One does not know how to sum up one's life ... the academic career as a student vis-a-vis the love for certain sporting extravaganza - The Indian cricket and the fate of World Cup Football.
The gentlemen called Jimmy Amarnath, Kapil Dev or even the likes of Zico, Maradona, Platini and Paolo Rossi were responsible for spoiling the studies.
Remembering Paolo Rossi: The Bolt In Blue vs Brazil – The Star Of 1982
This was a different era. Schooling was not yet over. The next year, Kapil and Jimmy Amarnath (Mohinder) made India proud. I still remember 1983 Aug 15 speech of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. I had rushed to someone's house to listen to the speech expecting and presuming what all she would tell about the Prudential Cup win.
Shortly, came in 1986 - Maradona. The 'hand of God'; the thriller Quarter Final match between Brazil and France and oh boy -- my favourite Samba team lost. Zico missed two penalties. Even French star Platini had missed.
Our tension during the match (of course late night) --- keeping the TV volume down as my aunt would be disturbed .... are time worth recalling. The argument with St Anthonian class mates ... the next day.
Laa Boh Lia ... (only those who stayed and studied in Shillong -- our era - can understand the phrase).
Many years later ... thanks to my bloody journalism ... I had face-to-face meeting with Kapil, Mohinder, Sunny Gavaskar. Even shook hands with Gavaskar and Kapil... had myself photographed with Sandip Patil.... But was all that worth it ?
Some years later ... came Cricket match fixing. In 2026 - I hardly follow cricket 'as religiously' as I used to. I do watch important encounters including my women team.
In 2026 .... another thing has almost dawned. Have I started 'losing' interest in World Cup football. And this time; oh boy - FIFA is responsible.
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| Blogger and illustrious hard-hitting batsman Sandip Patil - 2002 (Mumbai, Wankhede) |
The World Cup football certainly produces collective effervescence -- that describes
... the unprecedented Emotion generated when people gather around a common purpose.
But it gets killed too. Worse, it kills the 'football bhakt' in me. Ever since the Egypt-FIFA row was triggered; I realise I have stopped asking myself ... whether France will do well or it is the usual expectation (bloody rigged) Argentina in final.
I have reached almost the stage -- when a Sardar ji was told -- "Sir there is a fire in the house". He responds - "meenu ki (What have I do with that).
The person shouts back -- Sir ji it is in your house !
This time the response is equally highly spirited one - "tannu ki (What bloody you have to do with it)".
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| I have shared this on Whatsapp Status and there is 'endorsement' from many !! |
This is the tragedy of the season.
Unlike cricket, which is time consuming and often 'slow' suiting a Bengali temperament of work-shirkers; Football is different. Like that tomato sauce.
It offers/gives considerably much more. And Football demands little.
Ninety minute extravaganza; and it is over. And India not playing - chances of 'mood spoil' is less. Of course Brazilians are good at that.
Often their performance is like Indian cricket team or Hindu voters. They can let you down any day. But that's it. You still feel the urge ... the 'aag' or the youngster's butterfly in the stomach --- as we men were always 'boys' .... felt excited ...
finding a Mandakini or a Rekha-like girls in the college outfit. He hands on the books. And the Bong quizzer asking - "Where are your hands ... answer in Bangla?"
No girl could say - "hands are on books (in Bangla)".
Apologies to traditionalists.
Refereeing under fire as Egypt narrowly miss out on historic World Cup upset.
Somewhere, someone commented -- The World Cup: One month of shared humanity ... but all that stands shattered for me.
The craze around Football -- well, a good economist will point to its accessibility.
TV, social media platforms ... despite Zee5 minting quick money ... all have democratised football.
The sociologist can speak of collective identity.
But who can explain what passes through thousands of bodies and heads as millions watch the games on screen ... when a goal is scored or a scored goal by excellence of a performance is negated mercilessly.
Egypt is not a Hindu or a Bengali country; my emotion is all around the game, oh boy !!
Engrossed in the game, people suspend divisions and sorrows; and the tension around freelance journalism.
Will the next round of payments come on time? What about wife's 'small demand' for a summer vacation ?
This was not escapism too. All of it is survival.
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| This photo : Once symbolised Humanity's darker face |
ends
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