Empty Galleries
The prestigious Bordoloi Trophy semi finals and final were held in Guwahati after all the preliminary matches were played in Sualkuchi and Dibrugarh respectively. Gone are the days of Bordoloi trophy played in the historic Judges Field. There used to be a mammoth of a crowd as soccer fanatics made a beeline to watch their favourite teams and players live in action. Live radio commentary by likes of Late Suren Ram Phukan, Babul Burmese and Pulin Das which was broadcasted on AIR, glued people who missed the live action on the field to their radio sets. The Bordoloi trophy had dominated the soccer scene in the entire northeast India from 1960s to late 1980s. But with the advent of television, Bordoloi trophy lost charm amongst the people. There are of course a number of reasons, the foremost being people could view high quality international football on TV. The difference between the European or Latin American league and Indian domestic football, including Bordoloi trophy is gigantic.
The empty galleries of the Bordoloi trophy semi finals and final this year made soccer loving people sad. Surprisingly, the VIPs and VVIPs still outnumbered spectators. Truly the glorious days of premier soccer competition are over and those earlier memories will be nostalgic.
Dr. Ashim Chowdhury,
Ambari Guwahati.
Thugs of Paharganj
Paharganj is an area which is important in New Delhi as it is nearest to New Delhi Railway Station. People coming by train to NDLS or visiting Delhi stays in this place as there are ample hotels and lodges. It is a demanding area but in spite of having Police Station, the area has become a place for pick-pocketers and snatchers. Last month when I visited Delhi, my mobile was pick-pocketed from this place and interestingly I was only few metres away from the Paharganj Police Station. I would appeal to administration and police to be more vigilant and make sure that tourist and visitors are not harassed or disturbed. If police take proper action then I don't think any thieves can prowl around. Most of the shops are installed with CC camera and with the use of technology pick pocketers or thieves or snatchers can be easily caught. Apart from domestic tourist many foreign tourists also stay in this place, so, it is a must duty for the police and administration to make sure that this area is free from thieves/snatchers and thugs.
Ranjan K Baruah,
Nayanpur, Guwahati.
Arrest of Basketball Association of Assam Secretary
The recent arrest of Basketball Association of Assam (BAA) secretary, Mukut Medhi by Paltan Bazar Police has caught my attention. First, I would like to congratulate all the brave parents for fighting against the injustice meted out to their wards by Mukut Medhi. Secondly, I urge the committee members of the BAA to stand with the truth. It is really surprising that a controversial person like Medhi is given the reins to an esteemed association like BAA.
It is sad that parents had to take the help of law to get rid of a demon like Mukut Medhi who was playing with the future of so many emerging Basketball players. The controversy erupted when the junior team was sent outside the state to participate in the national championship and the Secretary charged Rs.7500 as registration fees instead of actual Rs. 350. Apart from that, the Secretary made last minute changes to the team according to his whims. It is a pity that deserving players had to miss out in competing against the best in the nation.
Most of India's sports associations and federations are infested with such self-centered parasites whose only objective is to derive profit, caring little about the game or the players. I hope parents of other disciplines too take inspiration from the parents of the Basketball players to root out such obnoxious people. These kinds of people consider their respective posts as their personal properties.
Chotu Ram Boro,
Ulubari, Guwahati.