Luisao, the Brazilian national defender to play for Chirag

It has been a good hunting for Chirag as far as foreigners are concerned. They have roped Josimar da Silva Martins, 24 year Brazilian who plays in the striker position.

Chirag’s Brazilian Physio Djair Garcia has helped to get Josimar on their rolls. Josimar comes from National AC, Sao Paulo, and has earlier played in Russia.

If you thought that Josimar is the only catch, then you are absolutely wrong, hold your breath, it is the star defender Luisao, who has just represented Brazil in the successful Confederations Cup mission, is all set to play in the next I League.

27-years old Luisao currently plays for Benfica, Portugal.



If you have taken the later part of this article seriously, then you are at your own risk. Call it an early or a belated fool’s day celebration!

Djair and Luisao’s are family friends and they used stay in the same neighborhood in Sao Paulo. Luisao made a visit to Djair’s family last week, where they exchanged their jerseys.

On a serious note
Luisao is a very polite and simple person. He sincerely believes in the success of Indian football and wants to be a part of the Indian football in near future.

Karnataka footballer attempts suicide, dies in hospital

Our apathy towards sportsperson resurfaced yet again. In a shocking incident on Friday night, city footballer, A Ravindran, popularly known as Velu, attempted suicide by consuming poison. He was rushed to the nearby private hospital. After battling for life in the ICU, Velu was declared dead on Saturday, July 6.

Velu was on the rolls of Controllerate of Inspection Electronics (CIL), now known as Centre for Quality Assurance of Electronics and Radar Development (CQAL & R) as a guest player. He had turned out for this team in the Bangalore District Football Division (BDFA) super division league for many seasons.

A tenth-grader Velu was frustrated with life. In his suicidal note, he had mentioned of not having a decent job and marriage. He had also alleged his former CIL coach, Shayam Shahi, for a false job promise.

Velu first represented Karnataka in 1998, later he was offered a contract job at the CIL canteen, which he left after a year.

Bangalore football in poor state

This incident again highlights the poor condition of the local footballers. Football in Bangalore is dominated by the Public Sector Undertakings (PSU) teams. These teams are cash-trapped with minimal or no budget allocated to the team. Few soccer-enthusiast officials run the show.

The better players migrate to a different club outside Bangalore, the rest settles down by playing as a guest player with meagre pay, and the frustrated ones end their life.

High time to think about the players who bring laurels to the club, state, and country. All is needed is a job security.

Officials speak

Karnataka State Football Association (KSFA) officials said that the entire incident is bad for the state football. However, they stood by the former CIL coach, Shayam Shahi. Incidentally, Shahi has been associated with the game for many years in Bangalore in the capacity of a manager, coach, and football official. He has trained many footballers.

Xavier Vijaykumar, Captain, HAL:
My deepest condolences to Velu’s family! May his sould rest in peace.

I’ve played with him in the under-21 and –19 tournaments. He was a robust footballer, utility player who was accustomed to play in all positions, be it defence, mid-field, or striker.

He used to think a lot about the game and wanted to be associated with it even after retirement. It is sad that we are loosing such players.

Ateast a decent job should have prevented him from doing such an act. I am told that he was promised for some job, however, I am not going to the authenticity of this information.

Velu played for CIL for many years and also captained last season, rather that waiting here, maybe he should have looked for other opportunities, that too when he was at his prime time.

A.R. Khaleel, President, KSFA:
Paying 500-600 per month is no good, players should be paid enough so that they can lead a decent life, atleast 3000 per month.

Simple solution to this is that the government or PSU, who run their football teams should change their policy on channelizing the talents. Since 80’s funds stopped coming to these teams.

To run a football team in Bangalore, you need a minimum budget of 50 to 80 lakhs per year. When the team displays a good performance at the top-level, the mileage an organization gets is enormous; many times more than the football budget.

I could see HAL trying to manage their team professionally. Also, Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) and Kolar Gold Fields (KGF), Bangalore putting up a good effort.

Shayam Shahi, former coach, CIL and official, CIL:
Velu was hard working and was very good in speed and stamina, however, he was not a skillful player. He was ambitious but at the same time he was a short-tempered player.

Some wards told me that he was planning to end his life, however, we never paid heed to it.

When I first got the news, I could not believe it! I’ll try to help the family in my best possible capacity.

Gumpe Rime moves out of HAL

Bangalore’s loss is Shillong’s gain. On the quest for the Bangalore footballers looking for greener pastures, here is the latest. Veteran custodian, Gumpe Rime is shifting his base. Come next season, he will don colors of newly promoted first division I-league team, Shillong Lajong FC.

Gumpe confirmed this news while speaking over phone.

“My main motivation in this game is to play at the highest level, I had a great time playing for HAL, but I would definitely like to be a part of a first division I-league team.” says Gumpe.

Pune Football Club – on the right track…

When I look at the progression of Pune Football Club (FC), one question always comes to my mind – after qualifying for the first division I-league, now what?

Within second year of formation, Pune FC has been promoted to the first division I-league. This indeed is a commendable achievement. My recent trip to Pune provided me an opportunity to visit their office and ask the officials about the same.

Backed by a corporate partner, Pune FC is probably the only club that runs a professional football club in India. In the era of professionalizing Indian football, one would get a true sense of how a professional club operates, when you visit their facility at Pune.

The reception center was flooded with youths that have come to enroll themselves for the under-17 trials.

Dr. Ashok Kumar, who is the general manager of Pune FC, since its inception shared his views about the team composition for the coming season and nurturing local talents as a part of the youth development program.

The team is almost set, however, the players list could not be disclosed until the official formalities are done. But definitely national keeper Subrata Paul is the prize catch. Team management is also finalizing the quota of overseas players. 3+1 formation (three overseas players plus one from the Asian origin) has provided them an opportunity to look out for a top quality Asian player.

New coach, Derrick Perrira has taken charge of the team. He has met the players, prepared training schedule, and handed over the schedule to each of the players. This will ensure that the players keep themselves fit during off-season.

Pune FC, will kick-off the training session in the first week of July. Two newly-laid pitches are prepared near Hinjewadi, outskirts of Pune. Come this season, the team will be practicing there. Later, July 13, they will move to Goa for the preconditioning camp. This training would involve practicing in the artificial pitches.

As a preparation to I-League, the team is pinning hopes on participating in the Western India Football Association (WIFA) initiated Maharashtra State league. This league would provide exposure to play with the top teams in the state. “I am hopeful the state league starts in this season”. Adds Dr. Ashok.

Later Pune FC will be participating in the IFA Shield, Durand Cup, and Federation Cup. This should give the team to play at least 9-10 matches. “Good built-up for going to the main stage – I-league”, recons Dr. Askhok Kumar.

“Team is mostly likely going to play their I-league home matches at the Balewadi Sports complex”, confirms Chirag Tanna. Only concern is the distance that the fans needs to travel, as the Balewadi Sports complex falls in one corner of the city

Pune FC is emphasizing a lot on youth development program. This year they are introducing an under-17 team, they already have under-15 and under-19 teams on board. However, team management felt that there is an utmost need to bridge the gap, hence forming a team for the intermediate level. There are not many tournaments for the under-15 team, once they come out of the age group, it becomes difficult to retain the skills till under-19 level.

