house with tears gushing from their eyes. "He was a great man. We can never forget what he did for me and my family," was something we heard from most of them. The family didn't know how to react when people, who were strangers, came up with similar reactions. He wasn't a celebrity, yet his popularity had no boundaries.

Things are back to routine. There is a gardener who has pledged to look after Nanaji’s family inside the school campus till his last breath. Yet, I am sure; the flowers do not blossom as they did in his presence. There are chapattis cooked especially for dogs and cows - who still get their meals every night. Now, their eyes search for their maseeha and not the food. Nanaji's room is equally well taken well care of. His belongings are neatly kept inside his room. Nanaji's demise has affected the entire family’s appetite. His smiling photograph, neatly framed in his room, is something we all look up to as a source of inspiration. The kids miss his presence, so do elders. Things are back to routine, yet his absence is felt every day.

I am sure if ever God plans to take a break from his daily routine, he will approach my Nanaji asking for a replacement. May his soul rest in peace.

He always had a smile, he didn't carry grudges any...
He was the maseeha of hundreds, he was the saviour for many...

Note: My Nanaji left for heavenly abode on March 7, 2010. This article is dedicated to him on his first death anniversary.