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TRICITY EXPLODES IN TRICOLOUR TRIUMPH
Chandigarh, March 30 Thousands of fans elsewhere in the tricity took to the streets to celebrate the Indian victory choking the city roads, particularly the Sector 35 hotel chain and the Sector 22 Aroma Chowk, giving the police a tough time. At some places, the police had to resort to a mild lathi charge to control fans and clear traffic jams. A host of celebrities, including UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, who was watching the final moments of the match with her son and party general secretary, Rahul Gandhi, were visibly delighted. The win also brought smiles on the faces of Bollywood stars Aamir Khan, Preity Zinta and Suneil Shetty and business tycoon Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani and UB Group chairman Vijay Mallya.
The hotels and shops in Sector 35 did a brisk business after 9.30 pm after Team India started moving towards victory. At the Aroma traffic junction, fans converged on the road fluttering the Tricolour. Restaurant owners in Sector 26 complained of considerable loss of business as Madhya Marg was closed due to VVIP movement. They lamented that without any notice, the police closed the parking in front of restaurants and showrooms.
PM, Gilani leave city
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani flew out of Chandigarh shortly after midnight after the match.
Lathi-charge on fans
The police had to resort to a mild lathi charge to clear traffic jams on roads around the Aroma lights in Sectors 22, 34, 35 and 17 and Sector 18
Fun turns tragic
Prabhjot Singh (19) died following a head injury when he was leaning out of a moving car while celebrating India’s win in Mohali.
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Sonia, Rahul mingle with ‘aam aadmi’
Mohali, March 30 The duo sat there for over 45 minutes and celebrated every knock out by the Indian squad. Elated, the fans vied with one another to capture the duo in their cameras as the SPG commandos surrounding them did not let anyone get near. For a few seconds, the attention of the fans was diverted towards them. It is learnt that Rahul Gandhi had announced that he wanted to see the match among the spectators in the general stands.
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Cops’ day out!
Mohali, March 30 Several policemen in the stadium were repeatedly getting messages on their wireless sets to go back to their designated locations.
— TNS
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India should be polio free in 3 yrs: Rotary
Chandigarh, March 30 “As per our estimation, India will be the first of the four countries (the campaign is active in Nigeria, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India) to be declared polio-free,” Klinginsmith told IANS. Rotary International will formally declare India a polio-free country within the next three years, he said. About the success of the ‘Polio-free India’ campaign, he pointed out: “There has been only a single case of polio reported in India over the last 11 months.” “In Nigeria, which has been the most highly affected country with polio so far, we have managed to bring the number down to 21 this year,” said Klinginsmith who was on a short visit to the city. Rotary International is one of the biggest service club organisations with over 1.2 million members in 33,000 clubs worldwide. The polio eradication project was initiated by the organisation in 1979 wherein more than 600,000 children were immunised against polio in the Philippines. The immunisations were followed in other Asian and African nations. In 1988, Unicef and WHO joined the campaign. — IANS
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Patriotic expression manifested itself on the faces and bodies of cheering fans ahead of the match in the tricity gripped with cricket fever
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Lensmen Manoj Mahajan, Nitin Mittal and Vicky Gharu capture the historic movement when cricket melted the border & political executives got together for a day in the city. Most VVIPs, including Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan, Manmohan Singh and Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, respectively, and some Bollywood stars reached the stadium well before the start of the match at 2.30 pm. The two roads, reserved for VVIP movement, were cordoned off since morning and nobody was allowed even to stand along these roads throughout the day.
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All roads led to the PCA Stadium as hundreds of fans from different parts of the country, attired in traditional outfits and sporting the Tricolour descended there to watch the high-voltage semifinal match of the ICC World Cup. Excitement to see the archrivals clash reached its crescendo as fans started queuing up outside the PCA gates, eager to push their way into the stadium the moment the gates were thrown open. Much to the annoyance of the fans, the PCA authorities opened gates around 11 am, resulting in queues especially outside gates Nos. 4, 5, 6, 11 and 14. The queue of fans outside gate No. 11 meandered through the residential area, causing inconvenience to the residents living in the vicinity of the stadium. However, the flow at the VIP gates was manageable as visitors trickled in groups. The police had a tough time guiding confused visitors who shuttled between one gate to the other, covered by different levels of security. Around 1 pm, mounted police showed up to control the crowd outside gate No. 6 followed by a mild cane-charge. Due to the multi-level security, fans were frisked thrice before being seated. Due to the tough security arrangements, the police also faced problems in pushing in their “guests” who could not procure tickets.