The new under-17 team will ensure that the talent is not gone lost, they will be smoothly transitioned to under-19, and finally they will be graduated to play for the senior team. The current senior teams boasts of two such under-19 players. Also, the new under-17 team will participate in the local league B division.

Norbert Gonsalves is heading the youth development program, ably supported by former Pune FC player, Gift Raikan. The youth development program is fully focused on spotting local talents.
Professional outlook towards the game has not yet come here. But the Pune lads are intelligent and possess good game sense. However, they don’t take the game seriously at the later stage. Hopefully, the youth development initiatives would do a world of good to the rookies, and they too can dream of making it big to the national and international level.

The team footballers are slowly getting recognized among the masses, thanks for the consistent good show over the last year. Numbers of enrollments for the age group team trials are doubled this year.

All set for a bright football season!

Bangalore footballers looking for greener pastures

This is what happens when you don’t have a team from Bangalore in the national level. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), who missed the second division I-League bus in the recently concluded season due to not conforming to the AIFF guidelines will soon loose some of their important players in the next season.

Thanks to their good performance in the ongoing Santosh Trophy, striker Dada Nabeel, mid-fielder Goutam Debnath, and defender Sumit Thapa are all set to join the premier division I-League clubs.

“I don’t see any problem, this was bound to happen”, says prominent football coach Andrews sir. “In this professional era, players would definitely want to earn more; this is the time for them to play and earn in a national level. They could not participate in the second divion I-League last season, and unsure about the coming season. So, I reckon this is a right decision.”

Andrews sir also adds, “Club management should look to it that their team is able to play the top-ranked national-level tournaments and ensure that their team conforms to the guidelines. Unfortunately, most of the city clubs are from the public sector, and public sector clubs functions unlike the other top-ranked football clubs”.

“Leaving HAL, I don’t see any team at par with the teams in the national scene. So you don’t really improve your game by only playing in the local league. When you go out, play in the national-level tournaments, you feel the difference, and then you raise your standard.”

HAL captain, Xaview VijayKumar opines that their team will not be weakened by the departure of these players. “We are in the process of making a good team for the coming season. Team management is working in tandem with the state and the district association to ensure our participation in the second division I-League, and I am sure we will be back with a bang in this season”.

“HAL football team is totally dependent on the sanctioned football budget. We can’t afford to pay high salary to the players, so they are bound to look for better growth.”

Asking about his own plans, Xavier says that he is very much a part of the HAL football team. “I am open to play for short stints, possibly on a loan, provided my club permits”. Xavier grins.

Football scene in Bangalore

If you thought that India’s success in clinching its maiden Nehru Gold Cup and qualifying for the Asian cup after a gap of 24 years has lifted the enthusiasm for football in the country, then you are completely wrong.

Football is still played in few areas in the country. And in those areas where the game is played, the local governing body finds it extremely difficult to run the show – sponsors, infrastructure, fighting between two governing bodies, you name it!

Amidst such a mess, you will still find few servants of the game working effortlessly nurturing talents. These rare breeds’ keeps a very low profile, stays away from murky politics of the game, and works with the sole aim to dish out football talents to the state and country.

One such rare breed is Bangalore-based C Thyaga Rajan, ex ITI footballer and Sri Kempe Gowda Awardee. He is running Sri Nandhan Football Coaching Camp for last 27 years.

But before I go on talking about him and his contribution towards the game, let’s understand Bangalore’s contribution in Indian football.

History
IT capital of India is no stranger to football. Olympians Raman, Kannaiah, Shanmugham, and J Anthony were part of the 1948 and 1952 Olympics football contingent. Arumainayagam who dominated the national scene in the sixties and Ulganathan in the seventies all belonged to this city. Not to forget Shanmuham Venkatesh, Carlton Chapman, Noel Wilson, R C Prakash, the list is endless.

The city used to host a top national-level tourney, Stafford Cup and the rivalry between the top teams Indian Telephone Industries (ITI) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) would bring in many frenzied fans to the stadium. Alas, Stafford Cup is stopped for many years and ITI has closed their football team. No team from the city is competing in the 1st division I-League as HAL got relegated couple for years ago. Situation is more compounded when the public sector enterprises like NGEF, BEL, BHEL, BEML, ADA, ADE, HMT, and MEG have stopped recruitment in the sports quota.

Present
Its amazing to see how these cantonment areas in India has emerged to a melting pot of sports, especially in football. I could easily name two cities, Pune and Bangalore. You will always find a group of kids playing football in areas like Khadki and Ghorpadi in Pune. And how could you forget Bangalore’s Austin town, considered to be the nursery of Bangalore football. Right from the era of playing the game in bare feet to modern day, Austin Town has always produced quality players who have made our country proud.

If you happen to be in the city and by any chance visit Austin Town football ground, (better known as Nandan ground) during evenings, you will found group of kids practicing football under watchful eyes of an elderly gentleman. Well that’s Thyaga Rajan for you, tirelessly doing it since 1981.

Thyaga Rajan focuses on nurturing young talents and feels there are enough of such talents around Austin Town. Sadly, he points out that the city boasts of so many footballers of international repute, but seldom have they come out to train these kids.

These kids come from very poor background and can’t afford to buy their own kits. Putting his own money and sometimes taking help from his old students Thyaga Rajan continues his show. He encourages them to continue studies, as he says, “During my times, there were ITI and many other enterprises who would offer job to the footballers. Nowadays, it is impossible to get a job under sports quota, so it is very important be educated.”

“Until you make it to the top level, there is no financial security.” He urges that the IT should step forward to take up sponsorship.

For the recently concluded season, none of the Bangalore teams were seen participating in the I-League, not even in the second division.

HAL who was relegated from the first I-Leages dominates the local football scene. However, they missed the chance to participate in the second division, as they could not conform to the guidelines set by AFC and AIFF.

One has to understand the fact that most of the football teams in Bangalore are from the public sector. The public sector football teams functions in a different way, unlike the other privately managed football clubs. At times following the guidelines takes too long and by the time the formalities are completed, you have gone past the scheduled date.

This exactly happended with HAL and the football lovers of Bangalore were deprived of watching their team participatig in the national level.

Whats next…
Needless to say that there was a communication gap betteween AIFF and HAL management team in the last season. It seems that the HAL management team has leant from their previous mistakes. They are more careful this time and ensuring that all the formalities and the requirements are met in well advance. Also, the state body is ably supporting their cause.

The feud between the state and the district association that delayed last season’s local league is also sorted out. The football lovers of the garden city will be able to see their favorite teams’ game much early this time.

BiPaSa

In the context of the coming election when exercising electoral franchise, this is what a voter would look at:

BiPaSa - Bijli Paani Sadak

Nice acronym, alright.
JAI HO!

Height of multi-tasking!

Driving a car, breast-feeding her daughter, talking on her mobile phone, all together at the same time!

Am I missing anything?

Great goalkeeper Peter Thangaraj passes away

Arjuna awardee, great servant of Indian football, Peter Thangaraj passed away at the age of 73 on November 24 at Bokaro, Orissa. He is survided by his wife, son, and a daughter.

Thangaraj was ailing for quite some time. In his long illustrious career, he represented India in the 1956 and 1060 Olympics. Also, represented India in the three Asian Games, Tokyo in 1958, Jakarta in 1962, and Bangkok in 1966. He was the key member of the gold winning football team of the 1962 Asian Games.

