Just to set the expectations right, I am an Indian and quite a jingoistic one at that.
So of all the people who have rejoiced at the recent victory the Indian "boys" had over arch rivals of the game, my name should figure somewhere on the top.
But having said that, was the hoopla surrounding the Indian victory worth it? I mean, yes, in our country cricket is much more than a game. Its a way of living, a religion in fact. Yes, we tasted a world cup victory, albeit T20, after 26 years.
Yes, Dhoni and his young firebrands displayed the chutzpah that made us smile and so very proud of them. And yes, the day they won will go down into history as one of the finest hours of Indian cricket.
Yet, another day will also go down into history. The day Indian cricket team landed at Mumbai. WHAT WAS THAT? Right from Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport to Wankhede Stadium, seemed like the entire population of Mumbai had spilled over on to the streets. As Dhoni himself said later, "Mumbai is a city that is always on the move but the Indian team has brought to it to a standstill. We knew our victory was a big achievement for the country, but we didn't realise it was so big".
But considering the fact that most of the international teams, even Indian team, did not take T20 seriously(the fact that BCCI did not send any of its stalwarts for this series corroborates my take. Good in way, we finally opened our eyes to the fact that the younger team is what this country needs) - Was this celebration justified?
Mumbai - A city that is the financial capital of India. The city that churns out revenues in billions of rupees each day by just doing its regular life style was grounded to a virtual halt. Bomb blasts, torrential rains, Ganesh Visarjan and natural disasters affect the normal functioning of the city from time to time. That itself is lamentable. Do we need day offs for cricketing victories now too?
Then again, our dear politicians. In a ceremony meant to felicitate the players, they manage to usurp the front row. Fine lets not even go there.
Rains - I wonder how many of those people who braved rains made it hale and healthy to their homes. Conjuctivitis, Viral infections, etc are on a rise these days. And Mumbai is not the healthiest of places either. Was this health risk worth it?
Maybe I am a cynic? May be this is how we celebrate our victories. Maybe as in the words of Rahim:
खैर, ख़ून, खांसी, ख़ुशी, बैर, प्रीत, मधुपान
रहिमन छिपाए ना छुपे, जाने सकल जहाँ
