Kolkatans enjoy football, rain

KOLKATA - As the mercury dipped with the monsoon arriving in West Bengal, the people of soccer-crazy Kolkata enjoyed the weekend playing football and watching the action at the FIFA World Cup.

With the monsoon entering major parts of the state and decreasing the heat and humidity, school students and teenagers were seen playing football in the slushy fields.

“The monsoon has entered large parts of West Bengal,” announced G.C. Debnath, the superintendent of the Regional Meteorological Centre here.

The children donned jerseys of their favourite teams with the names of their favourite players monogrammed on them.

“It’s great. We will play till night falls. Then we will go back and watch the matches,” said Romi Burman, a Class 2 student.

Pradip Rajbanshi, a teenager wearing Argentine colours with Lionel Messi’s name embroidered on it, said: “Every year, during this season we love to play football. But this time its special as the football World Cup is on.”

Many people chose to stay indoors and enjoy the day with their family. Several people keeping in mind the soothing weather changed their lunch menu.

“After a tiring summer, it is the first Sunday with such a soothing temperature. We will will have ‘hilsa’ (a variety of fish) fry along with ‘kichdi’ (thick gruel) for dinner. I will also see both the matches scheduled today,” said Swapan Das, a school teacher.

Plasma television sets have been installed in various localities where the football lovers will gather and savour the games, alongside munching ‘muri’ (puffed rice) and potato fries.

“We have raised money from the people of the locality and arranged a TV set. Both old and young of the locality will gather and cheer for their favourite team. All of them will be given muri and potato fry,” said Shyam Das of Nagerbazar locality.