IPL drowns out election fever and war noise
By K.R. Nayar Mumbai. Election fever is at its peak in India, with four states and one union territory going to the polls this month. While there is constant breaking news on television channels across India about the West Asia war, undeterred by all this, from 7:30 pm, almost everyone is glued to the action in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Stadiums are also packed with cheering fans. On Thursday, April 2, all that mattered was whether Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) would beat Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Kolkata, which unfortunately they did not. The home team lost by 65 runs. Election promises in India gets listeners only till the toss. Once the first ball is bowled, election manifestos are strategically timed out. Breaking news updates on the war that may pop up on mobile phones are not even glanced at. They are treated like unwanted fielders at fine leg, completely ignored. In the crowded Mumbai trains, passengers, despite being crushed and unabl...