On Friday, a similar search had Google suggesting if you wanted information on a certain Sachin Tendulkar.
At the Haryana village this morning, a black BMW arrived from New Delhi and made its way to the Canal river rest house run by the Haryana irrigation department, leading to a sudden jump in excitement levels.
In normal circumstances, given the affluence in north India, a BMW wouldn't lead to raised eyebrows. But on this occasion, the streets came alive to wave at the vehicle that carried Tendulkar to the 10-room building's VIP suite, where the master batsman will be staying this week.
It would've perhaps given any politician's self-esteem a serious jolt had he been watching the phenomenon. With posters of Tendulkar pasted on every possible space available, kids and elders waving with smile on their faces, the daily drudgery of small-town India was forgotten by its people. Cart-pullers and hawkers set their businesses aside to have a look at the man as Lahli woke up and wrapped itself with the Tendulkar dream.
The spectacle that this quaint little town had been waiting for had finally arrived.
The Chaudhary Bansi Lal Stadium is getting decked like a hot-shot marriage is on the cards this week. Walls are being re-painted, floors being re-laid, fresh curtains have been ordered, the gymnasium is being refurbished and the stadium premises are being cross-checked for every space that is available where local authorities can hang a Tendulkar portrait.
There's one that has Tendulkar celebrating a century a little too aggressively and a lion roaring - both in the same frame. The purity of such fan-following that could easily find itself lost in much of urban India is alive here.
"Sachin is an international player and we cannot take any chance when we are hosting his match. He could ask for anything at the last minute and we do not want to cut a sorry figure at that time. Therefore, we have renovated our old gym and added new machines. His portraits, ranging from his early cricketing days have been put up in dressing rooms, gym and indoor practice hall," said a senior Haryana cricket association official.
A bowling machine has been set-up especially for the man. Though clouds aren't particularly hovering over here but what if it rains on Saturday? "Work is on at war-scale at the stadium to ensure Sachin feels at home and plays freely. We have made arrangements for both indoor and outdoor practice sessions," said Anirudh Chaudhary, Haryana Cricket Association (HCA) secretary and BCCI treasurer.
The idea is to ensure that Tendulkar has Lahli in his mind forever, long after he calls it a day. For that, even the chef in the government rest house has kept his menu ready. "We've heard that his food may come from Delhi but if he prefers to have it here, it would be as per his choice. We would be happy if he tastes the Paneer Makhan Masala, Karhi Pakoda and Chicken Tikka," said the cooks.
This week, the world may cease to exist for people of Lahli and the surrounding towns and villages. The Sachin Tendulkar show is on.
The man who's had billions in awe of him, now has Lahli in his spell too.
0 comments:
Post a Comment