Cheering for Cheerleaders – Awe - inspiring tell tale

Forty Five days of complete action and entertainment is something that each one us wait for.  Cricket + Entertainment = ‘Criketainment’ is what ‘Indian Premier League’ is all about.  Amazing team (s) playing remarkable game with some awesome cheerleaders cheering for their respective team.  Entertainment, excitement, thrill, the joy and disheartenment all emotions are seen during the game of IPL. 

Whenever you go to the stadium to see a match for the team you are supporting, I am sure you would love to see the cheerleaders cheering for that team.  Isn’t it?  Of course, it’s natural because besides the matches, one thing which is associated intimately with IPL is the cheer girls.

Ever thought about ‘Behind the scenes’ action, the prepping of the girls that cheer for their team, where they stay, what they eat, who look after them etc.  I am sure all of you at some point in time think about it.  Well, this piece of mine that you are reading will tell you everything about it.

 I just thought to pen down my personal travel experience with these gorgeous ladies who come from across the nation and acclimatize themselves to the heat of India.  Why heat is because they come from an arctic region where they barely get to see the sun.

Last year I had an opportunity to travel and look after these lovely cheer girls.  You must be thinking why I am writing now.  Well, I have been thinking to pen down my feelings for quite long, please don’t kill me for this…but by the time I realized I must share my experience with all, the next season of IPL commenced. (Hands covering eyes *Can’t watch*)

So these twenty lovely girls landed on 1^st April.  Full of zest, these girls were completely geared up to cheer for their team.  We managed to bag two teams in Season 5 which were Delhi Daredevils (DD) and Kings Eleven Punjab (KXIP).  Ten girls required in each team to cheer for next 45 days.  The choreography began the next day followed by the dress fittings.  The entire day was packed due to rehearsals, fittings and other basic things that the girls had to do.

All these girls were tall, loveable and sexy that came from top dance schools across the nation.  Some were great dancers and few others were great gymnasts.  Let me tell you that the selection of the girls is no child’s play.  The selection process is extremely exhaustive and begins as early as two months before the commencement of IPL in the month of April.

The day the girls landed I started getting frantic calls from Media to cover them.  Everyone wanted to cover the girls first to get the maximum readership.  The paparazzi followed them everywhere.  Well, we all are in some sort of rat race always and try to grab points as much as we can at work.  Right! 

The girls were busy having their breakfast when I entered the hall of the hotel they were putting up in.  Few were busy on their iphone and others were just relaxing at a sofa placed nearby.  They all gave a beaming smile to me with a big hello.  I must say they were all very friendly and affectionate. 

The girls were all set for their first domestic flight to Kolkata for their first match performance.

During my flight with them, I came to know from one of the girls that she might leave early.  I was taken aback and asked her the reason.  She told me that she is studying in the university in Keiv and has her final exams scheduled that time.  She said she would be there for a month though.  

We reached Kolkata and after making them understand Indian cuisine for about 45minutes, the girls ordered food.  After trying some fine Indian delicacies, non spicy of course, all gathered in the lobby with their facetime/skype ids on to talk to their dear ones.  I was curious to know what does these girls do back home.  I enquired and came to know that few of the girls were studying in the university, few others were working and one or two ran their own dance schools.  I was impressed.  What made me more proud about hindi language specially was when one of the girls told me that she studies hindi as a subject in the university.  It came as a surprise to me.  To give us all a preview of what she knows little bit about hindi, she introduced herself to us in hindi.

The first match performance was scheduled.  The girls were nervous because they didn’t know the game.  Atul, my colleague Saurabh (who had to travel everywhere with the girls, on and off ground) and myself tried explicating the game to them.  They were told when to dance on the podium and when not to.  We told them about the ‘Fours and Sixes’ and few other basics about the game.  The announcement was made and before entering the ground, ‘The Eden Gardens’ they formed a circle and prayed.  It was new to me as I had only seen the players do that on TV before they begin with their game.

The crowd cheered for the girls and the girls cheered for their team.  They all understood the game in the first match itself and were glad cheering for their team.  The team won and the girls were proud to say that.  

There had been times when the team was defeated.  On that particular day, the disheartenment would encircle the girls.  The emotions would be distinctly visible and once again these girls would start with a new beginning, with a new ray of hope that the team will win.

