INDIA DISCOVERS IDEAL PASS-TIME

In a country where youngsters consider SMSing jokes to each other as a happy 'time-pass' and an elderly man meeting another often asks, 'How do you pass your time?' IPL cricket games are a sparkling innovation. Revelling crowds pack the stadia. And they get the works - music, fireworks, imported cheerleaders - to accompany games that have none of the state, country or club relevance that could raise passions. At least a quarter of the crowd comes from slums, eager for 'time-pass' even if they have to forego a day's meals for the family to buy a ticket.

Of course, the happiest of all are those raking in the big moolah - the organizers, the advertisers, the team franchisees and the TV stations which broadcast the Ideal Pass-time League games.

Incredible India? You said it!!!
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