Thangaraj came into notice when he played for the Services team. Later, donned colors of Md.Sporting, Mohun Bagan, and East Bengal at Kolkata. He played for Railways for more than a decade.

He represented the all Asian Star team and honored with the goal keeper of the millennium by East Bengal club.

HAL defeats Pune FC

It was a day to remember for the football fans of Bangalore. City giants HAL, defeated Pune FC, and entered the final rounds of the Federation Cup 2008. It was a combined effort of tight defence, operating midfield, and sharp attack to overcome the challenge of Pune FC.

HAL got the better of their opponent in every department the game. They dominated the proceeding right from the beginning. Veteran war horse, RC Prakash scored the most important goal in the 38th minute of the match. Local lad, RC Prakash, who is back to Bangalore after playing eight seasons for different clubs in Kolkata and Goa, started his career for ITI.

The combination of captain, Xavier Vijay Kumar and RC Prakash really played well and entertained the crowd. Pune FC tried hard to come back to the game with some goods work from hard working Kamal Thapa. Mid fielder, Asim Hassan tried some lovely long rangers, which missed the goal by a whisker.

Teams
HAL: 30-Amar Deb; 8- Xavier Vijay Kumar (90'+4', 15-Satish Jr), 6-Satish Kumar; 14-Rajendra Prasad; 9-Dada Nabeel; 18-Goutam Debnath; 17-RC Prakash (75', 7-Karthigayan); 2-Sumit Thapa; 4-Naveen Babu; 26-Joseph Femi Adeola; 10-Fredrik Okwagbe

Pune FC: 1-Balaji Narsimhan; 2-Othallo Tabia; 3-Caitano Costa; 4-Kamal Thapa; 6-S Venkatesh; 7-M Sudeesh (61', 18-Crispin Chettri) 8-Asim Hassan; 10-Jeje Lalpekhlwa; 15-Lalrojama (59' 9-Santa Kumar); 27-Chika Wali; 28-Gobin Sewaram (79' Sandesh Gadkari)

Yellow card: 85' Kamal Thapa

Referee: G Thambiraj
Assistant referee: Nazir Ahmad, Kamil

Du Talks

Out of the plethora of foreign football players playing in India, Eduardo Chacon Coelho Lacerda, popularly known as Du has been one of the few who has carved a niche among the football lovers in the country. His commitment towards the game is highly regarded he is a very popular figure amongst his colleagues.
Du is presently in Bangalore and representing Salgaonkar in the Federation Cup qualifiers. Bumped onto him for an informal chat and our discussion wend on for an hour.

Q: So, Du how has been the journey so far in India?
Du: It has been good. Around four years ago, in this city I started my football in India. Played for HAL for 3-months. Later joined Mohun Bagan, played for more than two seasons, got injured, was out o action for a year, returned to Brazil, got recuperated, played few exhibition matches there to be match fit, and finally returned this season in India, and joined Salgaokar, Goa.

Q: Now the obvious question, you have played in both Kolkata and Goa, places where football is the most popular sports. What difference do you see?
Du: I knew this was coming (laughs). The most striking difference is pressure, which is enormous in Kolkata. When you play there, the officials, the supporters, everybody wants to win. When you go outside to play the exhibition matches, the officials would come and tell, “We must win this match”. Winning is good alright, and everybody wants to win. But, while doing this you are constant pressure for every moment and makes you very difficult to perform consistently.If you look at the present East Bengal team, they have so many national footballers in their rooster. Yet, they are not performing well, it is all because of pressure. We have to understand that we can't win each and every matches, there are good and bad days at the office. During bad times, you have to stay behind the players. I have nothing against the officials, they have always been good to me. It is high time that the Kolkata club officials/supporters change their mindset.
In Goa, though the people love and follow football, they don't come to the ground to cheer their team. We play in empty gallery for most of the matches. Exactly opposite in Kolkata, forget derby matches, even when a big team plays against a small team, the fans come in numbers.

Q: How is the Goa local league?
Du: Better, local club matches are competitive. There is not much difference between the I-League teams and the other teams. This Sesa team, who is also playing here in the Fed Cup qualifiers defeated many I-league teams in the local league.(Goa Football Association) GFA is professional. They delayed the local league from the middle to the end of the monsoon so that we get better grounds. Also, ground conditions are much better in Goa.

Q: You have played under several coaches in India, whom do you consider the best?
Du: It has to be Subhas Bhowmik, he is like a father figure! You will find him very strict at the ground, but when he is out of the pitch, he is just like any other friend. Joking, making fun, mixing freely with the players.Also, I cannot forget veteran Amol Dutta, he saved Mohun Bagan from difficult times.Other day I was reading a book written by a famous coach. He says about few basic thing that a coach is only successful when his players and the team is successful. And in order to achieve that coach must feel for the players and vice-versa. There should be no egoism here.

Q: Another aspect of you is your commitment towards the game. I can't forget the incident in the I-League 06 (that time NFL) away match against Salgaonkar, when you received marching orders but you stayed close to the field, you were not ready to head towards the players arena.
Du: Ohh, don't talk about the match, I wanted to go again to the field (laughs). I guess every Brazilians are committed towards the game and feels for the team. When you go inside, that's your life, you have to give your best shot.I am a professional footballer, I left my country, friends, relatives for the sake of money, I have to be committed towards my game.

Q: Who are the best Indian footballers to you?
Du: Forward: Sunil Chettri Midfielder: N P Pradeep Defender: Mahesh Gawli, though he is somewhat struggling due to injury. Also the other defender from Dempo is good. Goalkeeper: It was Subrata Pal sometime back, now I have to search for it! (laughs)

Q: What is up next?
Du: I like to take everything game-by-game. Presently, We need to play well in the Federation Cup and qualify for the main rounds.Hopefully, we will also play well and qualify for the 1st division I-League next year.I am with a 2-years contract with my present club, I would like to oblige that.Also, I am interested to go back to Kolkata should I get a good offer. Though there are many cons playing there, there are also many pros (laughs). I loved the fan following there, Whenever you go, people would recognize you, ask for autographs, take pictures, etc. That's an amazing experience, I will cherish for life! There's nothing like that in Goa, I've almost lost the touch for giving autographs here (laughs)!

Q: Du, thanks for talking to Indianfootball.com, wish you very best for your future endeavors!
Du: My pleasure and take care!

Salgaonkar through to the next round

Salgaonkar overcame the challenge of BEML and entered the final ofpreliminary round. Enjoying the home support, the local outfit BEMLstarted well by taking a lead with Prakash's goal. Salgaonkar cameback strongly after conceding the goal. The equalizer, an outcome ofexcellent one touch football by the center-half and the forwards,fooled BEML's defence, and finally Bijen Singh netted the ball to thegoal.

BEML exerted pressure at the begining of the of the second half.Winger Gopi mand some excellent moves with many goal-mouth centers.Jotin Singh's powerful shot was saved by keeper Moraes in the 55thminutes. Coach Bhowmik made a clever move, by replacing tired Bungo Singh with Anthoy. The winner for Salgaonkar came in the 59th minute,Bijen Singh's powerful center addressed to Antony, and striker IvenD'Silva made no mistake to place Antony's cross to the goal. IvenD'Silva later displayed some amazing touches and missed a sitter in84th minute.

