Kolkata lauds its cricket heroes
I don't think any other state or any other country in the world has this kind of support or love for their sporting heroes
BOLLYWOOD, cricket and politics united in a lavish ceremony this week, giving a royal salute to Indian Premier League champions the Kolkata Knight Riders and team owners Shahrukh Khan and Juhi Chawla.
Nearly 50 000 fans packed the Eden Gardens cricket ground in Kolkata for the event. But the scenes of merriment in the historic ground did not match the chaos outside — seven sports enthusiasts were injured in stampedes as they clambered over police barricades to gain entry.
Although entry was free, the number of passes distributed did not meet the huge demand. Passes were even sold at high prices on the black market.
The gala affair was nothing short of a major Bollywood event, though. Confetti rained down across the arena as West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee entered the stadium. Khan’s arrival, after a three-hour flight delay, drew tumultuous applause.
Dressed smartly in a white Knight Riders jersey, a ponytailed Khan cut a giant cake — shaped like a stadium and with the words Kolkata Knight Riders in icing — accompanied by Chawla, team captain Gautam Gambhir and Banerjee.
Khan was the centre of attraction as he threw kisses towards the galleries.
The Knights, flanked by Khan and Chawla, paraded the golden trophy for the sports buffs in the stadium while about 150 000 people stood outside.
The crowd went wild as Khan, donning a hat, blew kisses, waved and did a few steps of his popular song Lungi Dance atop an elevated podium.
An exuberant Chawla walked with the players as the team’s anthem, Korbo Lorbo Jeetbo, was sung in the background by singer Usha Uthup.
“I don’t think any other state or any other country in the world has this kind of support or love for their sporting heroes,” said Khan.
“So, thank you Kolkata for supporting us through thick and thin. I thank you on behalf of the team. We will keep up the hard work. We enjoy your claps as well as your admonitions.”
The chief minister hugged and congratulated Khan. “Thank you for the marvellous win,” said Banerjee.
Khan replied: “We thank Mamata di for being kind to us always. You make it feel as if it is our own house.”
The event, jointly organised by the state government, Kolkata police, city authorities and the Cricket Association of Bengal, was attended by a number of state ministers, former cricketers and cultural icons.
Stars from the Bengali film industry, including Prosenjit, Soham, Srabonti and June Maliah, upped the glam quotient. A troupe of dhaakis (drummers) and tribal dancers added to the frenzied atmosphere.
Apologising to the supporters who could not witness the spectacle, Banerjee announced that such events in future would be held at the sprawling Brigade Parade Ground.
It is normally used for huge political rallies and can accommodate hundreds of thousands of people. — Anurag Dey and Sahana Ghosh