Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 25 (IANS) India’s victory in the first ever Twenty20 world cup in South Africa was celebrated in style in Kerala, though the celebrations turned ugly at one spot in the state capital.
Local newspapers reported Tuesday that some young men celebrating India’s victory near Poonthura village on the outskirts of the state capital were attacked when they refused to disperse despite being asked to do so by another group of people.
Three of the young men who were attacked were injured in the ensuing clash and had to be taken to hospital for treatment, the reports said.
News television channel Asianet reported another tragedy when a 22-year-old man called Sanish, a resident of Karunagapally, lost consciousness while watching the match at home and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he later died.
However, elsewhere in the state, people, mostly youths, were out on the streets doing dancing in joy immediately after India’s victory.
Even 86-year-old former Congress leader K. Karunakaran was glued to his TV set watching the victory.
“Now that I have time at my disposal, I watch India’s matches and I am extremely pleased that we have won,” said Karunakaran.
32-year-old Shijie, a housewife of a TV journalist, was kneeling before the TV set when the last over was being bowled.
“I was totally surprised to see my wife kneeling down and engrossed in the match and burst out with tears of joy when India won,” said her husband.
Now Kochi is gearing up to receive S. Sreesanth, the local lad who despite giving away a few runs took the final catch that sealed India’s victory.
Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president, Ramesh Chennithala, announced a special gift of five sovereigns of gold, about 8 gm each, for the bowler.