Team
Salgaonkar: 31-Moares; 28-Du; 8-Agnelo Colaso; 18-Denzil Franco;17-Biju Kumar; 7-Bungo Singh (57', 9-Anthony); 30-Francis (84',14-Jerosu); 16-Bijen Singh; 10-Iven Da'Silva (90+2', 11-Anil Kumar);27-Beevan Demello; 32-Cajetn F
BEML: 22-Rajan; 2-Ricky Joy; 3-Shivamani; 4-Obinna Winners; 9-Prakash;7-Gopi; 6-Md. Dadakhalandar; 8-Sanath Kumar; 10-Jotin Singh (66'15-Govinda); 11-Samuel Jackson; 17-Deepak (78', 13-Wilfred);
Yellow cards:
Salgaonkar: Francis, Bijen Singh
BEML: Obinna Winners, Gopi, Jotin Singh, Wilfred

Refree: Thambiraj
Assistant Refree: Amjad Khan, Nazir Ahmad

BEML beats Indian Bank, through to the next round

A spirited display of attacking football in the second half ensured local outfit, BEML to go through to the semi final of the Federation Cup 2008 group A qualifier.
The first half proved to be a dull affair with both the teams tried to gain lead by taking futile long rangers. However, the last minute of the first half, almost proved fatal for Indian Bank when a valiant move from BEML import, Samuel Jackson, who passed the ball to Ramana Kumar, and Ramana's shot only found the woodwork.
The second half belonged to BEML as they displayed attacking football right from the start. Orchestrated by Samuel Jackson, BEML made repeated attempts to the goalmouth but failed to convert one. It was only in the 65th minute, when the opportunistic Md. Dadakhalandar scored the opener. Two minutes later, another goal from Gopi sealed the game for BEML. Bankmen tried hard to come back into the game in the dying moments, but in vain.
BEML will meet Salgaocar Sports Club on Saturday, November 22
Teams:
BEML, Bangalore: 22-Rajan; 2-Ricky Joy (81', 15-Govinda); 3-Shivamani; 4-Obinna Winners; 9-Prakash; 7-Gopi (87', 12-Wilfred); 6-Md. Khalandar; 8-Sanath Kumar; 14-Tiken Singh; 10-Jotin Singh; 11-Samuel Jackson
Indian Bank, Chennai: 30-Udayshankar; 2-Prathiban; 21-Ignatius Sanga Satish; 19-Hemanta Singh; 16-Bengkok Nameirakpam; 8-Gunasekhar; 5-Manikandan (70', 14-Rocky Philem); 9-David (89', 24-Kartikayan); 6-Nirmal Kumar (80', 3-Rajasekhar); 10-Elamueragan; 7-Fredy
Refree: Amjad Khan
Assistants refree: Md. Kamil, Nazir Ahmad

Football action returns to Bangalore

There is some good news for the football lovers in Bangalore. After making news for all sorts of wrong reasons, the Bangalore District Football Association (BDFA) league is going all set to start in December.

But before that the soccer fans would witness some national-level football action when the top clubs lock horns for the 30th Federation Cup qualifier. Bangalore Football Stadium will host the qualifying matches for Group A and B from November 20 to 28.

Issuing a press release on Tuesday, the Karnataka State Football Association (KSFA) general secretary, Krishna Narayana stated that the state association is apparently trying hard to kick-start the football activity.

The release further stated that the office of the newly constituted BDFA committee met the KSFA officials to discuss the BDFA league including Super, A, B, and C divisions scheduled to commence from December.

Meanwhile, Krishna Narayana also said that the new committee headed by M P Swamy will meet shortly and KSFA has assured full support.

KSFA announced that football activities in the state would kick-start with the inter-district football tournament to be held in Mangalore from Nov. 13-18.

Cheers to Chhang!

Must be the first week of May when we were traveling to Sikkim. Enroute to Yungtham, we stayed over at Lachung. It was around 7-ish in the evening, pitch dark, came out of the hotel for a stroll.
Quite amazed to see how a shack-like shop could stock foreign liquors. Out of curiosity, peeped inside the shop, saw a middle-aged cop happily sipping-in a drink from a bamboo glass.

I knew what to do... Ordered one for myself and started talking to the cop, employed in Indo-Bhutan police. Later, the lady owner and her husband joined the conversation. Came to know that the drink, named Chhang or Thumba, is a local-brewed millet beer, and traditionally served in bamboo glass with a wooden straw.

Took few pictures on my cell-phone camera, but alas, lost my it while returning from Tukla.

It was an amazing experience to see, taste, and feel the unofficial state drink of Sikkim.

Photo courtesy: Anindita Sarbadhikary

Hello world, I’m WFH!

I am whistling, opps working from home (WFH)! My wish of composing a mail with the similar subject line is soon going to be a reality.

A small one-liner, not-so-important mail means a lot to me. Sounds funny, huh! Lest I get emotional, you need to read this story…
It all started more than a year ago, when the bumpy roads of Pune affected my lower back. Orthopedic surgeon got scared after knowing the fact that I drive 10 miles daily to work and consulted me to go for an MRI scan.

Next is what? Stuck in acute pain, I applied for WFH option. Looking at the response from the HR department, I felt I’ve seriously done something wrong.

Like a true government organization (hey, did you hear BrinhanMumbai Municipal Corporation - BMC) WFH option starts from a certain band, and poor me, I didn’t fall under that category.

However, the HR department did advise me to take necessary medical test and get it certified by the company-appointed doctor, and the doctor has the final say. Spend 6K for an MRI scan and the scan report suggested that I should refrain from driving such a long distance.

However, the MRI report didn’t satisfy the doctor to give me a go. Rather, he resorted to a holistic approach and started explaining me all the possible means and methods of getting rid of this pain. It took no time to understand he’s parroting management’s view, perhaps in a different way.

So my wish to WFH dashed into the yard, and I continued commuting to work with pain. Hopes revived when my director who came from US to Pune for a business trip and promised to take this matter to the authorities. However, that didn’t yield any different result.
Cut to June 2008, new job, new location. My employer, Big Blue, values a lot when it comes to wasting time on beating long city traffic, and encourages WFH.

Now, broadband connection is up and running (BSNL, thanks), can get connected to the office networks, and all set to sent the mail.

Hello world...

Tête-à-tête Paresh Shivalkar

Paresh Shivalkar must have been a true pathbreaker! At the age of 18 he realized that he can make a career as a football player, what next? Looking for greener pastures, he packed his bags, and left for Mumbai because that-time-Pune had very little to offer him as a football player.

Now things are changing, academies are floated, corporates are venturing into the football arena. After a long season, Paresh’s back in his home town, Pune. He’s seen regularly at the Bharati Vidyapeeth Educational Campus ground, Katraj where the II Division I-League, Pune phase is going on (March 26 thru April 13, 2008). While covering the ongoing tournament, Paresh was kind enough to share his thoughts with me - his experience, pain, and off-course gain he got while playing the game of football.

Starting days

Till 12^th strandard, I never took the game seriously. Playing football at that time was like those regular-mundane extra-curricular activities, where you just play it like any other games. Started playing for Sky Hawks at the local league, this was my first introduction to serious football. In Sky Hawks, I played under the tutelage of Vivek sir (Vivek Nagul is now the assistant coach of Pune Football Club). He envisioned the potential in me, encouraged me to take the sports seriously.

Formative years

I was selected for the under-19 and -21 national trials, however, couldn’t make it to the final squad. It is very difficult to get noticed if you hail from cities like Pune. But, I never got disheartened, took it in my stride, and concentrated on my game. I was fortunate to have Vivek sir behind me, but again he was new and had limitations.