The girls had a half day free and they wanted to shop around and explore the city.  The girls shopped few accessories like armlets, earrings etc and then we left for the airport.  On reaching New Delhi, the girls enquired if they could go shopping here as well.  I nodded and left with a promise of taking them to India Gate and Janpath.  The girls wanted to see the hustling-bustling markets of the city.  I asked them what two things they relate to the country when they hear the name ‘India’.  You know what answer did I get?  Elephants, Sarees and Taj Mahal.  Isn’t it great?  The girls wanted to drape a saree and asked me the various styles (the women adorned) they were seeing everywhere on the roads.

They all loved shopping at Janpath and Sarojini, the shopping hub of New Delhi. 

The girls used to take pictures of everything where ever they went.  Monkeys, cows, goats any kind of animal made them crazy.  They used to jump in excitement.  

After a long day of sightseeing we all came back to the hotel.  The food was laid.  They ate flavored yoghurt, mashed potatoes, fresh fruits, green salads, meat and chicken with zero spice.  They told me that they had never eaten spice and had always consumed boiled vegetables with salt and cheese in it.

They told me that they do not get fresh fruits in their country and that the fruits in India they were relishing upon are ‘luxury’ in their terms.  The match performance, After match parties performance the girls enjoyed every bit of their tour to India. 

All they wanted to see was Taj Mahal before leaving India.  The visit to Taj Mahal for all of them was like a dream come true for them.  They posed in front of Taj Mahal wearing sarees with hands folded (Namaste).  They said that Indian culture fascinates them a lot.  The bangles, the bindi, the tikka all seemed very unique to them.  They wanted to practice yoga every day.

We all have seen our mothers and grandmothers with a needle and thread in their hand sewing clothes etc.  Can you ever imagine a cheerleader with a needle and thread in her hand?  No, I guess you can’t.  

It so happened that on a bright sunny Sunday when it was a rest day for the girls, I went to the hotel to check if the girls were comfortable.  I knocked at one of the doors and Natalia opened the door.  Anna’s head was down and sitting on her bed she was busy doing something.  She invited me in and I saw a beautiful piece of bright colored cloth well decorated with sequins with needle and thread in her hands.  “What is it?” I asked.  “It’s a belly belt”, she answered.  “Can I see it”, I sought her permission.  “Of course, why not”, she happily handed me the piece of cloth.  I gave a close look to the cloth and enquired, ‘Did you do it?’She said, “Yes! I make belly belts for my friends who do belly dancing so that they could save on money.”  I was moved with this act of hers.  She was indeed talented and on humanitarian grounds she helped her friends to save on money which otherwise would cost a bomb to her friends if they would go out and buy for themselves.

The love, the affection, the zest to feel and explore other culture and country was purely and vividly visible on the faces of these girls.  All alone for the first time, these stunning girls gathered courage to come to India, of course for work leaving their dear ones behind with some vision in their minds.  They had come to India for work but they all mentioned that more than work, they wanted to explore India as they totally loved the culture, the food, the people almost everything about India.  They had a feeling of awe for India.

It was time to bid good bye.  The girls cried at the airport stating they would miss each one of us and would reminisce the great time they had in India.  It seemed as if ‘The Gala Night’ had come to an end with lots of music and action and it was time to wrap up. 

The action is about to begin……..

Season 6 of IPL is about to commence.  We can all feel it in the air.  The ad commercials, ringtones, merchandise on stores etc. all have taken their places.  Indian Premiere League is one of the most sought after professional leagueTwenty20 cricket championship in India.  All the cricket frenzied fans wait for it.  

The other day I accompanied my husband to a place, a govt. office to be precise.  I was waiting outside a big room full of people busy doing their work.  I could hear the loud dissonance of the typewriters, printers etc.  The place outside the room was stinking.  Somehow, I was bearing with that filthy smell.  

As I was observing the people and things around, suddenly somebody’s phone rang.  It had a ringtone of the official IPL music.  There I realized the IPL fever is definitely on.

Augustus is also geared up for the action.  Cheerleaders have been shortlisted, visa applied all that we are looking forward for is now the arrival of the girls.  The real action starts from the time the cheerleaders will land.

