DIWALI BEFORE HOLI

 

LT COL NOEL ELLIS

 

10/III/2025

 

Gabbar while walking ‘on the rocks’, holding his favourite leather belt with pointed nails with which he used to give special treatment to all those who dared to disobey him, kept asking Saamba “Kab Hai Holi” ……. In the meanwhile, Jai and Veeru formulated a master deception plan on the side lines which Gabbar never imagined.

 

A few days before Holi, people of Ramgarh celebrated Diwali instead. Gabbar got thoroughly confused when he heard crackers and saw fireworks bursting in every village around his hideout. Folks were on the roads; the mood was festive and jubilant as if Gabbar had been put in his place.

 

Well, that was the state of affairs in the Blue City. The sky was lit with sparklers. Crackers and “Patakhas” came out from the reserve stocks. Celebrations lasted till well beyond midnight. The whole town and especially our colony went into a frenzy of sorts. It was party time. The whole country had united.

 

India had lifted the Champions Trophy. The team was ecstatic and deserved it. All their hard work, dedication and devotion paid. The crowd in the stadium was already ‘blue’ cheering our men in blue. The result was known even after India lost the toss for the fifteenth time in a row. Toss didn’t matter.

 

There were special prayers, yagyas, havans, fasts, crossed fingers and legs and you name it. Imagine, 25 crore people from across the border were praying for India to lose, versus more than 200 crore people praying for India to win. I am counting NRIs and those who have gone abroad to work also. I am not counting the 53 lakh ‘New Zealanders’ who must be praying for the ‘men in black’ to win.

 

Poor Pakistan, boasted about it, hosted it, got roasted and toasted in the end when they did not qualify and also did not have the privilege to host the finals in their country. I am sure they would be feeling humiliated. Memes are already spreading like wildfire.

 

Time for Pakistan to learn their lessons and get their priorities right both in terms of the game as well as their foreign relations. India, they know is way ahead in all spheres. If they compare themselves with us, then there is something drastically wrong. No point dear. Get your house in order. We no longer need to carry out surgical strikes as you have enough insiders to do the damage.

 

All Gods, though Gods are supposed to be neutral, were favouring India yesterday. This was seen when they decided to bless India through their typical ‘godly signs’. They had  made a ‘Halo’ around the moon which indicated they were protecting ‘Team India’ from all evil eyes and designs from heaven. Who dare beat us when the Gods are with you!

 

It was tense but it was fun. In our heart of hearts, we knew the results. But as usual, India cannot help give the crowd hiccups. There was a twist when wickets fell in quick succession.

 

I thought about switching off the TV and wait for the fireworks to start. Then I decided against it. No one moved from where they were sitting or standing and no one was allowed to move either. Though not superstitious but then it happens when you get up a wicket falls or they drop a catch. Catches win matches, no.

 

Finally, the cup was in our hands. More than the team, the two ladies of Emirates Airlines were the happiest. A proud moment for the sponsors too.

 

Congratulations team India. This is just one milestone. We wish you all Good Luck and God Speed in all future endeavours. We win some and we lose some, but remember, it is the intent and spirit behind the fight which matters more. Keep the Tricolour flying high always.

 

We enjoyed celebrating Diwali again before Holi. Which festival will we celebrate next! Should we ask Gabbar? I wonder!!!!!

 

JAI HIND
©® NOEL ELLIS