People called it the Universal Dasain. Every 15th August, Kalimpong came together for football, march-pasts, school competitions and memories that turned Mela Ground into the heart of the town.
Down in town, a taxi driver and a tourist were discussing waiting charges with increasing conviction. Neither appeared willing to compromise. A few minutes later, the rain arrived and the discussion was postponed by mutual agreement.
There was a time when the World Cup didn’t arrive live. It climbed the hills slowly—through rain, newspapers, cinema halls and eventually cable television. This is the story of how Kalimpong fell in love with football.