“Korbo lorbo jitbo” blared out aloud across Eden Gardens for most part of the day, as the city turned purple and gold to celebrate Kolkata Knight Riders' maiden IPL title.

No one manages a party quite like West Bengal Chief Minister, Ms Mamata Banerjee. She proved that again on Tuesday at the Eden Gardens. Unfazed by the sweltering summer heat, 70,000-odd people packed Eden greeted the Knights.

Bengali bands Chandrabindoo, Bhoomi and Dohar belted out popular numbers. “The heat does not bother us. We were waiting for this moment for the last five years. We are living a dream,” Mr Monojit Kumar, a KKR fan, said.

Armed with bandanas, caps and a host of KKR accessories, frenzied Kolkatans cheered shouted slogans and “showered love” in support of the home-team.

“Thank you Kolkata for all your love and support for all these years,” co-owner Shah Rukh Khan told ecstatic fans at a felicitation ceremony organised by the West Bengal Government. The West Bengal Government, who according to critics had hijacked a club's win into a victory of Bengal, had been quick to announce that the reception would be open to all and there would be no tickets for fans.

“It is a big day for us Kolkatans. Shah Rukh and Gautam (Gambhir) have made us proud,” beamed Mr Aashis Roy, a college goer who was rushing in the stadium.

According to Kolkata Police, Eden Garden gates were opened at around 10 a.m. Crowds have been waiting since 8.00 a.m. to enter the stadium.

Road show

Earlier in the day, the city came to a standstill as the victorious KKR joined a road show from that was flagged-off from Hazra Road to Writers' Buildings, where they met the Chief Minister. The team rode on an open truck, amid shower of confetti and loud cheer from thousands of people lining the roads.

>abhishek.l@thehindu.co.in

Related Topics
comment COMMENT NOW