Daijiworld News Network - Mangalore - Pics Dayanand Kukkaje

by Richie Lasrado

Mangalore,  Jun 12: We have heard of the gully cricket, but were yet to have heard of a game of traffic circle cricket.

Monday, June 12 was a memorable day for the residents of Jeppu in the city when a cricket game was played right adjacent to the Marnamikatta main circle joining roads approaching from the two railway overbridges and the third from the Nandigudda (Shantinagar) bus stop. It was meant to be a mark of protest against the sacrifice of a century-old public ground at the altar of city development.

The name Shantinagar fits the area at the next circle, with the Nandigudda crematorium, the Protestants' and the Cascia church burial grounds in the vicinity - a place of peace for the departed souls. 

The good old Shantinagar cricket ground (housing what was known as the Vaman Nayak radio pavilion - being located opposite the old Vaman Nayak watch factory, now better known as the location of the Supreme Auto Dealers) - was  facing extinction and oblivion.

The ground was to be reportedly made over to the MESCOM to set up a power distribution or feeder point. That was another facility so far available to the citizens to relax, jog, walk along or to play games, likely to vanish from public memory.

A committee was recently formed to save the ground and have it retained for the citizens' use and benefit. Monday's protest had been widely publicized in the media. Hence a large crowd had gathered at the circle in front of the Sanrita complex to savour the flavour of cricket being played in an 'outdoor' (or 'outroad') location.

To begin with the opening bowler bowled a 'maiden' - social worker Harini inaugurated the game by wielding the bat. There were no rules for  the game. No umpires, no restrictions on field placements. It was all fun, although there was disappointment in store for those expecting slips, fine legs, short legs, long legs etc., as one would have expected at a festival cricket match between film stars' teams.  (Unlike the outfits of film stars on such occasions, here in our case, everyone's attire had 'extra cover'.) There was not even 'gully' since the game of cricket was on in the middle of the road.

Political leaders like Ivan D'Souza, U T Khader, Sadashiva Amin, P V Mohan, S P Chengappa and others were arrested for blocking the road and were released later.

Advocate Ivan D'Souza, speaking exclusively to daijiworld later said that the citizens' were enjoying the benefit of the ground for over a century and the official concerned had made over the possession at his level without proper approval from the city administration. The city body's meeting on Monday is said to have ordered removal of the enclosure and maintenance of the status quo.

When the stumps were drawn, it was victory for cricket and the people's unity. It was a draw all right, but definitely not a drag, since it was packed with action and fun. For once, rain did not stop the play.

As the crowd left, the name of another complex on the other side -  'Turning Point'  - drew many people's attention. Indeed the game was a turning point for the agitators.