The nation holds its breath and stands still. People had taken leave from their offices and workplace to watch this event. The busiest streets of country bored a deserted look. It looked like a silence before a thunderstorm. It is 2nd of April, the 2nd ball of the 49th over of the Sri-Lankan bowling and N. Kulasekera is bowling to the Indian Captain MS Dhoni and it is hit for a huge six. The 33,000 capacity crowd at the Wankhede Stadium and the nation scream with joy and there is loud thumping of drums and celebration everywhere. India is the World Champions of Cricket once again. The Cricket crazy nation which had gathered around the stadium, TV sets and Radio to watch this match and cheer their Hero’s, Politicians, Industrialist, Businessmen, and Celebrities from various arenas, busted with joy and thumping. The player’s emotions were reflected by tears in their eye, and hugging and jumping to each other. The great Master batsman of modern cricket Sachin Tendulkar was carried on shoulders by Yusuf Pathan, Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina. There is no Maharastian, North Indian or Hindu Muslim feelings. All were Indian waiving their hands and flag in the honour of their nations sporting victory which had come after a gap of 28 years. Many players attributed this victory to the people of India, some to the Great Master Tendulkar who had carried the burden of the country on his broad shoulder for so many years. There was a feeling of love, gratitude, devotion and bonding towards each other. The players thanked the nation for the support and love they have shown in cheering and boosting the players moral in there conquest to the one day Cricket World Cup.
The whole nation busted into a festival mood and I have never seen such an exuberant celebration except that in a festival. There was a flurry of crackers blowing in the sky, people on the street were hugging each other, distributing sweets, playing with colours, drumming and dancing in their natural way they know the best. Streets of the nation were lightened at midnight and people were out on road waiving the National Flag and shouting India ----- India. Men’s and women irrespective of their caste, creed and religion were all celebrating the big occasion singing patriotic songs and slogans. It was difficult to distinguish the people as all looked soaked with joy, enjoying a national victory in their own style. Some people were found to burn Idols of Ravan and dancing around it. The festival colour of Holi, Dashera , Ida and Diwali were all seen in one day. The secular character of India and the nationalist feeling of victory were celebrated in the people’s own way, their living style and way of living that they are accustomed to for centuries. All sections awaited and watched this national sport event and celebrated the victory with equal vigour and pleasure. This reflected the true secular face of India, and represented the mass sentiments, cultural feelings and bondage. There was a feeling of gratitude and oneness every where and the whole nation from Jammu and Kashmir to Kanyakumari was lit with cracker and light, celebrates this glory in their own custom with pride and honour. The people were united and proud to be an Indian.
The nation takes pride in its past achievements and takes inspiration there-from by remembering the hero’s, who had helped to build up the present team and have planned the future. This has been the style and custom of people of India and it is this unique way of celebrating an event of national pride which is a reflection of their way of living called Hinduism. It is a natural synthesis between its current economic advancement and the development of mind, character and customs of the people in accordance with the highest traditions of Indian culture and civilisation. Unfortunately the appeasement policy of some political Parties towards certain section’s of the society has resulted in sowing of seeds of communal discord amongst the people of India. And due to Vote Bank politics this culture and way of life i.e. Hinduism or Hindutava , which is reflected at the time of joy and sorrow is branded as communal. Caste, religion, politics and regional requirements divides the people, culture bounds it. The Indian politician should take lessons from the Indian Cricket Team and should make efforts to unite the nation into one integrated, secular, homogenous, coherent, progressive and dynamic society, which will help India to be victorious in every field of development.
