মরণাপন্ন শরণাপন্ন

সৌম্য বসু

মরণাপন্ন শরনাপণ্ন ডাক্তারে
সে ব্যাটা বলে আর আশা নেই
এবার শুধু ডাক তারে
ডাকব যাকে তার চেম্বার
হাসপাতালের মাঝখানে
সামনে রাখা প্রনামী বাক্সে
সর্বসময় লাখ খানেক
তাকে যদি ডাকি দেবে কি সারিয়ে?
শুনেছি সে নাকি সদাই দু হাত বাড়িয়ে?
আবদার শুনে এক চোখ বুঝে,
আধা চোখ খুলে
স্বেত পাথরের বালিশ থেকে
মাথাটাকে তুলে
বলে রেগে গিয়ে
হাসপাতালেও আমাকে খোঁচাবি?
এবার কি তবে আমাকেই দিয়ে
তোর পেশেন্টের ইয়েটা মোছাবি?
সাহস করে বলে ফেলি তবু
অনেক আশা নিয়ে এসেছি যে প্রভু
সব দিও দেব যা রেখেছি জমিয়ে
অসুখটাকে যদি দিতে পারো এট্টু কমিয়ে
এইটুকু শুনে বলে
অনেক আশ্বাস দিয়ে
"আহারে সোনা চিন্তা করেনা,
এখানে বিল না মিটিয়ে, সব না বিকিয়ে
কোনও মরাও তো মরেনা"।
#সৌম্যBose

Sat Jonmo Poreo, Mohun Bagan: Forever Mohun Bagan | Sulagna Banerjee | S...

Hau Mao Khau

Soumya Bose

মানুষ তোমার গ্রাম কে নেমেছি, নাকি নামিয়েছি? যাক গে যাক, এখন আব পুলিশ... খেলবনা...না,না আব পুলিশ নাহি আয়েগা...ঠিক আছে তাহলে খেলা শুরু হোক্...গোল গোল গোল্!!! তিন গোল হযে গেছে, যা শালা, কারা দিল?তিনোমুল বোধহয়, তবে যে ওরা বলল ভাজপা? ধুর্! ভাঁজ পায়ে খেলা যায় নাকি? পাগল না ছি পি এম্? ভাল করে খেল্, বেসটো পিলিযার কে কেষটো বাবু পেরাইজ দেবে...কি আছে রে পেরাইজে? হেব্বি দামি পেরাইজ্, দিদির আঁকা ছবি!কিন্তু কারা যেন কাঁদছে.. হ্যাঁ, স্পষট হাউহাউ কান্না...দুর পাগলা, ওরা দর্শক্...মাওমাও করে উত্সাহ দিচ্ছে...মাও মাও কেন? মা, মাটি, ও মানুষ...মাটি কেড়ে নিযেছে, মানুষ নেই...তাই শুধু মা-ও!! যাক গে চল খেলি, না হলে আবার মাঠে শিল্প মেলা শুরু হয়ে যাবে!!!

How to Unlock an American Tourister Suitcase's Number Lock

• Place the suitcase right side up and look at every number wheel to find a hole at the bottom.
• Bring the holes of the three wheels in the same position.
• Now keep holding the button as to unlock and rotate the 1st wheel and reduce its number by 1.
• Repeat the same process with the rest of the two wheels.
• Again start with the 1st wheel and reduce another 1 position.
• Repeat the same process with the rest of the two wheels.
• Attempt the whole process for the third time and your suitcase will get unlocked.

পশ্চিমে

সৌম্য বসু

দোকলা ঘরের দখিন বাতাস ছোট্ট ঘেরাটোপ্
খানিক দেখা আকাশ আর বৃষ্টি ভেজা রোদ
বাক্সটাকে বোকা বল্লেও, ওই বাঁচিয়ে রাখে আশা
পরবাসে, ভালো বাসে, ভালোবাসার ভাষা
দিনের শেষে, দোকলা ঘরে, একটু এক্কা দোক্কা
চটজলদি মৎস ডিম্ব, কিংবা বেগুন ছক্কা
সবুজ পাহাড় কাছেই আছে, একটু দুরের পথ
দোক্কা তখন তিক্কা যে হয়, দ্বীচক্র যান রথ
প্রিয় দলেরা, প্রিয় বন্ধুরা, প্রিয় বন্ধুর দল্
সঙ্গে যে নেই, তবু দোকলা ঘরের মোবাইল ফোনে, ওদের চলাচল্
কাছের লোকের দুর ভাষ্য​​, দুরের থেকে ভাসে
কাছে না থাকার ঢোঁক গেলাতেই, আরও কাছে আসে
এ পশ্চিমে ভালই আছি, তবু আছি ও পশ্চিমের খোঁজে
ওই পশ্চিমেই যে সুর্য ওঠে, এই পশ্চিমে ডোবে!

