World Cricket Cup was a wash and a big scam. Tickets were over priced, stadiums were never full. The impact of India losing out early, and the resulting cancellations of people coming from India was huge. A testament to the financial impact India has on this game. Tickets were freely available and I landed up giving away tickets. Tickets were given away free to locals just to fill up the seats. Games were uninteresting. The WCC presumably destroyed the local economy of Barbados since all the regular tourists stayed away.
But despite all of that, one thing shone through...Desi Power. The Indian Diaspora has established a bed rock foundation that is bolstering India's Global stature and interests.
Everyone was mentioning that the loss of India from the Super 8 stage resulted in a huge drop in attendance. The economic clout of Desi's from India was evident. The cruise ship bookings were dismal and they had to give away tickets at a fraction of the price. A cruise that I paid $2000 for was being sold for $200 to fill up the ship! There was a fairly sizeable ship in port and I was told that it was chartered by L.N. Mittal.
Hutch and Hero Honda had private boxes in Grenada. No one was in there so a few of us took advantage of it and watched the Grenada matches in style.
The Desi's were from all over the world. I asked a few PIO's (Person of Indian Origin) who would they root for if India was playing against the country of their residence. The answer was India of course. These were kids born in that country! Desi sentiment runs deep! The Desi's by and large were professionals. The whites were mostly "blue collar". As one "white" American CEO, who we met at the game, characterized it for his wife as...sense and sensibilities Vs. brawn.
India's standing and stature in the world forum is a matter of pride for the Indian Diaspora around the world. Likewise, so is the Diaspora's world accomplishments and stature, a source of pride for India.
There is a symbiotic relationship that exists that we can leverage to TIE it all together.
But despite all of that, one thing shone through...Desi Power. The Indian Diaspora has established a bed rock foundation that is bolstering India's Global stature and interests.
Everyone was mentioning that the loss of India from the Super 8 stage resulted in a huge drop in attendance. The economic clout of Desi's from India was evident. The cruise ship bookings were dismal and they had to give away tickets at a fraction of the price. A cruise that I paid $2000 for was being sold for $200 to fill up the ship! There was a fairly sizeable ship in port and I was told that it was chartered by L.N. Mittal.
Hutch and Hero Honda had private boxes in Grenada. No one was in there so a few of us took advantage of it and watched the Grenada matches in style.
The Desi's were from all over the world. I asked a few PIO's (Person of Indian Origin) who would they root for if India was playing against the country of their residence. The answer was India of course. These were kids born in that country! Desi sentiment runs deep! The Desi's by and large were professionals. The whites were mostly "blue collar". As one "white" American CEO, who we met at the game, characterized it for his wife as...sense and sensibilities Vs. brawn.
India's standing and stature in the world forum is a matter of pride for the Indian Diaspora around the world. Likewise, so is the Diaspora's world accomplishments and stature, a source of pride for India.
There is a symbiotic relationship that exists that we can leverage to TIE it all together.
