Vidilhou Suohu
I think most of us saw the recently held cricket world cup final at Wankhede Stadium- Mumbai. The game was a true professional show for the crowd where all players were at their ‘best’. I however did not pay much attention to the Lankans, since I was anticipating the cup for ‘The Men in Blue.’ The first halve was great- watching the bowlers doing everything to pick wickets. Bhajji couldn’t put up a show for ‘The Doosra.’ The magnificentfielding to cut runs and make an easy chase did quite well for some spell of overs. Some loopholes however did good for the Lankans to a fairly good total. Sachin and Sehwag, then walked in with their helmets and guards on. I rubbed my hands (thinking Chalo India, Dikha do), cleared all the coffee mugs and saucers around (not to hear my wife say- being excited doesn’t mean you’d break them!). ‘The Slinga’ came running in with that fashionable hair. Too sorry for the “Upar cut” champ to get back with a duck. Sachin’s turn to be sent back by Slinga again. Roars just cooled around the stadium for a time. I thought to myself – chalo yaar, har- jeet to hota hi hain- and was just about to switch off when I saw Mr.Fungshuk Wangroo still up and waving the National flag. Ahaa… I watched him for some time when suddenly there was a boundary by Gambhir. I sat down again to watch. My Country- just four runs to winning the trophy — and there goes the CUPTAN (captain) with the “helicopter shot” for a SIXER.
These, I watched in silence —– there were tears of one dream fulfilled, controlled tears for winning the cup after 37 years, pumped-up chest for being the captain of the winning team, the wife of a cricketer finally showing up her face to the camera man, the VIP/VVIP lounge – all eyes on whom to pick for the Indian Premier League, wives- girlfriends tracking their buddies, the kiss of the trophy, theshower of champagne and the declaration from the BCCI.
These, I pictured for my Nagaland: – ‘IF’ cricket fever was the same in Nagaland and ‘Team’ India were all Nagas. Each member would beearning 25 lacs, the coach 50 lacs and each player earning 1crore, rather than being a member of some politicized civil society, or a self-styled coach leading the team to Europe, Korea, Thailand etc, or a player for votes during the end of the five year term. ABBA is outdated but Lady Gaga gets into every car with that dhuk-dhuk music and shower the inmates with Fosters-MC’s — a perfect combination on a Sunday afternoon. The bridge kind structures on some junctions around the capital are a beauty after sunset and if parents didn’t know about it, they’re not wrong in saying “ami laga bachha inike kaam nakoria” when the ultrasound reveals she is not alone. Wives/girlfriends need to keep track of their buddies because the latest census shows a decrease in the State population. Chopper services introduced, but a service from ministers hill to the Secretariat is out of dream(s) because ‘they’ want to be watched for the full five year term. For many – to have one – is a big “ ? ” but the Assam Rifles, the CRPF and now even the BRO go behind their pilot car filled with those wireless gadgets, bigger siren and red flags even larger to that of our mantris and give a military power show. Mr. Fungshuk Wangroo (the scientist from the movie 3 idiots) may help if we approach him for the common people.
These, I felt is the ground reality. Work culture – long lost. Unemployment – a major problem, to erase the stubborn ‘HOILEBI’ from us – impossible, to earn the easy way – deep rooted in our minds, to exploit ones beauty to achieve ends — kind of fashion, to work and strife with a vision – seldom come across these days, integrity- its meaning lost.
My eyes just popped open, got this flashback of what Professor ‘X’ told me during my university days- “….. a leap from the Neolithic Age to the wave of industrial revolution, “you” couldn’t handle the “SHIFT.” …… not playing the blame game, but to open a platform for THE solution.”
I strongly believe two civilizations cannot go hand in hand. Either tradition(s) or westernization / modernization. Simply aping the West will do no good so as with traditions. I quote, … “drinking one or two cups of rice beer occasionally is good for our health.” I again quote, … “We are a Christian State and there is no room for traditions.” These are the words of two senior citizens, both Christians and of the same denomination, of the same generation, respected and living till date. These shows, the siblings of the two will have different opinions and so for the third.
The world cup LIVE telecast got over. India won and I was one of the many happy Indians that evening. My emotions- I did not care to let go and knowing that some of my favorite players will be replaced by the youngsters in the next world cup, I just jumped off the bed (like the Sixer hit with “CONFIDENCE”) and shouted YYYEEEEESSSSS…….. waking up my wife and children.