 Online edition of India's National Newspaper Tuesday, Mar 29, 2011 ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version |
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National
CHANDIGARH: “March 30 is unofficially a public holiday. Only the unfortunate ones will be working that day,” said a disheartened government employee, who has no leave or ticket to watch the India-Pakistan cricket world cup semifinal. Anticipation about the match has prompted market unions, offices and tuition centres to treat it as an off-day so that there are no distractions. It is being seen as a festival deserving a national holiday. Markets have decided to stay shut, private officers are not cribbing about it being month end, students taking board exams are preparing in advance and everyone is making plans to either go for the match or watch it with friends and family on television. With the spurt in the number of visitors, hotels within 25 km of the match venue have been booked and no guest houses are available. While hotels are going to work double time to ensure that all the guests are taken care of, many shop-owners have decided to remain open. “We don't expect people to come out to buy things when India is batting. Tourists and fans will come either before or after the match,” said a shop-owner in Sector 17, city's main shopping centre. Fans are keeping the markets happy as the sale of cricket merchandise touch sky high. World Cup mascot Stumpy, Team India's jerseys, World Cup trophies, track pants, caps and sweatshirts are being sold in all stores and at traffic signals. Rajiv Kapila, a businessman form Ludhiana, holds the much-coveted tickets to the historic match for his entire family. He said it was not fair to report the match as a war or clash of cricketing titans. “Both India and Pakistan are great sides and even though I hope to see India win the world cup, I am sure I am going to witness excellent cricket. Unfortunately, there is only one winning side.” Cricketing enthusiasts from across border are also expected to add to the city's fervour with 8,000 Pakistani nationals already in India, and the number is expected to swell to 10,000. Around 5,000 Pakistanis have reportedly been issued visas and will travel to Chandigarh by special buses through the Wagah border. Not everyone will be watching the match. Over 3,000 security men will be watching over the PCA stadium and the routes leading to the virtual fort. “We will hear the cheers from inside and know if India has hit a six or lost a wicket. If we don't do our job, no one can enjoy the match. So, I don't mind missing it. But we get to see the entire team when they enter or exit the stadium,” said a constable stationed at the stadium. Elaborate arrangements have been made to ensure that the teams and the VIPs are safe. Traffic routes have been changed and marked for locals and people from nearby cities. Roads to the stadium from Chandigarh resemble an armed garrison. Anti-aircraft guns have been strategically placed and Mohali has been declared a no-fly zone. Snipers were deployed on Sunday on all high-rise buildings adjoining Hotel Taj-17, where players of both teams are staying. No stone is being left unturned to secure the city before the Prime Ministers of both India and Pakistan — along with a host of dignitaries — come to watch the match. Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopters are on standby for air surveillance and fighter jets at Ambala are just a moment away from scrambling in case of emergency. The Special Protection Group (SPG), the National Security Guard (NSG), and Central and State police forces are enforcing security at various levels. Special teams of the SPG and NSG landed here on Sunday to take charge of the security.
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