All play, and no work...

That is the mood in the city as cricket buffs are looking at ways to give office a miss, yet others who do have to make it to work will be catching the action on big screens

All play, and no work...

That is the mood in the city as cricket buffs are looking at ways to give office a miss, yet others who do have to make it to work will be catching the action on big screens

As Wednesday comes closer, plans are afoot across offices in the city to catch the much-awaited Indo-Pak World Cup semifinal clash by hook or by crook. While some employees are lucky to be let off by their organisations early to watch the match, others are planning to coming up with innovative excuses to escape work.

Bleeding Blue: Pubs and lounges are expected to play host to cricket
crazy fans who will cheer the Men in Blue as they take on Pakistan in the
World Cup semifinal tomorrow. Representation Pic

Professionals speak
This is one match that doctors can enjoy without interruption. Inspite of their work profile, which demands them to attend to a patient at any hour of the day, doctors say that tomorrow will be different because their patients have postponed their appointments. Dr Sunita Tandulwadkar, infertility expert at Ruby Hall Clinic, said that many of her patients have requested her to delay their procedures or appointments because their husbands will be 'busy' tomorrow. Orthopaedic surgeon Dr Rajesh Parasnis, too, has received similar calls, although he admits that it is shocking that people were prioritising a match over health. "A patient from Ratnagiri was supposed to undergo a spinal tumor surgery which he has now put off by a day.

Not just surgeries, but the OPD appointments have had cancellations. In a way it is good because the nursing and other staff was requesting us to wrap up the day early," he said. While hospitals across the city might see a light day, many offices might also not function to their full capacity. Shailaja Sharma, branch director of Perfect Relations firm said, "We will be giving a half day to all our employees across our 16 tomorrow just for the match."u00a0u00a0At Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), a large number of employees have planned to wrap up their work early and watch the match together in groups, confirmed Deepak Kulkarni, leader, Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, PMC Union

The working folk
While these people are lucky to leave early from work, others are not so fortunate. Nonetheless, their enthusiasm is not ebb. They are making alternate arrangements to catch the match. A spokesperson for BPO ADP, Pune, said that a big screen had been placed in the cafeteria for the employees to enjoy the match. Besides this, quizzes and games themed around the World Cup have been organised at the office.

At colleges, which will have a normal working day, staffers are hopeful that they can watch the match either on the TV sets in the staff rooms or keep themselves updated of the scores via SMS and radio.

Shivaji Nagar's Modern College vice-principal Jagdish Chinchole, "We have exams in the morning and by 3pm, there wouldn't be a major workload. If people finish their work early, we can give them permission to watch the match," he said.

Not to be outdone
Multiplexes, nightclubs and small hotels too are doing their best to 'make moolah while India shines' at the
World Cup. For tomorrow's match special screening arrangements have been made at multiplexes, as there is no big film that has released in the last few weeks. Neerav Panchamia, VP, Operations, E-Square, who will screen the match at a single screen said, "We decided on Sunday to screen the live match. So far we have got a few bookings and are expecting a house-full soon."

Even hotels and nights clubs are wooing the customers with innovative ideas. Extra screens, DJ's have been booked to uplift the spirits. "There will DJ playing music during breaks, an extra screen for the guests so that they have a good time," said Nasir Shaikh, director, Food and Beverages, Westin Hotel.

Mohali beckonsu00a0
Noted singer and music composer Dr Salil Kulkarni has finally got the ticket for the World Cup semifinal match. He was trying for a ticket for the past three days, but finally got confirmation last evening. "I am keen to watch Sachin Tendulkar perform. I'm sure he will make his 100th century and make India proud," he said.