By Shoubhik Mukhopadhyay
I-League Media team

NEW DELHI: Mohun Bagan is an integral clout which revitalised the Freedom Movement of India, Mohun Bagan is a deceptive force who compelled the British Empire to shift the National capital to Delhi, Mohun Bagan is an entity who still soak in millions of fans’ cheering as well as booing, Mohun Bagan is an inseparable element of many a Mariner’s biological system.

3 years back a tiny number of blokes, a few thousand kilometers away from the club tent, were unwinding themselves in a Bangalore Pub on a weekend evening, eventually Mariners@Bangalore saw the daylight. It has been a topsy-turvy run for the enthusiasts who showed their mettle and grit to keep the Mariners’ flag flying high despite the Mariners’ trophy cabinet haven’t seen any National piece added in 7 years. Despite the Gunners failed to capitalise on their electrifying football, the fans vowed to come in numbers to Emirates, eventually the title drought came to an end while Arsene Wenger & co. plundered their record 11th FA Cup.

The aficionados are leaving no stone unturned to commemorate the historic moment while Sanjoy Sen, the bagpiper, along with his commandos would lift the coveted Hero I-League trophy. The resurrection of the club, which commenced its quest 10 years before the European powerhouse AC Milan, is nothing but akin to the resurgence of the Gunners, an anecdote of the Phoenix indeed.

The fan club, which grew bigger and stronger since their inception, has stepped into their 4th year and they are not going to pull out the plug any sooner having not witnessed the moment, for which they are craving since 2002 while Mohun Bagan triumphed the National Football League for the last time. Indian Cricket Team has played two World Cup finals since then while they have clinched once, ISRO has launched their successful mission to Mars and Manmohan Singh had to move from 7 Race Course Road after spending a long spell of 10 years- but the Mariners’ fortune did not find a lightning on the horizon. Have they found an Aladdin in Sanjoy Sen who possesses a lamp up his sleeves? The mariners’ run in this season has been nothing less than a fairy tale.

We, Indians, boast of our football knowledge and leave no stone unturned to emulate the English Football panache. If the Kolkata derby could match up the North London derby cadence, the warfare between Bengaluru FC & Mohun Bagan would give birth to another blood and iron. The scars are not going to be healed anytime soon for the outfit who will leave the ground empty handed, so as the fans.

The battlefield is set for the gladiators, spectators draw the line amongst themselves. Mariners@Bangalore already alienated themselves from the Blues, no need to be pally with the foes, no need to shake the hand with the rivals, it’s going to be only bloodshed on 31st, the judgement day. “Mariners@Bangalore have worked with the host team management, and ensured a dedicated a stand for the supporters”, Subhajyoti, the lifeline of Mariners@Bangalore, expresses out.

Sanjoy Sen & co. are poised to receive a red-carpet treatment from these fellas who have planned meticulously even for the after-match party. Right from giant cut out to a grand dinner party with the team (once they are permitted), everything is planned and chalked down.

“Mariners@Bangalore members to sport Champions T-Shirt & Post match celebration with  green and maroon Abir/Gulal”, Subhajyoti could not get hold of his ecstasy while peeling off their plans for D-Day. Albeit execution is left and there is a significant gap between the morsel and the lips, these guys are going gaga over Sony Nordes and Pritam Kotals. Why won’t they? These swaggers provided the oxygen to these bunch of football maniacs who are captivated in a city which doesn’t stop to heed to a passerby, which starts working after the zero hour and which prefers to play on mind rather to hit the ground.

Subhajyoti adds more,”Going to the Bangalore Kalibari is part of our regular rituals that we do before any vital match. For this time too, there is not going to be an exception.” Are the young Turks being religious ahead of the encounter or offering a wreath to goddess Kali is an integral part of Bengali Culture? Goddess Kali symbolises the demeanour to demolish the demon, she epitomises the enigma to tame down the austere. Bangalore Kalibari is set to host an early diwali on 31st May anyways; it’s set to unveil only after those grueling ninety minutes whether these fantasists host it or once again it eludes their grasp.