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Sunday,
March 7, 2004
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It’s
cricket, not war
The upcoming
India-Pakistan series has stirred tremendous interest. The Tribune team
of Abhijit Chatterjee, Ajay Banerjee, Varinder Walia, Shiv Kumar, M.S.
Unnikrishnan and Raman Mohan take a look at the expectations and flurry
of activity that the tour has unleashed
Driven by passion
Abhijit Chatterjee
THERE
are great expectations from Saurav Ganguly and his men in blue. The
Indian cricket team embarks this week on what is being described on both
sides of the border as a historic tour of Pakistan, the most hyped tour
team since the creation of the country in 1947. And for the first time
in his career, the Indian captain will not only have to lead a band of
cricketers who, barring Sachin Tendulkar, have never toured Pakistan
before, but also act, and talk, like a suave diplomat.
Powered
by money
Shiv Kumar
PAKISTAN
is certainly shining for Indian marketers who are crossing the Line of
Control to peddle their wares from the cricket grounds of Lahore,
Karachi, Peshawar, Multan and Rawalpindi. Hero
Honda was the first to cross the Wagah border, with the Munjals pumping
in $ 1.49 million for the privilege of co-sponsoring the event.
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Amritsar is all agog
Varinder Walia
THE
district administration offices in this frontline city are flooded with
queries from sports lovers here who are eager to see their favourite
cricketers pitched against arch-rival Pakistan. Visas, accommodation,
tickets and travel arrangements are what they want to know about.
Settling
scores
Ajay Banerjee
REMEMBER
Pakistani batsman Zaheer Abbas with his trademark white handkerchief
wrapped around his neck during the days of black and white television
and when Doordarshan used to telecast matches directly. He never seemed
to get out and went on to score a truckload of runs, at least on
Pakistani soil.
Preparing the pitch
M.S. Unnikrishnan
NEVER
before in the history of Indian sports has a tour kicked up so much
political dust. This is only to be accepted as the Indian cricket tour
of Pakistan comes after a gap of 14 years. The Indian team were
expected to make a return visit, after Pakistan, captained by Wasim
Akram, toured India in 1996.
The
tough get going
Ajay Banerjee
IT
is an optimistic Indian team that would be setting out for Pakistan on
March 10. The 38-day trip is going to be demanding and pressure is bound
to build up. However, pressure like this can lead to individuals giving
their best. This time, the Indian team is stronger than any of our
previous teams.
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Bets, bookies
and bhaav |
Ajay Banerjee
IT
is the dark underside of cricket which cannot be brushed away. Crores of
rupees are placed on bets on cricket games. Already bookies and punters
are rubbing their hands at the prospect of the historic clash between
Indian and Pakistan. |
Raman Mohan
THE
cricket betting industry is looking forward to reviving its fortunes in
the forthcoming Indo-Pak series. This industry has been passing through
a difficult period recently because of a number of factors.
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Militant Majha’s tender imprint on textiles
Divya A.
THE Majha
region o Punjab may have hogged headlines in the past for being the
hotbed of militancy but these days it’s making waves in the world of
fashion for its rich textile designs. Once a breeding ground of
militancy, it now nurtures and promotes the tender artistic tradition of
the area.
Bush
larks and red munias
Baljit Singh
NOTHING
is ever replicated in nature; no two sun rises are alike, neither the
sight of a silk cotton tree in full bloom under a full moon nor the
muffled sound of a mountain stream can be the same. One knows the ways
of nature and yet never ceases to hope and look for a replay of the
favourite sight, sound or experience.
Lording
over Oscar nite
Ervell E. Menezes
IT
happened, as expected. Lord of the Rings : The Return of the King
swept the Oscars. After all, it was the third in the Lord of the
Rings trilogy and they kept it for the finale in typical Hollywood
style. But did it have to be so predictable ?
Goldie:
Guide for new filmmakers
Devinder Bir Kaur
HIS
name commanded respect. He was a trusted filmmaker who regaled cinegoers
with films that were as flawless and priceless as Guide, Tere Mere
Sapne, Taxi Driver, Jewel Thief, Teesri Manzil and Johnny Mera
Naam, to name a few. Vijay, aka Goldie, the kid brother of stalwarts
Chetan Anand and Dev Anand, was indeed an ace filmmaker, much ahead of
his times.
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