I moved to Mumbai, and signed a second division team, Gulf Oil. While playing for Gulf Oil in the Mumbai Division Football League (MDFA), I got noticed by Air India coach, Bimal Ghosh, he was pretty impressed, and eventually signed for Air India for the next two seasons. In the 2005 season, I joined Curchil Brothers. Next season, I returned to Air India for good, I was offered a job and captaincy, and stuck for another season.

Current status

The 2008 season, I will be donning Mahindra United colors. I always wanted to play for Mahindra United, they are a very professional unit.

Also, I had offers from all the top clubs, including Mohun Bagan and East Bengal. I do have plans to venture out of Maharastra. I know football is a big time craze in Kolkata, want to try my luck out there, provided I get a good package.

Football in Pune

Out here there is lack of professionalism. Football is not taken seriously, parents don’t want their children to take up football. However, now things are changing for good! Perhaps looking at me, many parents would advice their kids to take football as a career (chuckles).

Future plans

Continue the good work. My ambition is to represent the Indian national team at an international level. I narrowly missed it at the junior level, but I dream to play for India. Hopefully, my stint with Mahindra should give me a platform to showcase my talent.

Chirag United fails to collect full points against ONGC

Chirag United dominated most of the proceedings but failed to score goal against ONGC in their first match of their II Division I-League campaign.

In the first half, attacking from left to right and playing with the wind, Chirag made some serious moves that tested ONGC's defense. Theodore Sunday's goalmouth attempt at the 25th minute which went wide and a swerving left-footer at the 35th minute saved by the ONGC custodian was the highlight of the first half. In the last five minute, ONGC was truly at the receiving end, when Chirag forced two free kicks and a corner, however, they failed to convert the set-pieces.

In the second half, Chirag added more sharpness in their attack by introducing talented Sankar Oraon. As a cohesive unit, Chirag made many smart attacks but failed to convert any of them, and at the 75th minute Ejike missed an open net. The last four minutes of the injury time definitely belonged to ONGC, when they scared Chirag with Jatin Bisht's dangerously curling corner which beat custodian Arindam Ghosh, however, an alert Kinshuk Debnath proved saviour by clearing on the line.

Chirag United's coach, Anjan Nath said that the open sitters missed by his wards deprived them with a win. ONGC's coach Irinio Vaz, commented that the ground conditions took them some time to settle down, he is concered about the teams weak defence, but promised a better performance in the next match.

Chirag United: 1-Arindam Ghosh, 2-Louis Ebami, 4-Kingshuk Debnath, 5-Dhanrajan, 6-Ejike Chika Chime, 7-Denson Devdas, 11-Lalamjawala (Shankar Oraon), 15-Dulal Biswas, 17-Gouranga Biswas, 24-Theodore Sunday (captain), 27-Lalmalswama ONGC: 30-Bilifang Narzary, 4-Krishna Shirodkar, 5-NC John, 9-C N Henry (19-Dhanesh), 10-Nurudeen, 12-Rongmoi (18-Lalmaun Puia), 14-Kaushik Bose, 22-Amandeep Singh, 23-Kabijit Khotel, 25-Jatin Singh Bist (Captain), 28-Naresh Unused subs - Chirag United: 12-Subhas Singha Roy, 14-Shibram Dey, 16-Arnab Mondal, 20-Barun Oraon, 22-Mojaffar Rahman, 29-Achinta Saha

ONGC: 1-Rajat GhoshDastidar, 6-Debkumar Sashmal, 7-Rakshak Naik, 11-Sanjeeva Rumpi, 16-Gour Naskar Yellow card(s): ONGC - C N Henry, RangMoi

Referee: Pratap Singh

Assistant Referees: Md. Kamil, S K Gupta

4th official: S Sajeesh Kumar

Pune FC starts the II Division I-League campaign with a winning note

Pune FC survived few scary moments in the second half from HAL, but at the end of the day bagged the most valuable 3-points by beating HAL by 2-1. In a usual fashion, Pune FC pressurized opponents defense right from the beginning and meant business. First goal for Pune FC came in the 3rd minute due to a defensive lapse from HAL, later national star Bungo Singh scored the second goal from an excellent cross in 13th minute.

Pune FC dominated first 30-minute of the game with excellent ball possession, however, later in the first half they ran out of steam and gave HAL a chance to come back in the game, Fredrick Okwagbe reduced the margin in the 34th minute.

In the second half, the first 20 minutes was dominated by HAL, where they failed to score the equalizer from many chances. Later PuneFC came back to the game, but failed to increase the margin.

Earlier, All India Football Federation (AIFF) ONGC II Division I-League, phase I (Pune) was inaugurated by the Mayor of Pune, Rajlaxmi Bhosale at the Bharati Vidyapeeth Educational Campus ground, Katraj.

Speaking to the IndianFootball.com, PuneFC coach Bernard McNally said, "Folks turned naïve at times and that almost slipped the match from our grip. Few lads lack experience at this stage, but again there is a steep learning curve for them, and should give them the needed confidence. However, I am glad that we started in a winning note and that would boost our confidence when we meet Vasco, in the next game." Vasco has proved a thorn in the flesh for Pune FC as Vasco defeated Pune FC in last two encounters.

Pune in the Indian football map

Pune in the Indian football map - An interview with Bernard McNally, chief coach, Pune Football Club
- By Subhajyoti Banerjee

The year 2008 must have been a good start for the football scene in Pune. Firstly, the announcement of Pune Football Club (PuneFC), secondly, the team participating in the 2nd division I-League, and finally, Pune being one of the venue for the second division I-League.

It’s not that this sport is very unpopular in Pune. Soccer is played round the year in Pune, there are quite a number of tournaments, Pune District Football Association (PDFA) conducts division league, and also have few academies. So what is it that's going wrong and preventing Pune to prosper in the Indian football scene?

The emergence of PuneFC is what the doctor ordered. Promoted by the Ashok Piramal Group, PuneFC has massive plans for the improvement of football in Pune. www.IndianFootball.com (Subhajyoti) visited their practice session at the Bombay Engineering Group (BEG) ground, Khadki and talked with the coach, Irishman Bernard McNally and his assistant Vivek Nagul.

Subhajyoti: Hello coach, thanks for giving time to Subhajyoti. It gives me immense joy to talk to someone who has played with great Pat Jennings in the FIFA World Cup.
Bernard McNally (BM): Yeah, he is a legend!

Subhajyoti: As you start working on a project, you must have some short term and long term goals. What is the short term goal for PuneFC?
BM: Well to be honest, my primary focus is to qualify for the first division of the ONGC I-League.


Subhajyoti: And what about the long term goal?
BM: It's too premature to ask someone who is just few weeks old in PuneFC. I would like Vivek and team management to answer this question. But what I heard from them is that nurturing football talents from Pune and building a football stadium are the two areas that PuneFC is focused.

Subhajyoti: Tell us something about your football life?
BM: I have played for Shrewsbury Town for almost a decade, then moved to West Bromwich and played professional football till 95. Later, joined Hednesford Town and Telford United.

Subhajyoti: How is the team responding to your coaching?
BM: The team is shaping up and responding well. We had a very fruitful tour to Bangalore, played with teams like Hindustan Aeronautics Football Club (HASC), Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML), and Army XI. Team played excellent football against Army XI. Hopefully, team should perform similarly in the upcoming tourneys.

