Twenty Six-Episode One

Kolkata-The City of Joy, the city of hope to millions of People who reside it and one amongst those millions is the Banerjee Parivaar. Head of the Family Amit Banerjee in his late fifties employed in the Police Department, Mother Savitri Banerjee- housewife, younger daughter Tanuja, lovingly called Chutki and the hero of our story Udayan Banerjee also called Baapi(Daak Naam) at home by his parents and close friends. A very closely knit happy family, father very busy with his own job. Incidentally this was the last year in service for Amit Babu as Inspector of Police, Howrah-Police Station. 

It was mother Savitri who was crazy about Cricket from her child hood and it was these very traits that was passed on to her son Udayan. Savitri always wanted the very best for her son and dreamt that one day he would don the India colours. In fact this was the loving angst that Chutki had against her mother " Maa you are always dreaming about Baapi Da's future not once worried about mine." Amit Babu had always wanted a daughter after the first one turned out to be a son. Chutki was fathers pet as was Baapi mothers. Baapi and Chutki despite all the sibling rivalry had deep affection for each other. Never to admit once Chutki silently wished and prayed fervently to Maa Durga to bless her Baapi Da to play for India.

Typical Middle Class bearings, the Banerjee Parivaar had their humble ancestral dwelling in Howrah. Typical Discolored buildings, small and narrow streets was where Udayan had spent his entire childhood. It was here in the streets of Kolkata that he had first picked up his love for the game. Breaking Glasses would be a matter of routine for Udayan. The Clink sound of glass breaking was music to the ears of Savitri. She was now used to the daily squabbles and taunts of the neighbors who were much vexed for the damage that Udayan did with his Cricket Bat. Mother dear ignored all the complaints out of motherly love for her Little Krishna. Much by coincidence the ancestral home where they lived in was called Krishnalaya. Though the lane, PC Mukherjee Lane where Krishnalaya found its humble moorings, the house had an unobstructed view of the Holy Ganges and the massive Howrah Bridge.

Seeing Udayans love for the game, Samit Mitra the friendly neighbor approached the Banerjees with an idea. He had heard about the CCI Cricket Academy run by one Mr. Avijit Sarkar. Mitra Babu explained to Amit Babu, "Dekhoon Amit Babu, Udayan has great talent in him, Why dont you send him for some professional coaching? I have heard a lot of good things about the CCI Cricket Academy in Vivekananda Park. Why not put our Udayan there through the paces" Being the hardcore Policeman, Amit Babu knew only one language whether it was a friend or criminal, a hard hitting straight forward one, never known once to mince words. Amit Babu retorted "Acha Bolun Tho Mitra Babu, what will happen to his future if he plays all this Cricket, Shicket, Kichu Hobe Naa, Better he  goes to college and gets himself a sound degree and then a government job" Mitra Babu had nothing more to add but to silently move away after having his early morning Chaa(Tea) with the Banerjees. Udayan admired his father but had that constant fear of him. This Fear was so intense that not once could he raise his voice in his fathers presence. All that he wanted to get done was routed through his mother.

That evening, Amit Babu returned home quite late from work. He seemed quite tense, could have been work related. Amit Babu never let work related pressures to show up at home. This day was a little bit overboard and his face did threw up anxiety of some sort. As he stepped in there was power cut. In that part of the country, people are used to unscheduled power-cuts and this was nothing different for the Banerjee Parivaar. Savitri waited for her husband, a paankha in hand(Hand held Fan) to keep the oppressive heat away while Amit Babu finished his meal of Rice and Maacher Jol(Fish Gravy). Luckily good old Oil Lit Lantern was there for light. Savitri thought that this is the best opportunity for her to talk about Udayan. "Baapir Baba Ektu Shoonben, Will you listen to me? Lets try that academy that Mitra Babu suggested, once for Udayan, who knows something may work out for our dear Baapi." Amit Babu had enough at work and did not want to disappoint his family"Keu Ammar Shonay naa, Jaa Ichay koro, No one listens to me? Do as you wish....Hope that he has a Cricket kit, else tell him that I will buy one for him." Udayan was all ears to this conversation silently from behind the Dining room hall. Both mother and son exchanged a loving smile in the corridor as they passed each other. The next day would be a huge one for Udayan as it would be his first day on a Cricket Ground.

Udayan had a restless sleep that night imagining himself in white clothing, a floppy hat with bat in hand. He woke up quickly and as his wont went to his terrace from where he could see the mighty Hoogly in Sway. A Baotman in the distance was away, rowing against the tide as a small radio in Bappis hand played out his favorite song, Jodi Tor Daak Shunay keu naa aashey Thobay Eklaa cholo re. Amazing song to listen to early in the morning with the Ganges in the background. This day was different, it was a happy day for Udayan. Exactly Opposite to Krishnalaya, Udayans house across the Ganges on the other side was an old dilapidated three storeyed building. A man in his early thirties wearing a Black Tee with Blue Jeans and coolers to provide shade to his eyes, bag in hand , made his way to top of the building. Quickly he made himself comfortable on the roof top. He then turned his attention towards his bag. There was a  M40A5 Rifle.The M40A5 is the latest in a long line of M40 sniper rifles used by the U.S. Marine Corps. He trained his rifle across the Ganges, taking aim through the long distance Telescopic lens of the rifle. In the lens appeared Udayan on the rooftop of Krishnalaya. Was Udayan the gunmans target? Will he pull the trigger? Why was Udayan his target? To know read on in the next episode of 26.