The diligent effort of the team of Augustus has made a mark on the minds of all.  The two teams Kings Eleven Punjab (KXIP) and Delhi Daredevils (DD)’s sponsored by White Mischief will be seen on the ground cheering for their respective team players.

The dress fitting and the choreography will begin as soon as the girls land.  The King of Bollywood and the co-owner of Kolkata Knight Riders, Shah Rukh Khan along with Katrina Kaif will be performing at the opening ceremony planned at the Salt Lake Stadium on April 2, at 7.30pm (IST) for the launch of the sixth edition of the Indian Premier League.  Well, there’s more in store for everyone.  Besides SRK and Katrina, Pitbull will also be performing at the opening ceremony.  It will also feature flying drummers, Chinese percussionists and some awesome fireworks.

So, sit back and let the action begin.  By the Way, Which team are you supporting?

Morning Walk

Morning walks are sheer bliss.  We can observe many things that would usually go unnoticed because of the hectic schedule that we follow.  It has been a while now since I started going on morning walks, thanks to my husband, Atul.  We realised that it was high time we went for such walks.  The push and support from both ends made it happen. And, I am glad!

When the first rays of the sun touch earth, you can experience a magical moment.  The chirping of the birds makes the surroundings cheerful.  I love the playful look in the eyes of the dog that comes out on the walk with his owner.  The manner in which it wags its tail shows how joyous it is.  The energy with which it catches the ball thrown by his owner is intense. 

Walking in the park, I saw a group of the elderly practicing yoga.  The banner behind the instructor read: Yoga-ashram.  They also had a laughter session.  No, nobody cracked a joke but it is a part of the exercise I believe. 

Moving further away, I watched a group of women singing devotional songs.  A few were singing and others discussing which song to be sung next.  Their state of elation when singing songs of their choice is something which I will never be able to describe adequately. But I looked at Atul and we exchanged smiles. 

I was happy. No, not exactly happy but my heart melted, seeing the elderly women singing and enjoying with no worry on their face as if they are done with the responsibilities and their only job was to remember the almighty in some way or the other.

My reverie was shaken by the noise being made by the boys playing football nearby.  Dressed in white and red T-shirts with three-fourths and sport shoes, the kids were engrossed in their game.  A little ahead, I saw another set of boys playing cricket.  This indeed is a cricket frenzy nation.  Sport, oh boy, is a lifeline for every human being. 

The path ahead was about to end.  Many couples and a few men and women were walking briskly ahead of us. We moved out of the park to the road. The florist was busy setting up his shop to help spread cheer and earn his daily bread.  Across the road, his rival had already taken up his place and was making a bouquet.

Meanwhile, students in school uniform were waiting for their bus with their parents and a few others accompanied by their pet dogs as well.  The milkman was out while the newspaper guy was busy separating the brands of papers to make it easy for him when delivering.

As the early morning slipped into a busy day, I could hear honking all around. The hustle and bustle was clearly visible as office-goers replace school children on the landscape.  The feeling of bliss that I experienced when walking is just memorable and I can’t wait for another such morning.

Nostalgia…

The busy and robotic life that we all lead nowadays has restricted us to appreciate Mother Nature and its beauty all around.  The chirping of the birds, the green trees and colorful flowers, the green grass in the garden, the flock of birds up in the sky etc. are few to be named as beauty of nature.

The other day I was going to drop my daughter to school in the morning.  Her school is just opposite to my society.  All I have to do is to cross two busy roads to reach the school.  After crossing one road I stood on the pavement to let the vehicles pass.  My daughter being too tiny to run on the road, I didn’t take a chance and thought to let the vehicles pass although it were only few.

I kissed her on the cheek and bid her good bye.  On returning back after crossing one road, I stood again on the pavement.  Usually, I run in the middle of the vehicles to reach the other end.  This time I didn’t stop to let the vehicles pass.  I stopped because a ‘butterfly’ fluorescent green in color was playing around and came in right in front of my eyes.  That playfulness of the butterfly took me back to my childhood instantly.  I was charmed looking at it just like a kid gets thrilled looking at a new toy gifted to him. 

