Thaindian News

New Delhi, April 3 (IANS) Some visited places of worship while others distributed sweets among friends and relatives, but one thing common to many Delhiites was that they were enjoying India being crowned World cricket champions as the celebrations continued Sunday.

Parties were organised in various localities and residential societies where people cheered Team India’s performance as they enjoyed lunch and high teas together while praising the brave innings of fellow Delhiite Goutam Gambhir and captain M.S. Dhoni.

“Although Dhoni was declared the man of the match, for me it was Gambhir who took India to victory with his glorious innings,” said Poonam Chopra, a 32-year-old homemaker who had invited all her friends and family over for lunch.

“It took 28 long years for India to win the World Cup again. Our festivities are absolutely justified,” she added.

The national capital erupted in joy Saturday night as India became World cricket champions defeating Sri Lanka by six wickets in Mumbai. What followed was a night of fireworks, dancing and loud cheering which continued till Sunday evening.

Youngsters took out on rallies on their bikes and cars Sunday evening too proudly waving the tricolour and cheering for India.

“I visited the Bangla Sahib gurudwara to thank the almighty for the win. After all it was divine intervention that Gambhir was given two lifelines by the Lankans. Just imagine if he were caught on 30, how would we have made it?” said Sandeep Singh, a Class 10 student.

For youngsters like Sandeep, celebrating India’s win was almost being part of history as they watched the match with their parents who kept on comparing every single moment with what had happened in 1983 when Kapil Dev won the cup for India for the first time.

“I could feel each and every minute as my father told me how India had won the final match in 1983. This was two generations together watching the scripting of cricket history,” said an overwhelmed Swati Agarwal, college-goer.

She admitted she could not stop the tears as the Men in Blue lifted the World Cup.

Many said the celebrations were so much fun as it was the weekend.

Those who could not join the outdoor night festivities, particularly women and girls, had a full sunny Sunday to make up for it.

“Me and my friends could not go out last night because our parents adviced against it. But today (sunday), we painted our faces with the tricolour, wore the blue team jerseys and visited all the major markets in the city. We totally had a blast,” chuckled Geeta Bhayana, a 17-year-old.

Some like Ashok Bhalla, a resident of Mukherjee Nagar in north Delhi, distributed sweets in their localities to express their happiness.

“Khushi baatne se badhti hain,” (Happiness increases when you share it with others), he said.