Old French enclaves gear up for Bleus victory
CHANDANNAGAR/CHENNAI:THE promotional theme for the Fifa World Cup this time goads fans to temporarily switch allegiance to a third team and two former French enclaves in India will come alive rooting for Hugo Lloris’ side when they take on Croatia in the final on Sunday.
Brazil and Argentina lead the way in terms of Indian fan loyalty, but the two with Portugal, a country which has close links with Goa, have all long gone home. But buntings and giantscreens are coming up for one grand bash for Sunday at Chandannagar, the former French enclave in West Bengal, and in Puducherry and Karaikal, the European power’s former pockets of influence.
The goodwill comes out in different ways. At Chandannagar, Babuli Nayek, 37, who earns only ~2,000 a month as a private security guard, is a Kylian Mbappe fan. He has splurged ~500 to buy French flags, the French striker’s No 10 jersey and firecrackers in anticipation of the pre-tournament favourites ending victorious. Nayek and his friends will take over the Strand, the picturesque main square of Chandannagar town, about 30 km north of Kolkata that was a French colony till February 1951. “I’ve been a supporter of France right from the beginning of this World Cup. We also celebrated the French victory in 1998,” said Nayek.
“We’ll all watch a match on giant screens. I’ll also get myself painted in France’s colour,” said Manik Khatik, a snacks vendor on the Strand. A French flag adorns his shop. For Chandannagar residents, the reference point is France’s triumph in 1998.
Chandannagar was a French colony between 1673 and 1950, with a break of 58 years (1757–1815) of British occupation. The French rule in this eastern pocket as well as Puducherry explains the celebratory mood.
“French authorities continued cultural ties with this town. So, many local residents have a soft corner for them,” said Chandannagar mayor Ram Chakraborty.
Puducherry, a union territory, will be cheering for Les Bleus with the French Consulate putting up a giant screen in its premises to have invitees over to celebrate the occasion. The consulate observed the French national day on Saturday and will extend the celebrations. “We are hoping our national team will repeat the 1998 success,” said a consulate official. Karaikal, an enclave of Puducherry within Tamil Nadu, will join in. “Karaikal beach is ready to screen the finals with giant-sized screens. We are emotionally connected with France and the public are all excited,” Dr MV Sudhakar Reddy, district sports committee member of Karaikal, said.