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Cricket festival marks Indian independence

Pradeep Vijayadas


The 60th anniversary of Indian independence was marked by a family Day of Cricket jointly organized by Indian Association Zurich and cricket clubs in the region on Saturday August 25 at Sportanlage Fronwald, Zurich Affoltern. Switzerland played a special role in the country's leap to independence by signing the Indo-Swiss Friendship Treaty in 1948. The Day of Cricket was held to commemorate the special ties between the two countries with the Zurich Indian community inviting local Swiss to try their hand at batting and bowling. The sporting occasion also helped to strengthen cultural links in the neighbourhood.

The perfect sunny conditions and lush pitch added to the fun for those making their cricket debuts. The locals found it a wonderful, if curious, experience to play cricket for the first time. Tandoori grill and vegetarian delicacies added spicy flavour to the event. D.N.Mathur, N.Gandhi, R.Rajaratnam, S.Mittal, S.Srihari, V.Pradeep and IAZ president A.Amritham along with numerous enthusiasts were instrumental in organizing the event. On behalf of Switzerland Cricket Association, B. Basnayake greatly contributed as an umpire and supporter throughout the event. Tata Consultancy Services and American association members, contributed actively. The event gave an impression of a warm-up for the numerous cultural exchange programmes, which are going to take place in 2008, between the two nations.