This was probably my very first experience of looking at a butterfly in my everyday so called modern and busy life.  For a moment I forgot where I was and completed a full circle orbing on the ‘axis’ I was standing on. 

My eyes kept following the fluorescent butterfly and in minutes it disappeared in the small green bushes with yellow flowers on it.  I came back into reality and crossed the road.  The smile upon my face vanished with the disappearance of the butterfly.  “I wish I could see more of it” I spoke to myself.

The distance from my house to the school is barely a kilometer.  That day it took me very long reaching back home.  I was engrossed in the butterfly and it took me to my childhood days.

 I fondly remember the days of my childhood and especially the ones when I used to play in the park right in front of my house.  The verandah of my house was open and I could see the motley colored butterflies playing around.  I believe (personally) one of the most loving moments of a child when he sees the butterfly and starts following. 

There were few naughty boys who used to tie the thread around the butterfly’s antennae and used to play with it.  I somehow never liked the idea of binding the butterfly which is so playful and gives you inner happiness when you see the butterfly playing around. 

I used to silently exit my being from there since I couldn’t do anything except saying, ‘we must not tie the butterfly, set it free’.  The image of the butterfly that I have in my mind when I used to see as a child is that of a brown colored with white very tiny dots on it. 

The most favorite drawing that I used to make as a kid in school was of a butterfly.  I used to give so many colors to it.  I cannot forget how once again I went down the memory lane of my childhood days just because of a butterfly.  This indeed is Nostalgia….

A Reflection of God

It was a lovely Sunday morning.  When every other person was in deep slumber after a week’s hard work, I was up early all geared up to go with my father to attend the religious congregation which is held every Sunday morning.  The religious congregation, called ‘Satsang’ in a common man’s language was lead by my Guru.  I am an ardent follower of him.  I call him Maharaj ji. 

I have been watching all my family members following Guru.  Guru, shows the light, the path that lead you to God.  At the age of 17 or 18 may be, I am not sure, I took the ‘Initiation’ (Naam Deeksha) from Maharaj ji.  ‘Initiation’ is the mantra, 'sacred utterance' of ‘Ram Naam’.  The name of the place was also dedicated to Lord Ram, called ‘Ram Sharnam’.

Shri Ram Sharnam is a place; I would love to visit over and over again and that too anytime.  This is a place for me where god dwells.  The inner peace that I get after visiting this holy place is inexplicable.  The serenity of the place brings tranquility to my mind.  The power of the almighty (Shri Ram) bind my roots to stay connected to this holy place.

I still remember the day when I went to Shri Ram Sharnam.  The place was full of people as always.  The age group was not defined.  I could see people of all age group there. From an old man, an old woman, a middle aged man and woman, a young boy and a young girl to kids.  Basically, people of all age groups visit this place.

As I entered the huge hall, somebody asked me why I was waiting there.  Since there was a pin drop silence and that somebody whispered to me, I also whispered in her ear and said, “I have come to see Maharaj ji.  I want to take ‘Deeksha’ from him”.  She directed me towards a room where few people were already standing with folded hands.

Hands folded because; when we pray we fold our hands.   Their prayer was still going on I believe as their hands were folded.  I joined them with folded hands.  Someone came and asked all of us to enter the room and we all sat down on a white sheet, it was as white as cotton that was laid on the floor.

I noticed there were 3-4 middle aged men and two girls including me.   I observed everyone’s eyes were shut.  I also closed my eyes.  The moment I closed my eyes, I heard someone saying, Maharaj ji is about to come.  Everyone opened their eyes and at once got stuck at the door.

A saintly figure entered the room with folded hands and a smile on the face.  His tiny eyes hid behind the spectacles he was wearing.  He took his seat right in front of us.  There was pin drop silence and then Maharaj ji said, “You all are here for Deeksha.  The sacred utterance of Shri Ram must be done regularly.”  As he preached, more than hearing, I could feel the clarity in his voice, the sparkle in his eyes mesmerized me.   I was awestruck. 

He then made us meditate for few minutes teaching us the method of meditation and he kept uttering the sacred name of Lord Ram.  We all followed after him.  After his preaching was over, the strength of the room began to fall.  Everyone went to Maharaj ji to take something he was distributing to everyone present.