Poschime

Soumya Bose

Dokhla ghorer dokhin batash, chotto gheratop
khonik dekha akaash ar brishti bheja rod
bakshotake boka bolleo, oi bnachiye rakhey asha
porobashe, bhalo bashey, bhalobashar bhasha
Diner seshe, dokhla ghore, ektu ekka dokka
chotjoldi motso dimbo kingba begun chokka
sobuj pahar kachei ache, ekhtu durer poth
dokka tokhon tikka je hoy, dwichokro jan roth
priyo dolera, priyo bondhura, priyo bondhur dol
songey nei, tobu dokhla ghorer mobile phone, oder cholachol
Kacher loker dur bhashyo, durer theke bhasey
kachey na thakar dhnok gelatei, aro kache ashe
e poshchime bhaloi achi tobu achi o poschimer khoje
oi poschimei je surjo othey, ei poschime dobe!

The Mask of Soccer

Is it Phantom? Is it Zorro? No, it's a footballer! Well, it's very obvious that the "curiosity index" in the wondering questions is the "mask"! These mysterious, eye catching accessories are more associated to comics and films rather than in football. However, nowadays a very few eyebrows will get raised seeing footballers playing in these. Just a few more days, and we might see Thiago Silva, one of the coveted defenders of the world, to be precise the captain of the most popular football nation, leading his team wearing one of such masks (he has been wearing one after his cheekbone fracture).

Accessory with an Advantage

Soccer players are known for their unique styles. The history of the game saw legendary players flaunting their special styles and accessories on field. Baggio's divine ponytail, Ronaldo's bald but beautiful piece, Valderrama's blonde candy style hair, or Socrates’ famous head band with communist preachings on them, we have seen much more than these. With the rapid increase in TV viewership and Internet audience, players are now keener to create an identity of their own, to look good, to attract their fans. We have always worshipped footballers playing with bandage, an impression that he is the Hero who is playing against odds for our team. Who can forget Beckenbauer of 1970? However, previously, some serious injuries had kept footballers away from field. For example, skull fractures or a broken nose, and even eye problems. With the advancement of the orthopedics, masks and glasses have been designed to allow players take the field safeguarding those injuries or problems. Peter Cech came back from the head blow he received in the Chelsea vs Reading match in 2006. He suffered multiple skull fractures and almost fought a battle against death. He came back on the field after a few months sporting a specially designed head gear in the lines of rugby players. We also remember Edgar Davids of Netherlands wearing a stylish but protective glasses after he had an eye surgery. Paul Gascoigne or Gazza as we know him was one of the footballers who started wearing masks. He used to wear a mask to protect a cheek bone fracture. Gradually many others follow suit. Over the years we have seen Fernando Torres, Demba Ba, Ramires, and many others wearing masks. Players have now gone ahead and customized their masks to their comfort and styling too.

Taking Cue from Other Sports

Although headgears and masks are relatively new additions to soccer, we can often see these in sports like hockey, rugby, boxing, American football, cycling etc. The goaltender or goalie mask worn by hockey (both versions) goalkeepers is a classic example of protective accessories in sports. Headgears became compulsory in amateur boxing since the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles after a furor over serious head injuries and even deaths.

More about the Masks

According to the FIFA guidelines, "Modern protective equipment such as headgear, facemasks, and knee and arm protectors made of soft lightweight padded materials are not considered dangerous and are therefore, permitted." Following these lines, sports medicine has come a long way from the plastic sheet tied to an elastic band”. The modern masks or the headgears are generally made of carbon fiber, a strong but light material.

