Kolkata: Though Germany, the home for FIFA World Cup 2006, is thousands of kilometres away from football crazy Kolkata, the heat of the global football fest is probably best felt in this eastern Indian metropolis.
Kolkata has been renowned for its Latin connection when it comes to football. Around every World Cup, Kolkata sports colours of the Brazilian and Argentine flags.
A group of Brazil fanatics performed a fire ceremony and offered prayers to the Gods so that their favourite team wins the Cup for the sixth time.
"We offered prayers so that Brazil wins this time. I am one of the biggest fans of Brazil", said Indranath Das, a Brazilian fan.
This is no surprise for whoever knows the kind of passion Kolkata has for things it loves, football being at the top of the list.
"Actually it was my idea. We thought before going for some good work we'd pray for our success, because we are Brazilian supporters. It would be a better thing if we prayed to God for Brazil's success. So we did this. Most of them are Brazil's supporters, 99 percent," Abhijeet Mukherjee, the organiser, said.
Brazil, a four-time winner of the greatest honour in the world of football, is a top contender this time as well.
This is the not the first time that prayers were offered for a sport in the city. Kolkatan are known for "religiously" following the sports they love.
Young football fans of the city are going crazier by the day as the countdown for the D-day on June 9 is nearing its end.
More pragmatic football lovers feel that the game still has a long way to go in this cricket-crazy nation and genuine efforts are needed if India ever
needs to make the cut in the big league.
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