It was my turn now.  My heart beat was fast as if I am meeting the counselor who had come from outside school to take my viva.  Why it was happening, I still couldn’t figure it out.  With a smile on the face, he gave me a dark pink colored garland with 108 beads.  He didn’t say a word.  I was wordless too.  More than speechless, I was so much beguiled by his presence that my mind just ceased serving.

I came out with a wonder joy and smiled after seeing my father standing outside the hall.  “You got it” asked my father in pride.  “Yes, Papa” said I.  I just couldn’t stop describing Maharaj ji to papa.  It was the first time I saw him that close.  “A Reflection of God” I believe.

Why Mars and Venus Collide?

 The alarm of my Blackberry started ringing at 6.00am.   Aarohan, my son has school.  “Get up son, it’s time to get ready for school”, I said, in a thick voice dismissing the alarm.  I was trying to open my eyes wide but the light coming from the door ajar didn’t let me open them.  Aarohan like an obedient child got up and went straight to the bathroom.  I was still lying in the bed.  If we get only five minutes of more sleep in the morning, we feel as if we have got an hour.  I got up hurriedly as if I have actually slept for an hour.  Aarohan, all dressed up was combing his hair.  After having my thyroid medicine which I have to take it religiously, I went into the kitchen to make his tiffin and his milk.

All set, I went to drop him to school without speaking anything.  “Your bag is very heavy, son, How do you manage to carry it every day?” I questioned.  He didn’t answer, probably trying to search his friends at the main gate and bid me goodbye.

It was just a normal day for me.  I came back home all set to be in action for other household chores.  It was time for me to wake up my daughter.  Her school starts exactly an hour after Aarohan’s.  I went through all the things which I did for my son.  Leaving her in the school, I came back home, desperately wanting to have my morning cup of tea.  I comforted myself on the chair and started reading the newspaper.  I read a few headlines and then put it back on the table.  Something inside me was forcing me to shut the newspaper as if there was nothing interesting in the paper.  I was not in high spirits.  Everything seemed stagnant to me.  I was feeling lazy to take bath.  I got up and went to take bath thinking I would feel better.  All the while there was something going on in my mind. What? I do not know myself.  It was as if my mind was totally blank and my reflexes are dead.

I was reading a book few days back called why Mars and Venus collide?  It is about the relationship between men and women.  How can we improve on our relations and what necessary steps and measures we must take to lead a healthy life? 

The book basically acts as a mirror in which you may see your reflection, judge what is right and what is wrong and try to correct it all by yourself.  I wonder how many of us do that.  There have been times when we completely disagree with something and get into an unintentional argument with our loved ones.  We fight; we make up, accept what is wrong and then move on in life.  This is how many of us live and take life as it comes.

The book spoke about the hormones of men and women.  How both of them react differently on certain things.  A man can focus on one thing at a time whereas a woman is multi tasking.  For example: If a man is engrossed in doing something on his laptop or phone, he would not hear anything from whatever source.  Whereas, a woman may be talking to someone, cooking at the same time and still manages to think that she has left the tap open in the bathroom.

Similarly, if a woman is upset that means she is unable to concentrate on anything.  Whereas,  if a man is upset about something, he would prefer not to worry about the thing and just let it go without thinking too much about it.

I have been thinking too much about the book and its contents.  In fact, some of the content amused me.  While reading, I was imagining as if the whole episode is happening somewhere around. 

A hug says it all.  The writer has emphasized that most of the problems are solved by a simple hug.  I think it’s true.  If a husband gives a hug while going for work and gives a hug when he comes back from work, wife will certainly appreciate this natural gesture.  If only ‘Mars’ could give an ear to what ‘Venus’ is saying, more than half of the problem is solved there and then. 

I have also felt that many a times if we actually sit down and contemplate on the discussion or argument (s) that a wife and husband has, it is merely non sense.  It is as if ‘Mars’ and ‘Venus’ are destined to argue on trivial issues.  One thing which I think is absolutely right in the book is that when a woman is stressed, nothing on this earth can make her happy.  No matter what a man does for her, she will not take anything into consideration unless her stress is busted. 

The list is never ending I feel.  There is love and there are fights in each and every relationship.  We stumble and start walking again.  Hence, to go hand in hand is the best comfort.