Headlines today- 'Mahi ke liye akhand jaap'! Mahi means beloved. But you must obviously have traced the 'mahi' in the headlines to Dhoni. And guess what? you were indisputably right!
I suddenly recollect Yash/Aditya Chopra's recent movie 'Dil bole Hadippa', for I could never relate to it until now. He clearly saw what I couldn't. Once again the Chopras' 'Jhappiyon Sa Desh' came together to encourage their jawaans, while they bravely wield their bats at their kurukshetra in mohali. They have love and hope in their hearts; and hatred more potent than the love and hope simmering away, stacked secretly for Pakistan, which might come handy for the Indian players if, God forbid, they were to lose! And obviously we would engage in demoniacal dances and fireworks on the street, if the much-hated Pakistan should lose! *begins to sing innocently* "Yahaan pe ishq hi hai rab aur Khuda, soniya!"
The news channels bleat of people's madness and idiosyncrasies. Food in hotels named after players (for instance Bhajji ke Bhajiye!), bets of shocking amounts of money, huge replicas made of the cup in chocolate, other replicas decorated with flowers and worshipped at holy shrines!
India-Pakistan match did what an earthquake, tsunami and fire in Japan couldn't do! It made people pray, millions of people! People are going on a havan, namaaz and jaap spree everywhere, including Siddhivinayak and Shirdi! Such unity, such piety, such love? It makes one want to say, surely matches are made in heaven!
At this a friend of mine, (name hidden to protect life) said "I will pray for India to lose!" I asked "what is your prayer in the face of the whole nation's?" to which, friend replies "who said I am alone? I have Pakistan praying for the same thing!" Another whole nation praying together for a game, I realised with a sigh! wonder who's team God is in..
But someone somewhere should sincerely pray for the peace of mind of all the players under such immense pressure and the fates of those truly cursed ones, who face the catastrophic burden of losing...May peace be with India and also with Pakistan! Amen!
