This is an attempt to write on a topic other than travel. I am completely taken aback by the conspicuous scenes of joy erupting in Eden Gardens and the streets of Kolkata following KKR's victory in the fifth edition of that annual gigantic soap opera called the Indian Premier League. Sure, it is a great vehicle to promote hidden talent which may otherwise have gone unnoticed. Yes, international players -- retired and current -- give it a global flavor but to trumpet it as a victory for the state teetering on the edge of bankruptcy is stretching the truth, in my humble opinion. For three reasons. Firstly, it is owned by Bollywood stars and packed with international players, KKR is as much a part of West Bengal as I of Russia. From the website, the number of homegrown players can be counted on the fingers of one hand. Secondly, this is the same year where Bengal won the Vijay Hazare and the Deodhar Trophy earlier this year, admittedly a matter of more pride for the state, and not a peep was heard out of Writers' Building after those wins. And thirdly, the appropriation of this win by the party is a sad attempt to divert attention from the real problems plaguing the state in the form of bankruptcy and rising crime. Let them eat cake! For a state which is warming the back benches among its peers in most human indicator indexes such as nutrition, education and business friendliness, it would take a lot more than this to attract investors.
From a friend's Facebook post (not verified and parts of it in Bengali)
.During KKR Facilitation the Leader of West Bengal's speech at Eden Gardens, exactly copied, no editing...==============================
Aj KKR bangla ke gorbito koreche…eta Amader joy…Shahrukh er joy…Ma,Mati,Manush er joy…..arey dhur, sorun na mukher samne theke”
"Shahrukh, cake, cake". "When we cut cake, we will habh that shong".
...
Ei Yusuph!! Yusuph…..come come… cake khao!! Shakib-edike aso taratari….ei Lakkhi koi ?
"Gautam prothom katbe...o Captain......Gautam, pls cut cake...this side this side......move move, let Captain turn"
"Apnara sunun bhalo kore…..When we cut cake, we will cut in backside so you can all see….Modon, tumi sore darao, manush amader backside theke dekche".
"Ei media ke sorte bolun….apnara douroben na…..Only team dourobe, apnara douroben na bole dilam!!"
“Sob dorshokra, apnader bolchi…apnara sobai gaiben dhitang dhitang bole ar ekhane Shahrukh ar Jeet player der niye nachbe...naach suru korun”
“Ei tomra bajna bajao….…..Dev apnio asun….sobai sore jaan era nachbe….aj amra saradin enjhoy korbo”...............