Football is a body contact game and clashes, crushes, and consequent injuries will continue to happen. Like the knights behind the armors, masks or no masks, footballers will keep giving their best to protect the spirit of the game!

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AIFF and its arbitrary decisions: How much will these help?

So, AIFF has ultimately taken the decision to rusticate Churchill Brothers, Rangdajied United Football Club, Mohammedan Sporting and United Sports Club from the I league structure. The reason being the failure to fulfill the desired licensing criteria. Apparently, a bold step taken by the AIFF officials but how justified is it? How qualified are those who have taken this decision? How much are they acquainted with Indian football? Or what are the steps planned to save this onslaught of Indian club football? Let's see what's the basis of their decision or why are we raising question on this?

The AIFF stated "Based on the documents provided by all the parties concerned and the inspection conducted by the AIFF inspection team in the month of April/ May, the committee found that nine out of the 14 applicants have made the grade while four have failed”. What are these criteria? According to the AFC licensing guidelines, the criteria include:

• Proper youth development programs
• Proper training facilities
• Approved stadium and ability to organize home matches
• Proper club administration under various heads
• Timely and proper audits of the club finances
• Proper medical care and assistance
• Transparency of players ‘contracts and payments
• Appointment of head coach as per AFC guideline

There's no doubt in the necessity of these criteria to solidify a professional setup. However, the question is, how does the semi-professional setup of the century old Indian football system suddenly cope-up to this mandates? AIFF would say that they have given a year's time to the clubs. But have they tried to understand the problems and constraints of the clubs? Do they ever realize how these clubs struggle to meet the ends, years after years they have contributed to Indian football? Did the AIFF ever arranged a sponsor for any of these clubs or helped them in meeting the standard clauses?

AIFF is now banking heavily on the corporate bodies to invest in football. So much so, they have taken risks of ruining the already existing league system to start a franchisee based ISL. Why couldn't they convinced these houses and accommodate them in the existing league format? Not every club is Mohun Bagan, East Bengal or Mohammedan who have huge fan following and various sentiments attached to them. Couldn't the AIFF at least, help some other clubs with tie-ups to these corporate houses? Rangdajied could have been Reliance Rangdajied or United could have used another brand name.

With due respect to the AIFF post holders and their effort, may we question what are their actual experience or quality to run a governing body of football in such a big country? Is a management degree enough? Mr. Kushal Das or Sunanda Dhar, how were they associated with football before coming to AIFF? Who are the AIFF appointed young men and women who inspect the licensing criteria around the country? How many of these people have actually kicked a ball in their life?

Does AIFF have any idea about how the club officials of the country run their clubs? For example, the Kolkata league structure has eight divisions if not more including nursery and women league. Just for the love of football, these numerous clubs are run years after years through personal sponsorships, subscriptions or other meagre means that is practically like begging. Have AIFF or its affiliated members doing anything about this?

Now, about the post-cancellation phase of I league. AIFF says it will try bringing new corporate teams to replace the removed ones. Otherwise, they will continue with what they have. So, why don't they give chance to Bhawanipore and similar clubs who came close to qualifying in the last 2nd division league? Bhawanipore have their own club tent and training ground. They also have functional youth teams and a sound club administration. AIFF is keen on giving advantages to the corporate teams like no relegation for three years, no qualifying stages etc. Have they ever tried these things with the clubs who are suffering and then see the results? AIFF in fact, themselves failed to keep up their own team, even after getting sponsorship from the Pailan group.


Football can’t be compared to any other sports in the world. Mo matter how much money is involved, football thrives on passion. Look around the world. Every successful footballing country has their club based league system as the base and also the core of their structure. They survive on the fan following, their passion is leveraged to generate fund and strengthen the football economy.

So why is AIFF keeping a blind eye on this part? Why are they not trying to safeguard the club system or provide their best assistance to the fan-based clubs? The Churchill brothers have spent millions to keep their club floating; the Mohammedan has millions of fans around the country. Can these factors be overlooked? Why wouldn't AIFF step up and take reigns and not just whip around?

AIFF is the parent body of Indian football. They have these responsibilities to meet. They should behave like parents and not head masters of some money making schools. Arbitrary decisions won't save Indian football, it's time to think rationally and plan to a prospective, reasonable, and productive goal.