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What they think about us? |
When Brazil won the last World Cup in 2002 the streets and bylanes of Kolkata resembled to the ones in Rio-de-Janeiro, replicate with the national flag of Brazil and the famous "yellow" jersey being displayed on every nook and corner of the city. Perhaps there was more celebrations and fanfare in 'Kolkata' than in 'Rio' itself. The great footballers of yesteryear and today are regarded as demi-gods in this highly opinionated and football crazy city of India.Be it the 'para club' or the common man on the street, there is no dearth of knowledge about the 'Great game' and everyone has his opinions and predictions on the game. The craze for football in this city is beyond compare with other Indian cities.
Indian football witnessed the most famous derby of the country for over 80 years between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal. Many of us, now say, that the intensity of the emotions do not run as high as it used to be in 60's or 70's. I don't know what to say, I only know, that time is history now. This is the 21st century. And the new age of football fan has just began to flourish. We can see the international football in television almost every week. We know what is good football. We love our football and so we know something about Mohun Bagan too, that is obvious. But our search will be focussed on those people, who are not so attached with this great game and thus do not follow much.
Just like the other metropolitian cities Kolkata has many faces. But what is unique in Kolkata, is the sheer enthusiasm of its people and emotions that run deep and high exhibited in all forms of sport,specially so in football.Perhaps, that is why, Kolkata is often regarded as the Mecca of football in India. But as all forms of medias in India are notoriously biased for Cricket, the young generation cannot see Football and other games through the thick and biased sports pages of news papers and sports channels of TV. I was talking to some people who are from different background, and from different cultures, from different parts of the country. But two things they have in common is that they are now all living in Kolkata and the suburbs, and the second thing is, they all are not football lovers. Here starts our search for the influence and trace of Mohun Bagan on such people. We interviewed these people, and put some questions before them. Let's see, what they are talking about -
1.How will you feel if I want to talk to you about Mohun Bagan?
Responses -
Anindita Biswas (Kolkata) - Not bad though by heart I am an EastBengal Supporter.
Prashant Katyar (UP, now in Kolkata) - I will feel Delighted.
Ranjesh TV (Kerala, now in Kolkata) - Sorry, iwould not be intersted, as footabll has neven been my favourite game. Cricket tops my favourite game list.
Samhita (Kolkata) - wht u wanna talk exactly abt,since i don't have a knowledge abt this
Ashok (Mumbai, now in Kolkata) - its a great team
2.When did you first know about this club?
Responses -
Anindita Biswas (Kolkata) - Since my childhood when I saw my father and Maternal uncle fought between each other one being an East Bengal supporter and other being a strong Mohun Bagan fan.
Prashant Katyar (UP, now in Kolkata) - When I was in 7th std.
Ranjesh TV (Kerala, now in Kolkata) - News paper in the sport sction since last 4 years.
Samhita (Kolkata) - frm my childhood
Ashok (Mumbai, now in Kolkata) - when i was young, used to see in DD1 in late 80's
3.What will you do, if you are given a ticket of a match between Mohun Bagan and Arsenal happening in Kolkata.
Responses -
Anindita Biswas (Kolkata) - Just pass it to the next door boy who is a blind supporter of Mohunbagan.
Prashant Katyar (UP, now in Kolkata) - I 'll bunk the office.
Ranjesh TV (Kerala, now in Kolkata) - I won't watch because Football has never been my favourite game.
Samhita (Kolkata) - i'll be going to see it since i got a free ticket and being a ghoti i'll be lucky to meet the team infront of my eyes
Ashok (Mumbai, now in Kolkata) - definitely see it, under all circumstances
4.Is there anybody in your home or surrounding that you can say a die hard Mohun Bagan or Football fan?
Responses -
Anindita Biswas (Kolkata) - Yes, I just said it is the next door chap "Deep" now pursuing his BE from Jadavpur.
Prashant Katyar (UP, now in Kolkata) - Yes Named Somnath Chattopadhyay.
Ranjesh TV (Kerala, now in Kolkata) - My friends.