Second division I-League fixture is out; coach is informed that PuneFC is placed with HASC, ONGC, State Bank of Travancore (SBT), Vasco, and Chirag United.

BM: To be frank, I am not aware of the composition of our opponents. I have to depend on my assistant coach and support staff for the inputs.

Subhajyoti: You have three teams (HASC, SBT, and Vasco) in your group who have experience of playing in the first division.

BM: So, we are placed in a tough group, huh!

Subhajyoti: You team is staying together, how much stress do you give this aspect in the game of football?
BM: Staying together actually works; it is a team building exercise, raises team spirit and bonding. However, all my players are still single, so I am lucky that way! But in 3-4 years time, lads will be married and they will have their families. At that point of time you can’t actually force them to stay together (grins).

Subhajyoti: How is the team shaping up?
BM: The team is very spirited! The lads have gelled together excellently and performing like a cohesive unit. The team is a mixed lot, we have few locals, a few from far north-east, and you can say a mini India. We have two talented players from Nigeria. Local lads look up to them for certain skills and they are also well-built.

I see the Indians are not naturally well-built, physical ability is an important aspect in modern football. However, I have seen few teams from Goa with well-built footballers.

I like to play very attacking football; it’s all about entertaining the crowd!

Saying that I am well aware of the plus and minuses of the team. I don’t want to promise something that I am not aware.

Subhajyoti: You have joined PuneFC for a short stint, provided PuneFC performs well in the second division I-League, do you look forward for a longer association with PuneFC?
BM: Very simple, I need to produce results! A good performance and I will stick with PuneFC.

Subhajyoti: Any comments on the facilities provided to the team?
BM: We have a long way to go as far as facility is concerned. But again, we have to get along with it. The ground is quite hard.
Need to see what develops, watch your space, and hopefully it should work that way we want it.

Subhajyoti: Have you interacted with any other club coaches in India?
BM: Yes, I did meet Karim Bencherifa, coach of Curchill Brothers. His team has consistently done well in the I-League.

Subhajyoti: One final question, Cyd Gray’s injury has forced him out of action, will you miss him?
BM: Cyd’s injury is very unfortunate and has upset my scheme of things. However, injuries are very natural in football. You can’t actually dwell on that, he will be missed, but we have to move on.

Subhajyoti: Thanks coach, it was nice talking to you, and all the very best for the I-League assignment!
MB: Thanks!

At this point of time, assistant coach Vivek Nagul comes in. Vivek hails from Pune and has been a top football player during his days. He is associated with PuneFC since inception. He is the best person to answer the long term plans for PuneFC.


Subhajyoti: Hi Vivek!
VN: Hello!

Subhajyoti: Okay, the obvious question, what are the long term plans for PuneFC?
VN: To nurture footballers from Pune. It is very pleasing to know that the Ashok Piramal Group, has chosen Pune as a base. As the group is based out of Mumbai, Mumbai could have been the obvious choice. But the opportunity is bestowed to Pune, now, it is my duty to respond to the confidence shown by the management.

We would like to build the team through Football in the Community (FITC) program. Traditionally, football is played in few pockets in Pune, Camp, Deccan, Khadki, and Ghorpadi to name a few. We want to spread it across to the entire Pune and its neighboring areas.

Off-late, Pune has produced a national-level player in Paresh Shivalkar, I have seen his career shaping up while playing in Sky Hawks, also, I have mentored him. Pune needs ten more players like Paresh.

We want to generate interest among the parents. Typically, you don’t find parents encouraging kids to take up football as a profession. We want to break the myth. Now, there is enough money in Indian football. A top player earns much more than an IIM graduate!

Football needs to be started at the grass root level, because during this the stage you can develop the technical nuances, and later on you can concentrate on the other aspect of the game.

Our motto is to catch them young. As you know the club is in its nascent stage. In a very short notice period, we participated in the Manchester United Premier Cup (MUPC) qualifying round and performed well. So we have very high hopes about our under-19 and under-15 team.

Subhajyoti: Thanks Vivek! Great to know that PuneFC is doing a lot in developing football in Pune.
VN: Thanks!

Du likely to return to India

The next season of Indian football is definitely bringing good news! Eduardo Chacon Coelho Lacerda, popularly know as Du is all set to return to India. I was fortunate to get Du online. Du said that he misses India and Indian soccer. He has few offers in hand, from India and from another country. Like a tactful defender, Du averted the obvious question of his club for the next season. Du is coming to India in June to end all speculations.
Du has played four seasons in India. He started of his India campaign by donning the colors of Hindustan Aeronautic Sports Club (HASC) in the year 2003, next year he moved to MohunBagan and stayed there for another 3 years. He was the mainstay of the MohunBagan defense and was the integral part of the team. By displaying sheer commitment and dedication, he carved a niche among the soccer frenzy fans in Kolkata.
However, an injury during the 2006-07 Federation Cup semi-finals against Mahindra United forced Du out of action. But now he is fit as ever, all raring to go, and in his own words, “I just want to fight like I used to and want to make a big name in Indian soccer”.

Du likely to return to India

The next season of Indian football is definitely bringing good news! Eduardo Chacon Coelho Lacerda, popularly know as Du is all set to return to India. I was fortunate to get Du online. Du said that he misses India and Indian soccer. He has few offers in hand, from India and from another country. Like a tactful defender, Du averted the obvious question of his club for the next season. Du is coming to India in June to end all speculations.

Du has played four seasons in India. He started of his India campaign by donning the colors of Hindustan Aeronautic Sports Club (HASC) in the year 2003, next year he moved to MohunBagan and stayed there for another 3 years. He was the mainstay of the MohunBagan defense and was the integral part of the team. By displaying sheer commitment and dedication, he carved a niche among the soccer frenzy fans in Kolkata.

However, an injury during the 2006-07 Federation Cup semi-finals against Mahindra United forced Du out of action. But now he is fit as ever, all raring to go, and in his own words, “I just want to fight like I used to and want to make a big name in Indian soccer”.

Poor Symmo!

Hold on, this is true. After hearing the rumor, I can come up with only one expression, “Poor Symmo!”

So what's the rumor?

Bhajji said, “Teri Maa Ki ...”. And Symmo heard Maa[N]Ki.

Source

Now, did Bhajji sound nasal? Well, that's a million dollar question? I've never read/heard anywhere that he's a great Himesh fan.

But one thing I am sure about is that Symmo is a Bollywood buff! On the day before the incident, he watched a movie with Brett Lee, Dil Dosti etc, took a leaf out of the movie, and saved his mate from Bhajjis racial slur.

The purpose of a nice-juicy gaali went completely haywire and Symmo heard Maa[N]Ki. Now, someone should tell Symmo that Maa[N]Ki is not an abuse, absolutely not. In fact we all respect Maa[N]Ki, opps monkey. In India, we have a monkey god, we have temples, and we do worship him. Should Bhajji called Symmo a monkey, then he was referring to the monkey god, great Symmo-monkey-god.

Everything went wrong, damn!

** I would expect ICC to act smart, set them straight, and as a bonding activity, both should go together and watch a Bollywood movie.

I suggest Return of Hanuman.

