Following the West Bengal government’s grand, successful,
much-appreciated felicitation of Indian Premier League champions Kolkata
Knight Riders, the state is planning to fete chess champion Viswanathan
Anand with similar pomp. On Friday, the West Bengal sports minister
congratulated Anand for winning his fifth World title and invited him to
visit Kolkata.
Speaking to reporters outside Writers’ Buildings in Kolkata after a meeting with chief minister Miss Mamata Banerjee, Trinamul Congress MP Mr Derek O’Brien said: “Our leader is very happy that Anand has won the chess title and wants to hold a public felicitation. She has instructed officials concerned to make necessary arrangements at Eden Gardens. Should the officials fail to rise to the occasion, our leader will personally take care of the arrangements. Shah Rukh Khan will be a part of the grand event and will entertain the crowd. This time, we’ll make sure that former national security advisor and the honourable Governor of West Bengal MK Narayanan too does his share of entertaining by singing and shaking a leg with Shah Rukh Khan.”
Mr Mukul Roy, a close confidant of the chief minister who holds some insignificant post in the Union ministry, was at Mr O’Brien’s side when the announcement was made. When journalists asked them about the link between Viswanathan Anand and West Bengal, a visibly-irritated Mr Roy retorted: “Do not ask such provocative questions. If we can celebrate the victory of a cricket team that has an Australian coach, a Delhi captain, Mumbai owners, players from around the world when the most famous Bengali cricketer represents another team and dub the victory as Bengal’s pride, why can’t we honour a true champion such as Viswanathan Anand? India is proud of him. Anand’s victory is Bengal’s victory. Korechi, Lorechi, Jeetechi. We believe in encouraging all sportspersons. That is real poriborton.”
When confused reporters persisted with their line of questioning, an animated chief minister emerged and drew the two Trinamul men apart: “Do not answer questions posed by Maoist journalists,” she warned them and eyeing the reporters angrily, thundered: “Vanish!”
Jest Kidding has learnt from sources in the Trinamul on condition of anonymity that Anand has expressed his inability to participate in the event because of prior engagements. “The felicitation would definitely be accorded, even if the chess champion is not present,” confirmed a source.
Link: http://www.thestatesman.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=412345&catid=39
Speaking to reporters outside Writers’ Buildings in Kolkata after a meeting with chief minister Miss Mamata Banerjee, Trinamul Congress MP Mr Derek O’Brien said: “Our leader is very happy that Anand has won the chess title and wants to hold a public felicitation. She has instructed officials concerned to make necessary arrangements at Eden Gardens. Should the officials fail to rise to the occasion, our leader will personally take care of the arrangements. Shah Rukh Khan will be a part of the grand event and will entertain the crowd. This time, we’ll make sure that former national security advisor and the honourable Governor of West Bengal MK Narayanan too does his share of entertaining by singing and shaking a leg with Shah Rukh Khan.”
Mr Mukul Roy, a close confidant of the chief minister who holds some insignificant post in the Union ministry, was at Mr O’Brien’s side when the announcement was made. When journalists asked them about the link between Viswanathan Anand and West Bengal, a visibly-irritated Mr Roy retorted: “Do not ask such provocative questions. If we can celebrate the victory of a cricket team that has an Australian coach, a Delhi captain, Mumbai owners, players from around the world when the most famous Bengali cricketer represents another team and dub the victory as Bengal’s pride, why can’t we honour a true champion such as Viswanathan Anand? India is proud of him. Anand’s victory is Bengal’s victory. Korechi, Lorechi, Jeetechi. We believe in encouraging all sportspersons. That is real poriborton.”
When confused reporters persisted with their line of questioning, an animated chief minister emerged and drew the two Trinamul men apart: “Do not answer questions posed by Maoist journalists,” she warned them and eyeing the reporters angrily, thundered: “Vanish!”
Jest Kidding has learnt from sources in the Trinamul on condition of anonymity that Anand has expressed his inability to participate in the event because of prior engagements. “The felicitation would definitely be accorded, even if the chess champion is not present,” confirmed a source.
Link: http://www.thestatesman.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=412345&catid=39
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