Going Back 28 Years

It was 25th June 1983. I was 21 years old doing my Mining Engg degree in the then Regional Engg College (Now National Institute of Technology), Rourkela. I was in Mosabani Copper Mine of Hindustan Copper Limited(HCL)doing my mandatory summer internship. People in those days hardly owned TV sets particularly in a remote rural mining township like Mosabani. Although Color television had come to India just a year before in 1982 in the wake of  the ASIAD 82 very few people could afford it.
The third Prudential World Cup was in progress in England. As India was performing beyond their perceived capability people were taking some interest in keeping World Cup news mainly through All India Radio(AIR). All the league matches of India, the Semifinals and Finals were being telecast  live by Door Darshan(DD), the only channel people knew at that time. But the reception of DD in Mosabani was very poor. On a B&W 20 inch TV amidst numerous twinkling dots with the images hardly visible I was watching the Finals standing near a grocery shop along with several other onlookers. I was hardly able to see anything but the commentary was clearly audible. In fact we were all listening the TV when India, the underdogs,  surprised not only the two times defending champion West Indies but the entire cricketing world. They had crushed the giants of the game to emerge as the surprise winners of 1983 World Cup. The whole country celebrated and people who never knew what cricket was became genuinely interested in Kapil Dev and his devils.From that day onwards cricket became the buzz word in this country.
Much water has flown in the river Mahanadi since 1983. 28 long years. India hosted the 1987 World Cup along with neighbours and arc rivals Pakistan. but Australia stole the show. India hosted again in 1996 but this time it was Sri Lanka's turn to steal lime light. India desperately needed a second world cup victory which eluded them even in 2003 when they lost to Australia, who won the title for a third time. Indians would prefer to forget the 2007 episode when India, regarded as favourites, failed to clear the group league stage.
And on 2nd April 2011, before the clock struck 00 hours. Dhoni's Monkeys literally snatched the cup from the clutches of the Lankan Tigers. What a moment that was. The whole nation collapsed into an ocean of celebration.
India were the world champions after 28 years of impatient waiting.
And this time I was watching the finals from the comfort of my drawing room on my color TV amidst violent protests from my sweet daughter who completed 17 years of her existence when the clock struck 12 at midnight. The euphoria of the victory made me so nostalgic that I forgot to wish her for which I hope she will forgive me sometimes. Adults of my age are not expected to be so much crazy for anything but then everybody lives for himself at times. And it really gives pleasure when you get lost in something which you like to do.
Congratulations Dhoni.
And congratulations every true Indian.
Let's strive to make this country soar to the top of the world in every sphere of activity.