Sport | Cricket
India to feel at home in Trinidad
It is hard to believe that I am in Trinidad, one of the Caribbean Islands. You move around the place and there are more Indians than the islanders.
- By K.R. Nayar, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:37 May 3, 2009
Port of Spain: It is hard to believe that I am in Trinidad, one of the Caribbean Islands. You move around the place and there are more Indians than the islanders.
"Forty-seven per cent of the people living in Trinidad are of Indian origin," remarked Dhanraj Dass, the owner of Brahmabhuta guest house where I am put up. Dass is of Indian origin, but does not know which part of India he belongs to. His 86-year-old mother speaks fluent Hindi though she was also born here.
Walk into their home and you find a temple in there. For breakfast and dinner I am served Indian food, especially paratha (Indian bread) and alu gobi (a veggie dish made of potato and cauliflower).
Dass is an ardent cricket fan. Proof of that is the World Cup schedule pasted right at the entrance to their home. Two televisions are on through the day showing live World Cup matches. As soon as he learnt that I was a journalist reporting the World Cup, he got a special cable fixed for me so that I am able to watch the matches in my room. He also gave me a radio to listen to the commentary.
Cricket lovers
Old Hindi songs reminding me of my school days can be constantly heard from inside the Dhanraj house, which is next to my room. "We love to listen to Hindi songs. 106.1FM relays Hindi songs for the Indians here," he said. Dass has appointed two taxi drivers, Darren and Rudy, to drop and pick me up from the stadium. It turns out that they too are ardent cricket lovers. Darren has purchased season tickets and has decided to watch all the matches at the Queen's Park Oval.
Eagerly awaiting the India-Sri Lanka clash, Dass remarked, "India will never feel that they are playing away from home in Trinidad. There will be a huge support for them in the match against Sri Lanka. I am told that all tickets have been sold out."
Share this article
Popular in Sport
-
Pictures
Famous female golfers
A look at some famous female golfers, teeing off with Annika Sorenstam
Sport Editor's choice
-
Georgiou, Al Thafiri promise close race
Pirelli Star Driver contest on gravel to be held on Thursday and Friday
-
All-woman team a milestone for Dubai rally
Bin Sulayem all praise for Batikhi and Al Tajir as they gear up for the final leg of FIA Middle East event
-
Del Potro admits there's room for improvement
Virtually assured of ending year as World No 4
