Jalandhar, April 8
Having won the hearts of millions of cricket lovers across the country by exhibiting his prowess in the recently concluded series against Australia, the new star on the cricket horizon, Harbhajan is back home among his people, who displayed true Punjabi spirit to extend a grand welcome to the hero amid beats of “dhol” and bhangra.

The Jalandhar railway station wore a festive look since morning as cricket enthusiasts and Harbhajan fans decked it like a bride. Flower-laden vehicles were prepared to receive Harbhajan, who finally descended from the Shatabdi Express at around 12.15 p.m. With a broad smile Harbhajan proudly displayed his Man of the Series trophy for the crowd. Harbhajan, his mother Avtaar Kaur and cousin Kartar Singh, who had accompanied him from Delhi, were taken to an open jeep waiting outside.

A commotion was created as all wanted to say a few words to their hero. The security personnel had to step in and tried to form a human ring around him. People eager to reach their idol, jostled with each other for space paying little heed to the policemen. A frowning Harbhajan finally had to intervene and asked, “What is happening here. Why you people are behaving like this?” The question worked and people gave way to him and the securitymen, who were trying to form a cordon around him. 

The Tribune, talked to a few of Harbhajan’s supporters. Mr S.A. Ahmed of the Adampur Air Force Station said he waited for Harbhajan at the railway station for more than an hour. Ms Shally, another cricket lover, said she had been praying to God for Harbhajan’s success and God had answered her prayer.

Rejoicing at his elevation in the cricket world, youngsters danced ‘Bhangra’ to the foot-tapping beats of “dhol”, and as the procession passed through the city, people came out to have a look and join in. Shopkeepers, who are otherwise busy at the time, came out with marigold garlands to greet Harbhajan. It took about two hours for the procession to finally reach Harbhajan’s home, where people had converged in big number. Greetings, “Balle oye mundiya kamaal kar ditta. Hero ban giya hero”, were heard all around as Avtaar Kaur and other ladies of the neighbourhood hugged a tired-looking Harbhajan again and again.

Talking to The Tribune, Harbhajan said: “Had my father Sardev Singh been alive today, he would have felt elated at my success and could have seen thousands of people greeting his son. My joy would also have doubled in his company.” In a choked voice he continued: “The key to my success is the cooperation and love showered upon me by my family and coach Davinder Arora.” 

Talking about his record hat-trick, Harbhajan, said earlier he had got near to hat-trick on a few occasions, “but this time I had resolved to do something.” His inspiration for the hat-trick had come from Pak spinner Mushtaq and Muttiah Murlidharan of Sri Lanka, he said.