The day dawned different at Gobindapur in South 24 Parganas on Wednesday. Residents woke up to find scores of policemen and RAF personnel patrolling the narrow lanes of the sleepy locality. But there was no real negative tension in the air. It was almost bizarrely festive.
So what exactly was happening, wondered the early risers who were out on their daily business.
Till someone let it slip. “Arre Virat asche (Virat is coming).”
What was the India captain doing about 25km away from his plush hotel two days ahead of the much-vaunted pink-ball Test, one might ask.
Virat Kohli was visiting Anandaghar, a home run by Organisation For Friends Energies and Resources (OFFER), for HIV positive kids. While the occasion was a shoot for a TV channel, it did not take away from the fact that about 70 odd kids got the opportunity of a lifetime to meet the biggest name in cricket now — up, close and personal.
Their ages ranging from 3 to 16 years, the kids forgot much of their daily struggle as they got to spend a few hours with Virat. The innocence of the children touched Virat, even as the elder ones clearly showed their happiness. But overall, the discipline inside was in stark contrast to the crowd that had gathered outside to catch a glimpse of the Team India skipper.
Orphaned, abandoned and infected with the dreaded HIV virus — that’s their story. But the confident, happy faces that greet you inside Anandaghar — the house of joy — can teach the more privileged ones a few life lessons. For here, they are allowed to live a life as normal as possible, even going to a regular school.
Aware of the children’s condition, an emotional Virat was eager to draw them close. “Stay happy, that’s the most important thing,” he said.
And he did not have to go back empty-handed. Gifts and a huge bouquet of roses were handed to him. The bouquet had 254 roses, replicating the 254 not out he scored against South Africa in the Test at Pune in October, which India won handsomely. “We are giving you 254 roses. Please score more than that at the Eden,” said a little one, reminding Virat of his job at hand starting from Friday against Bangladesh. And Virat’s smile said it all. Perhaps the captain was hoping he would be able to live up to the expectations of these kids, who are playing a rather tough innings themselves.
The local police had swung into action to ensure that this very important person had a smooth ride to and from Anandaghar. But they had a tough time keeping the crowd at bay. After all, it is not everyday that they get to see the hero India swoons over.