Two stories of animals making news this week

Tiger - http://www.telegraphindia.com/1071220/jsp/frontpage/story_8690576.jsp
Elephant - http://www.telegraphindia.com/1071220/jsp/calcutta/story_8688595.jsp


Merry Christmas!

Dola Banerjee - champion of champions

He[y] Dola He[y] Dola!

You made us prowd, way to go!

America's answer to Ek Choti Si Love Story!

Here is real-life American version of Ek Choti Si Love Story. Lets hope this incident inspires Hollywood's Shashilal Nair to make a movie.

What would be the title? Bolo-bolo, tell-tell?

Jhulan Goswami - Chak-da India girl!

Ok-ok, this is not a typo. When the entire nation mesmerized by this song, I can’t simply ignore it. :)

So this lanky, 6-feet world's fastest bowler from Chakda (80-odd km away from Kolkata, West Bengal, India), has made us proud by winning Women's Player of 2007 at the ICC Awards.

This is an iconic achievement by a woman cricketer. She represents a country, where the men cricketers are worshipped like god, and catches media attention even after a meager win against minnows. On the contrary, when our women cricket team beats England in their backyard, the news is only mentioned in a corner of the sports page.

I am glad to see Jhulan appearing in the front page of the newspapers. She may lack the glam factor like over-hyped Sania, but she's fast, furious, and an ultimate champion.

Chak de Jhulan!

Messidona = Messi + Maradona

Lionel Messi	Diego Maradona

Lionel Messi is coming up with a Maradona-act every now and then!

Initially, it was his great solo run against Getafe that reminded everyone of Maradona's goal against England in the 86’ World Cup:

And now, a replica of Maradona's Hand of God goal...

is here:

Long live Messidona!

About Art and Politics

The art of bringing people together is sheer politics.

URBAN JUNGLE: Thousands of people pose in the nude for an installation by US photographer Spencer Tunick at the Zocalo square in Mexico City on Sunday. Tunick is known for his photographs that feature large numbers of nude people posed in artistic formations, often situated in urban locations.
Source: May 8, TOI.

The politics of bringing people together is an art.

OPTIMUM UTILITY: The Shiv Sena found an unusual spot — the Mutha riverbed near Bhide bridge — for a rally on the occasion of the inauguration of its Pulachiwadi office in the city on Tuesday. Speaking at the rally, Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray chose to slam the government over James Laine’s controversial book on Shivaji.

Source: May 9, TOI.

Aussies are the best - Analysis by an Indian

Trust (or lack of it) within the team:

• The batsmen dont trust the bowlers, so they play all big shots to win;
• The bowlers dont trust their batting, so they bowl with a fire in their belly; but finally
• The captain trusts the entire team;

Hinglish Chinglish bhai-bhai

You have heard of Hinglish, here is Chinglish for you:

• A store selling tobacco products advertises: “An Excellent Winding Smoke.”
• A sign on the floor at Beijing's Capital Airport reads: “Careful Landslip Attention Security.”
• A mysterious message on the billboard displays: “Shangri-La is in you mind, but your Buffalo is not.”

Source:
http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/news?slug=ap-beijing-chinglish&prov=ap&type=lgns

Little baffled, well that's Chinglish - a blend of the Chinese and English words, and it's just like you saying:

• Hey, time kya hua hai?
• Kiss my hote!
• Darling, slowly chal naa.

N'soy!

Cars, cars, and more cars!

Certainly, swanky imported cars are making news this week.

February 5: Lil Abhisekh Bachhan got the Bently car as a gift from his big dad Amitabh Bachhan on his 31st birthday.

February 7: Just two days after Abhishek Bachchan got his Bentley, came his dad’s turn – a sparking silver Rolls Royce gifted from director Vidhu Vinod Chopra. Seems Chopra got awestruck after watching Bachhan’s acting in his latest film Eklavya and so is this Rolls Royce.

People started rumoring how rich has Big B become, who once
could not afford to pay income tax can now actually afford to gift a Bently car
to his son!

February 8: You know what, actually people were right - Amitabh didn't gift Bentley to his son, it was a rumor!

Then who gifted the Bently car to lil Abhisekh?

Bolo-bolo, tell-tell!

I am sorry, no heads-up on this.

What is found is that Amar Chote-Bhaiya Singh claiming to be the owner of the Bentley car.

Confusion, confusion, and more confusion.

Orissa, Slap Chap(pel), and the Budhiya story

Q: Set in the backdrop of Orissa, what’s common between Guru Greg and wonder kid Budhiya?

Bolo-bolo, tell-tell!

A: Biranchi

Wondering!

Aare baba, Biranchi is name of the guy who slapped Guru Greg and also, Biranchi is the name of Budhia's coach. Now don’t ask who is Budhia?

Rock bands and their names

Q: Have you ever heard of the following names?

• Pin Drop Violence
• Nursery Crimes

A: They are musical rock bands.

Wish you a rock, rock, rocking weekend!

Racial attack and the Shetty girl

Shilpa Shetty might not be a box-office queen, but she is making news, again!

Last week she created ruckus once she entered into the Big Brother’s house and this week for some alleged racist comments.

Big Brother is the Britain’s popular reality television show, which is aired on Channel4. This reality show has huge UK-based Indian viewers. The producers were smart, to keep the TRP ratings high they roped an Indian celebrity, and in comes the Shetty girl.

However, the Indian government has not taken the racist comments lightly and also this issue was raised in the British House of Commons.

This just reminds me of the mid-nineties, actually 12 years to be specific, when Shilpa was in the limelight. She was excited when she found much-needed admirer in the form of an Election Commissioner and a Supercop.

Former Chief Election Commissioner TN Seshan maybe serious and honest in his job, but he made no pretension when he said that he loved to see Shilpa in the song Chura ke dil mera goriya chali. Ditto with the former Supercop KPS Gill. You may always blame him for the current state of affairs of the Indian Hockey. But hey, he was a great admirer of Shilpa Shetty.

Now what? I am sure she will find few admirers this time. British MP Keith Vaz and PM Tony Blair are my guesses. What’s yours?

Café Mondegar: Salaam Bombay

Nope, this is not a typo, I mean Bombay not Mumbai. Die hard Mumbaikar’s who swear by the name of Mumbai, no offence meant, please!

Café Mondegar is the place that truly lives up to the spirit of the Bombay city - Yeh Hai Bombay Meri Jaan!

Café Mondegar is popularly known as Mondys, is located at Colaba, next to the Reagal theatre.

Beer with garlic chicken is an absolute combination!

Cartoonist Mario Miranda lives in the wall of Mondys

Is your neighbor a cannibal?

If you are keeping a tab on the recent Noida serial killings then you must know by now that the co-accused Surendra Koli consumed human flesh, couldn’t digest it, and finally vomited.
Source: http://www.rediff.com/news/2007/jan/09noida2.htm

Have you ever wondered why?

Bolo-bolo, tell-tell.

Because he is a Koli. Surendra belongs to the fishermen community!
How could you expect a Koli to eat human flesh? He’s so bloody used to eat raw fishes.

I am speaking gibberish, sorry.

I am shocked, the recent expose of the Noida serial killings has left me stupefied with disbelief.

Are we living in the era of cannibalism? Do you think your middle-aged sober looking neighbor as a cannibal?

Gosh, I don’t know, I don’t know!

Khalasitola: Story of a country spirit bar in Calcutta

Excerpts of the feature Khalasitola: Story of a country spirit bar in Calcutta written by Amit Ranjan Basu.

