Fans to distribute masks on Sourav Ganguly's birthday, do charity

It's a grand affair in rmal times but due to COVID-19 pandemic, ardent fans of BCCI President Sourav Ganguly, who turns 48 on Wednesday, have chosen to celebrate an unusual 'masked' birthday. fans will t be thronging Ganguly's Behala house on Wednesday, keeping in mind current lockdown restrictions and y have come up with idea of distributing masks with Ganguly's photo printed on m.   "This time it was all more special as this is his first birthday as BCCI president but it's unfortunate that we can't go for a cake cutting celebration, so we decided to make masks," Manas Chatterjee who runs Ganguly's fan group, Maharajer Darbare, on Facebook told PTI from Bankura. "We have made 100 masks with Dada's 1996 Lord's debut photo on one side and current photo as BCCI president on or. We will distribute masks among members. "Some members in Kolkata will go to his residence at Behala to gift him masks. We have spoken to security staff at Dada's residence."

Fans to distribute masks on Ganguly's birthday

group has more than 9000 fans from across state and masks have been sent out to members in various districts like Bardhaman, Asansol, Nadia, rth, South 24 Parganas. y will be sporting masks on Wednesday. Since customary cake-cutting ceremony would t be possible this time, fans thought of stitching white coloured masks, with two photos of Ganguly on left and right sides. fan group is also looking for some charity work by raising money from selling masks.

"We have identified 48 Cyclone Amphan affected families from various districts. Our members will go to distribute relief materials. We have chosen 48 families keeping in mind Dada's 48th birthday," Chatterjee said.

Looking at response, group also plans to sell masks with a price tag of Rs 96 -- year Ganguly made his famous Lord's Test debut, where he hit 131.

"We have got some inquiries and are waiting for some more. money raised will be used for charity work," he said.

For fans living near Ganguly's house at Behala, it's going to be a forgettable birthday without any celebrations. "I had spoken to security staff of his residence and y have politely asked us t to gar with cake and this time it will be a low-key affair," said one of his ardent fans Ratan Halder who runs a fan club since Greg Chappell controversy in 2005. Every year, he distributes sweets and cakes for school children but in current situation Halder has chosen to do some relief work.

"I'm planning to distribute relief materials for COVID-19 affected families near our area," he said. 

For ar Ganguly fan, Shantanu Saha, who is also a cricket coach and runs an academy near Behala, all celebrations have been shelved this time.

Im credits: PTI