(Image source from: Kolkata goes ecstatic as KKR returns with IPL trophy})
No other Indian city lives and dies by the fortunes of its favorite sports team like the City of Joy, Kolkata. Cricket or football, Kolkata's passion for all thing sports is unequalled.
On Tuseday, the world witnessed a huge surge of overawed cricket fans in Kolkata who thronged to the Eden Gardens to laud Kolkata Knight Rider's Indian Premier League Victory.
A coterie of all rank and file gathered outside the stadium to witness the grand homecoming of the triumphant team. However, by mid-day, the numbers swelled up and the stadium authorities had no choice but to flung their door open to accommodate the wide gathering.
The programme, which was scheduled to begin at 1pm, got delayed as both the face of the franchise, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee arrived late.
Meanwhile, the Eden rocked and rolled to some of the popular tracks from SRK-starrer flicks like 'Aaj Ki Raat' from Don, 'Chance Pe Dance' from Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi and KKR's official team anthem 'Korbo Lorbo Jeetbo Re', setting the festive mood ahead of the gala.
Legendary singer Usha Uthup together with singer Aneek Dhar and lead vocalist of Bhoomi Soumitra Roy performed live on a makeshift podium. Usha Uthup sang praises for the victorious KKR with a new theme song 'Ab ki baar KKR… Baar baar KKR… Baar baar chhakka maar'. A gamut of Bengali film and TV industry celebrities also hit the dais.
The winning team arrived in style in an open-top SUVs. "Thank you very much for the love and support to KKR. The way you all have supported us is incredible. And for that I want to thank you all," Khan said taking a bow before the jam-packed gallery. He traveled around the field with KKR members in tow and waved to the crowd.
Later, he shook a leg with the members of his team and entourage, and exchanged sweets with the CM, thanking her for the gala arrangements.
Khan got three hours late due to a technical snag on his Mumbai-Kolkata flight. But he kept his fans informed of the happenings via Twitter.
Each KKR member was welcomed with an honorary sash and a box of goodies comprising of a blue-white shirt, a box of mangoes, suiting length, and Bengali sweets.
The CAB gifted each player with a 10 gram gold ring.
"Thank you so much for giving this marvellous victory to us," said Mamata.
Outside Eden, it was a different scene as a huge gathering of unruly crowd went berserk as police tried to stop those without entry passes outside the gates. Even those with valid passes weren't allowed in owing to the chaos.
A stampede-like situation erupted outside the stadium. People broke barricades, running wildly inside the venue. The police had to resort to a baton charge to quell the irate gathering. Several people were injured as the Mounted Police and Rapid Action Force (RAF) were called in to bring the situation under control.
"People came like a tsunami. The gathering went well beyond the capacity of the stadium which was over 60,000. There is no more space at all inside.The police cannot allow them as there might be accidents if such a huge crowd enters Eden Gardens. And we also cannot ask them to go," Sports Minister Madan Mitra said.
AW: Suchorita Choudhury