Bird’s eye view
Unable to secure entry to the stadum, a number of fans climbed atop the ChandHousing Board building in Phase X to have a glimpse of the match.
SA fans bat for India
Some South African fans, dressed in traditional Indian dress, had come all the way from Johannesburg to cheer for the Indian team. They said they were keen to see the final between India and Sri Lanka.
No ticket for Pak curator
Head curator of Pakistan Cricket Board Haji M Bashir, who travelled all the way from Lahore to meet the PCA curator, returned disappointed as he was unable to get a ticket. Before leaving the stadium, he said the pitch was going to spring some surprises. He was putting up with a friend in Sector 15, Chandigarh.
Fake tickets
At least 46 fake ticket-holders were sent back as their tickets were not accepted by the machine installed at the stadium. However, fans with fake tickets claimed that their tickets were authentic.
Kashmir support for Pak
Four Kashmiri students, who are pursuing their studies in Mohali and Delhi, were seen cheering for the Pakistan team. Shiek Babbar and Jahangir, doing MBA from an institute in Mohali, and Sohail and Shahid, pursuing studies in Delhi, rooted for the Pakistani team. However, they refused to articulate why they liked the Pakistan team.
Drumming up support
17 “dholis”were brough in the stadium to entertain the public. The team led by Gurmeet made the spectators dance to the beat of the “dhol” each time the ball went past the fence.
Mixed bag for Pak visitors
Even as a number of Pakistan fans were bowled over by the Indian hospitality , some looked visibly annoyed by the repeated requests made by the print and television media for their reaction to the outcome of the match. Some were seen making an effort to strike a friendship with Indian fans by exchanging the Pakistan national flag with the Indian Tricolour.
VIP treatment for
Pakistan fans
Pakistan fans were seen given a VIP treatment. The visitors were given direct entry to their respective gates without having them to wait in queues.
Smooth entry for fans
Unlike previous international ties, today’s high-octane semifinal turned out to be a smooth affair as far as gaining entry to the stadium was concerned. Where many of the previous international ties and Indian Premier League matches had witnessed high-handedness (even lathicharge) of the Punjab Police, fans did not face much difficulty this time around. By 1.30 pm, most fans were in their seats, preparing to witness the match. Only two stands — students’ block and VIP block —witnessed long queues even at 2.30 pm.
Rowdyism missing
Surprisingly, rowdy elements were missing this time around. All spectators, standing in queues in front of various blocks of the stadium, including the lowest priced one —students’ block — were seemingly from well-to-do families. The black marketing of tickets was the primary reason behind the trend, said a policeman on duty.
Special bus for Sukhbir’s friends
Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal’s friend and guests were given special treatment as a special bus was seen making a halt to drop the “special” spectators just outside their respective gates. The bus was escorted by personal security of the Deputy CM.
Cops go without food, water
Most policemen were seen complaining that they were not served food and water. “We were told that all arrangements of serving meals and water have been made. Just look at, it is around 1.30 pm and I am still waiting for my breakfast. And if you ask about water, we are depending on the water bottles from spectators,” said an assistant sub-inspector of Punjab Police.
Yuvi disappoints
There was a pin-drop silence in the stadium when local hero Yuvraj Singh was bowled out for zero. “I don’t believe this. I came to see my star (Yuvi) in action but he has disappointed me,” said Sukshi Mahajan, a diehard Yuvi fan.
Hoax caller in police net
The Chandigarh Police identified the hoax caller who called the police control room on March 27, claiming that a bomb has been planted in PCA Stadium. The accused has been identified as 19-year-old Kulwant Singh, alias Goldy, a resident of Pingalwara - a home for the destitute - in Pulsora. During interrogation, Kulwant Singh said he was playing a prank and had little knowledge of the match. The police said Kulwant’s father was mentally unstable and had been staying at the Pingalwara for the past five years ever since he (Kulwant) was 14.
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When city came to a standstill As India took on Pakistan in the World Cup semifinal, the city wore a deserted look as some residents thronged the PCA Stadium in Mohali, while many remained glued to the TV to witness one of the biggest cricketing events on Wednesday.
