Kidnap industry stifles GenNext

BETTIAH: In November last year, teenager Tejeshwi Somani left his home here for a game of cricket. He was kidnapped. This is just one of the many incidents which scared parents from allowing their children the pleasure of playing outside. It was certainly not cricket. The kidnap industry has stifled the Gen-Next, forced them to stay indoors, compelled them to become couch potatoes, content by watching the Sehwags, Laras and Afridis on screen.The kidnappers put civil society on the back foot. "Bachcha school jata hai to dar lagta hai," rued a worried mother, convinced that outdoor sports must be a taboo for her son. What about schools? Not many have the infrastructure. A few that do have playing fields no longer appear enthusiastic on nurturing sports. Yet, boys will be boys. Many defy parental diktats and head for the Bara Ramna here. All for a game of cricket. Once a polo ground, the Ramna is home to several cricket clubs, a turf for many teams, attired in contrasting attires — from lungis to flannels! "We too are scared by incidents of kidnapping", cricket crazy Amit told TOI, adding: "We come to the ground and return home in groups." In the same Bara Ramna last week, youngsters ran the race of their lives for a place in the police force. One aspirant died on the tracks. The heat is murderous. In another corner of the Ramna, an inter-school cricket tourney was underway, the oppressive heat no deterrent, a huge crowd confirms it. But Bettiah Cricket club, the organisers of the Dr A P Verma Tournament, had early morning match timings — 7 am to 11 am. Six schools — K Raja, St Xavier's, St Michael's, Amna Urdu, Alok Bharati and Notre Dame — participated. School managements were spurred. "Many hired coaches to train the boys, teachers stood guard over practice sessions," Bettiah Cricket Club secretary Sandeep Verma told TOI, buoyant that the club's efforts had ignited sporting passions amongst city schools. The tournament had a grand final on Sunday. The ground was crowded. Cheer leaders greeted boundaries and wickets with bursts of crackers. The finalists fought hard. The runners up learnt that catches win matches: they floored nearly half a dozen. For the record, K Raja School retained the trophy in a repeat of last year's title clash. Notre Dame lost by 4 wickets. The score: Notre Dame bowled out in 17.4 overs for 102, Avinash hitting 26 off 21 balls. Avinash and Vishal of KR took 3 wickets apiece. KR lost six wickets en route to victory. Vishal hit 19 off 15, Anil 21 off 20 balls. Vineet, Avinash Kumar and Arinash Gupta took two wickets apiece. K Raja lifted the Cup. For civil society, the tournament was a Cup of joy and hope. The town's gentry turned up. Civil society played on the front foot. It signalled courage. Ain't it cricket?