In 19th century Calcutta there were bars for country spirit, which only catered to people from the lower orders of the society. Sometimes Babus in dire economic crisis, visited such bars covering them well with a chaddar and quickly gulped down a pint while standing. This style of drinking became known as Darabhog as in Bengali Darano means to stand.

The culture of drinking in a bar had become popular in the city besides great parties stuffed with varieties of alcoholic beverages, opium and ganja, thrown by the Babus in their mansions. But the country spirit culture was mainly limited to the urban subalterns. Prepared from paddy (Dhan in Bengali), this was popularly known as Dheno and sometimes called Dhanyeswari with special affection and regard. According to its potency, country spirit was classified into three categories. To assure the customer of its spirit content of the No.1 variety (which arguably contained 90% of alcohol), even during 1950s, the bar manager used to burn some sample from the bottle and the blue flame of alcohol made the customer sure of buying good stuff!

It is important to note that, drinking country spirit (Karan Bari in chaste Bengali) was strongly associated with the Sakta cult of Kali worshippers. Even the women from Tagore family at Jorasanko drank country spirit during Kali puja. One must remember that, Kali puja is performed around the year on various auspicious nights. Perhaps this association of popular goddess Kali with Karan Bari could be the source of inspiration to print goddess Kali’s image on a red label on the bottles of country spirit produced by the colonial government. It was thus also called Kali marka mod.

There are many books published during the middle of 19th century till early 20th century that bore elaborate descriptions of the urban culture of country spirit drinking, though not much of these bars. However, presence of middle class educated drinkers in the country spirit bars was a rare phenomenon. But from 1950s onwards a visible and daunted presence of educated middle class can be noticed in the country spirit bars (Bangla moder thek)! I suspect it was more an effect of a new culture practiced by poets and other creative personalities, who questioned the existing norms of being a Bhadralok. One of these bars, known as Khalasitola had become a talk of the town as many such people started gathering there over glasses of Bangla mod.

Kamal Kumar Majumdar, the famous writer whose style of Bengali prose-writing was not only full of experiments with the language, but also captured the complexities of modern life in a poetic prose, and it was very distinct from all his contemporaries. Around him this adda or regular meetings at Khalasitola grew up and we have a strong presence of this group for two decades. Majumdar taught art in a school and visited this bar from morning (it used to open at 11 am) in between his classes and continued till it closed in the night. It is said that Majumdar, after getting attracted to Ramkrishna’s philosophy not only changed his attitude to literature but also gave up drinking foreign liquour - Whisky, Rum, Gin, Vodka, Wine etc., and took to the desi - Bangla mod. Many non-drinkers came to meet him here for professional purposes. In the literary history of Bengali from 1950-1970 the contextual space provided by Khalasitola remains crucial. Many great poetries were written, famous little magazines like Krittibas and Kaurab came out, many anthologies of poetry were published with screenplays, and other creative products generated from this Bangla moder thek.

Khalasitola and later on some other country spirit bars in the city became a symbol of anti-establishment culture and a pilgrimage for many avant-garde writers who affectionately described themselves as Khalasis! Kamal Kumar Majumdar used to say that, Khalasitola started somewhere around the II World War and it probably has derived its name for being frequented by the loaders from the nearby port.

Many memoirs and anecdotes talk about an environment, which acknowledged the difference with the majority of the Khalsitola drinkers. But this difference never came in the way of negotiating two cultures. Many listened to poetries, songs presented by the Khalasis and yes, appreciated them. Conviction of the poets grew strong that good poetry indeed has a universal appeal. Besides Khalasitola two other Bangla moder thek had also seen this sort of gathering taking place:

• Baroduari at Rani Rashmoni Road and not very far from Khalsitola. This is a double storied old house, which probably derived its name for having twelve doors
• Ganja Park in Bhawanipore, South Calcutta, near Jadu Babur Bazar.

Not much of these great Khalasis are alive now. A significant number of them have even given up drinking! Still every one of them, when talked about Khalsitola asserted that more than a drinking joint it was a space of creative inspiration for them. Defying norms and giving birth to new urban expressions in poetry, prose, painting, and film - Khalasitola is beyond history. It is a myth of our new urbanity, timeless in its creative context, and rapturous in its radical implosion.

Yet this culture is seen to be fading by late seventies. It can be a research agenda to explore how it happened, but what seems obvious is Kamal Kumar Majumdar’s death followed by a spreading decentralized gathering in other joints including foreign liquor bars could be a factor. Also much of the famous Khalasis had died or became too old by late seventies, and a section of Khalasis had identified themselves with the elite and established literary institutions. By eighties only curious, rebellious youngsters dropped in to cherish their senior poets’ nostalgia and in general young middle class educated showed more attraction toward addas that happened in the foreign liquour joints. Also, the air of defiance that the seventies had brought were no more.

What remains still unexplored is the culture of the subaltern customers in these urban country spirit bars. This perhaps may take us to the world of a different urbanity experienced by the city subalterns, and their history of altered consciousness.

This story is extensively based on following sources:

• Arun Nag (1999) Sekaler Nesha in CHITRITA PADME, Calcutta: Subarnarekha, pp.14-462.
• Khalasitola Special Issue, KAURAB 92, Nov.2002, Pp.280, paperback, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand.Kaurab@email.com

Happy New Year 2007!

Hola!

Wish you all a rocking and kick ass New Year!

Opps, ignore those adjectives, simply ignore it, and “Wish you and your family a peaceful and fruitful New Year!”

Last Saturday, December 31, 2006 was an inspirational day for me - did not consume a drop of alcohol on that day. Though, never a regular drinker, I like to drink on the social gatherings - New Year party, birthday bash, bachelor party, office party, you name it!

What did I do on that evening? Took out Sonia and Diego for a small drive, ate the delicious Mughlai Parathas and Egg Rolls prepared by my mom, plunged into a tub of pineapple-flavored ice-cream, watched television till 12, and then wished everyone HNY.

On January 1, 2007, 12.05 am, went to my friends place, which is like 30 minutes drive from my home, drank a nip of Bacardi White Rum and two pegs of Smirinoff Vodka, and returned home around 5 am.

Wish you a very happy 2007!!

New age of Bengali cinema

This is definitely for the Bengali viewers.

Saw the promo of a bangla movie named Aamra, here's a hilarious one-on-one between two very popular actors Parambrata and Rudranil:

R: Kotodin eksonge sush-ni bol to?

P: Taa pray 6 months hobe.

R: Ohhh, tahole eto din-e Chitkini-te jong dhore geche aar Lyangcha-gulo shukiye bNode hoye geche!

Ufff, that’s too much for a language, which always boasted of transpiring literary subjects in the movies. But, in the era of crossover films, I think such raunchy double meaning dialogs are the order of the day, and perhaps this is the dawning of a new age of Bengali cinema.

url: http://banglatalkies.net/film.html

I was nearly rolling in the floor laughing and it took some time for my wife to understand. Later
she uttered only one word, “Oshovvo”.

It took no time for me to mail few *highly eligible* bachelor friends about this promo and also wickedly questioned about how appropriately applicable are these terms Jong and Shukiye jaoya in their life.

Reply from a friend was very quick, “No worries. Bachelor or married, *those* are always juicy; Langcha and Pantua both are healthy. Chitkini-s opening is also intact, no Jong out there.”