Be it governors of Punjab and Haryana, or chief ministers of the twin states, almost everybody is talking in the context of the Mohali semifinal.
Cricket, politics of it and Indo-Pak diplomacy have charged up Chandigarh’s atmosphere like never before.
Be it governors of Punjab and Haryana, or chief ministers of the twin states, almost everybody is talking in the context of the Mohali semifinal.
If Panjab University scholars are debating the propriety of mixing cricket with diplomacy, hoteliers and hawkers are planning how to make hay while the sun shines.
RS Gill of the university’s political science department wondered whether diplomacy was being trivialised on the cricket ground or cricket was being eulogised to help iron out differences between India and Pakistan.
Students are scrambling for passes and tickets, while senior officers are testing their mettle to enter Punjab Cricket Association Stadium on Wednesday.
Cynics, of course, are wondering whether the hysteria is worth it and would it not affect the game.
Amid acute shortage of hotel accommodation in Chandigarh and Mohali, Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal has asked people to open their hearts and homes to visiting Pakistani fans.
Sukhbir, who is also chairman of the committee organising the match, said: “While the entire region is geared up and fans are expected from across the border, I am aware there is a severe space crunch in hotels in Chandigarh and Mohali,” he said, adding, “[As such] I would urge the people of the two cities and also Panchkula to register with the control room overseen by a deputy commissioner and give one room in their houses to the visitors. Punjab government officers have already set aside one room each for the purpose.”
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