Traffic chaos...... & emptiness
It was a day of traffic chaos as all roads leading from Chandigarh to the PCA Stadium witnessed snarl-ups much before the start of the World Cup semifinal match between India and Pakistan today. A huge traffic jam was witnessed outside Hotel Taj in Sector 17 and the road near the Matka Chowk on the Madhya Marg due to VVIP movement. The rush was heaviest at the time the Pakistan Prime Minister arrived at the hotel and also when the two teams set out for Mohali amidst tight security. The entire 15-km stretch leading from the Chandigarh airport to Hotel Taj and Punjab Raj Bhawan to the PCA Stadium was guarded by armed security personnel deployed on the both sides of the road. In all, 5,000 security personnel were pressed into service, which included around 3,000 commandos of the paramilitary forces. Jams were witnessed on the road leading from the airport to the intersection separating Sector 31 and Industrial Area, along roads separating Sectors 31/47 and 32/46, road separating Sectors 45/46 and 49/50 leading to the PCA Stadium. Besides, chaos prevailed on the roads separating Sectors 6/7, 5/8, 4/9 and 9/10 trafficlights and Matka Chowk in the morning as traffic was diverted due to VIP movement.
Babus play truant
The semifinal clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan took its toll on attendance in government offices, especially during the second half, today. A majority of babus, including senior officials, played truant while those present were hooked to television sets installed in officers’ cabins. During a visit to the UT Secretariat, Sector 9, municipal corporation office and estate office in Sector 17, it was found that a majority of employees were on casual leave. At the office of the Registration and Licensing Authority, Sector 17, employees combined work with pleasure as they watched the match on an LCD screen besides doing the routine office work. It was a gala time for the clerical and class IV employees in government offices as they were able to watch the match in the absence of their bosses who were “on duty”, looking after the Indian and Pakistan dignitaries watching the match.
VIPs bypass rules
“Kash mere papa bhi Punjab Police mein hote toh mai bhi free mein entry leta bina line mein lage” (I wish my father was in the Punjab Police. Then I would have gained a free entry into the stadium, without having to stand in the queue. VIP brats and cops’ relatives were seen given free entry without going through the security check. Senior police officers were seen facilitating smooth entry for their friends and wards at gate Nos 7 and 9.
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“Bharat mata ki jai,” “see you in Mumbai” and “chak de India” rent the air with fans going berserk celebrating the victory with beer and liquor, besides bhangra and the bursting of crackers.
A handy Rs 200 for painting five little flags in one minute! Artists made a quick buck by fleecing fans in the absence of any check on them outside the stadium. As soon as fans from Delhi disembarked from Volvo buses near the PUDA office parking, artists surrounded them and started painting the Tricolour on their faces, forehead and forearms without seeking prior approval. The visitors at first thought that some voluntary organisation had engaged the artists but were in for a shock when the artists demanded
Rs250 for the same. Six Tricolour bangles were sold for Rs 50, while those of Pakistan were available for
Rs 55. Hundreds of persons all along the YPS chowk to the stadium signalled fans to buy the Tricolour. Small Tricolours were sold for
Rs 200, while the 4’x 6’ flags were sold for Rs 1,000. Caps, which were available in the market for
Rs 50, were being sold for Rs 300.
God bless cricket
Unlike previous international ties, today’s high-octane semifinal turned out to be a smooth affair as far as gaining entry to the stadium was concerned. Where many of the previous international ties and Indian Premier League matches had witnessed high-handedness (even lathicharge) of the Punjab Police, fans did not face much difficulty this time around. By 1.30 pm, most fans were in their seats, preparing to witness the match. Only two stands — students’ block and VIP block — witnessed long queues even at 2.30 pm.
Adapting to the need of the hour, child beggars, giving a day’s rest to God, stalked fans, asking for alms in the name of India and Pakistan. While they tried to woo Indian fans saying: “India ki jay
ho.Rs 15 de de to Dhoni chakke marega (Hail India. GiveRs 15 and Dhoni will hit sixes).” They went to Pakistan fans, urging them to give
Rs 50 to see them beat India on their soil. The children refused to take anything below
Rs10 and proved to be a big nuisance for already agitated fans.