Samhita (Kolkata) - ya my two maternal uncle
Ashok (Mumbai, now in Kolkata) - no, not diehard fans, but we all like the team
5.How many football matches and how many Mohun Bagan matches did you see in TV?
Responses -
Anindita Biswas (Kolkata) - Don't remember the exact number....but quiet a few.
Prashant Katyar (UP, now in Kolkata) - Whenever get the opportunity , How many is diffucult.
Ranjesh TV (Kerala, now in Kolkata) - Couple of world cup matches
Samhita (Kolkata) - none
Ashok (Mumbai, now in Kolkata) - well, football matches many mostly world cup matches, mohan bagan 3 or 4 matches
6.Have you ever visited Mohun Bagan ground or Saltlake Stadium?
Responses -
Anindita Biswas (Kolkata) - Yes to both.
Prashant Katyar (UP, now in Kolkata) - Nope
Ranjesh TV (Kerala, now in Kolkata) - Never
Samhita (Kolkata) - ya i visited sl stadium but MB grnd i have see frm outside but not frm inside
Ashok (Mumbai, now in Kolkata) - no
7.Do you know Mohun Bagan is the National Club of India?
Responses -
Anindita Biswas (Kolkata) - Yes
Prashant Katyar (UP, now in Kolkata) - Yup
Ranjesh TV (Kerala, now in Kolkata) - Yes
Samhita (Kolkata) - ya i do know that
Ashok (Mumbai, now in Kolkata) - Yes
8.Do you know the colours and logo of the club?
Responses -
Anindita Biswas (Kolkata) - Yes
Prashant Katyar (UP, now in Kolkata) - Yup
Ranjesh TV (Kerala, now in Kolkata) - No
Samhita (Kolkata) - ya maroon and yellow right
Ashok (Mumbai, now in Kolkata) - No
9.Can you take just one name of any official or player or anybody ever associated with Mohun Bagan?
Responses -
Anindita Biswas (Kolkata) - Subrata Bhattacharya ...the Coach
Prashant Katyar (UP, now in Kolkata) - Dont know
Ranjesh TV (Kerala, now in Kolkata) - Bhaichung Bhutia
Samhita (Kolkata) - Subrata Mukherjee
Ashok (Mumbai, now in Kolkata) - babu mani, vijayan,cheema okerie, well all guesses, not sure if they r correct
10.Do you know about the problem that club is facing today?
Responses -
Anindita Biswas (Kolkata) - Not really
Prashant Katyar (UP, now in Kolkata) - Nope
Ranjesh TV (Kerala, now in Kolkata) - No
Samhita (Kolkata) - not exactly
Ashok (Mumbai, now in Kolkata) - more foreign coaches should be appointed, i think thats the best that can happen to indian football, especially mohan bagan
11.What is your opinion about the problem inside the club? How to solve it?
Responses -
Anindita Biswas (Kolkata) - Sorry...don't know the exact problem...so can't comment
Prashant Katyar (UP, now in Kolkata) - Dont know
Ranjesh TV (Kerala, now in Kolkata) - No Idea
Samhita (Kolkata) - exactly i don't know the prob so how can i give the solution
Ashok (Mumbai, now in Kolkata)well, the players should remember the glory and reputation of the club, leave all differences, and work hard, they should play as a team
What do you think? One thing is clear that all of them know, there is a football club called Mohun Bagan. It is the national club of India. Almost all of them are aware of the weight of a football match between Mohun Bagan and Arsenal. Those who are in Kolkata for a long time or a permanant resident of Kolkata, did visited or see the Mohun Bagan ground or Saltlake stadium. Many of them do know some die hard Mohun Bagan fan (Impressive!!! we have much more die hard fans that we actually think). They don't know about the logo, and the colour of our club. They don't know about the actual internal problem. So from here, we can see, that we have to go to the people with such information. They do know about our glory. They all know it is the National Club of India and a national pride. We have to keep the glory and respect for our motherland.
Debraj Sarkar and Somnath Chattopadhyay- June 2004
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