An IPO, IPL and distant Malawi

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At Le Meredien Kochi , 29th April 2011



I have been to the famous cricket grounds of Firoz Shah Kotla in Delhi, The Wanderers in Johannesburg and the lesser known Chandrasekharan Nair stadium in Trivandrum to watch Test matches during different times of my life. However, an occasion to see some of the great players in close quarters came rather recently; to be precise yesterday.

The company, for which I work now, came out with its IPO during this month which met with stupendous success getting subscribed 25 times! We also happen to be the principal sponsors for the “Delhi Dare Devils “, one of the teams of the Indian Premier League which has popularized cricket among people across the country while making itself a big money spinner. So it was an occasion for the company to invite members of the senior management with their spouses to a dinner in honour of the Delhi team at the Le Meridien Kochi on 29th April 2011. The following day, the Delhi Dare Devils were to meet Kerala Tuskers, Kochi at the JN Stadium, Kochi.


Virender Sehwag signing on the cricket ball for Unni




A fine cultural entertainment was hosted to welcome the team led by the inimitable Virender Sehwag, the captain of the team. Sharing his views about Kerala, as observed during his shooting days in Alleppey for some commercials, he said it is indeed a beautiful country, but, the water - he probably meant the backwaters of Alleppey - was dirty. He said,” Paani bahuut gandaa hai!”


Mithun Varma (Unni) by Lake Malawi, 2005


You could not have agreed with him more. Years back, far away in the Southern African state of Malawi, one of the poorest countries in the world with one of the best climates on this planet, I have seen Lake Malawi with pristine surroundings and pure water. We claim ourselves to be very literate and being aware about the environment. Sadly, the visitors judge us differently.


Scene from the cultural event


A sumptuous dinner followed. Everyone wished a great game to the Dare Devils and it probably worked. The next day, Sehwag made a captain’s knock of 80 runs in 47 balls to lead his team to victory!




Scenes from the cultural events hosted



The team members arrive at the venue



The team on stage




James Hopes autographing for Unni



Irfan Pathan of Delhi Dare Devils at the Dinner



I got a couple of cricket balls, autographed by Sehwag and James Hopes, his Australian teammate to be gifted to Mithun (Unni) my son. He would have preferred an autograph from Jack Kallis, though.

Tripunithura, South India
30th April 2011.

Comments

FoxyArchitect said…
Dad. Loved it! :)
8:26 am
Murali RamaVarma said…
Thank you, La.
8:28 am
Unknown said…
Superb!!!!
9:54 am
Murali RamaVarma said…
Thank you,Mathew.
7:09 am
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