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What's the story?
Football strikes again for the good. And this time it is in India where a Mohun Bagan supporters club named "Swapner Mohan Tori" (translated to 'Mohun Boat of Dreams') are organising an event to help little kids of Jhargram district in West Bengal on the day of the first Kolkata derby of the season against East Bengal.
Whilst football will be high on the conscience of the Bagan fans ahead of the Kolkata derby scheduled on the 24th of September, these Bagan faithful - after capturing the imagination with the raucous support from the stands, are set to do so this time with their philanthropic outlook, according to a report from Ebela.
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In case you didn't know...
The season's first Kolkata Derby between eternal rivals Mohun Bagan and East Bengal is scheduled to take place on 24th September at the Kanchenjunga Stadium in Siliguri as part of their only clash in the Calcutta Football League.
The kick off for the game is set at 5 pm.
The heart of the matter
The event scheduled to take place at Gopiballabpur Ashkola Primary School situated in the district of Jhargram will see the members of Swapner Mohan Tori distribute school dresses to 113 students from Class 1 to 5. They will also be handed over stationeries such as pens, pencils, pencil boxes, and bags along with food items and chocolates.
This will be followed by a picnic and lunch - the expense of which will also be borne by the Mariners fan group. In fact, two more fan groups viz. Gopiballabur Mariners and Jibanjuddhe Mohun Bagan have also stepped forward to help in this matter.
Parallels from history
Various supporter clubs of both Mohun Bagan and East Bengal have time and again come forward to work for various social causes. And even while the rivalry remains as fierce as ever, the supporters of the clubs have even worked together to provide the society with acts of kindness.
The Bagan fans had done themselves proud earlier as well when they upheld various religious symbols in the stands, signifying the unity that the club brings towards the community during a CFL game.
The two clubs have, in fact, come together every year on the 16th of August to host various social events such as blood donation camps in memory of 16 fans who had lost their lives in a violent clash during the derby in 1980.
Author's take
Jhargram, a major part of the Jangalmahal in the state of West Bengal has for decades been one of the most financially backward regions. It has thus seen many uprising against state authority and enjoys a large influence from Naxalites.
While Mohun Bagan and football burn bright in the veins of these fans, it is certainly a welcome sight to see them engage in such humanitarian acts. We hope, that such acts will pave the way for future endeavours of such kind from football across India and the world.
