Why do we support Brazil or Argentina?

Mrinal Chatterjee

Window Seat 

In the World Cup Football tournament, as far as I remember (and I am 65 now) Indians primarily support either Brazil or Argentina- both from South America. In the 2026 World Cup Final, most of the Indians were rooting for Argentina. I often wonder, why?

India has never played in a World Cup Football tournament. Only once have we qualified- in 1950, when our National Team used to play barefoot. We chose not to play the tournament, for several reasons including high expenses to travel to Brazil. Since then, we have never qualified. But we are great football fans, we love to watch ‘the beautiful game’. So we adopted football powerhouses.

And we adopted teams who are closer to us, who look like us, who are temperamentally and financially like us, and who produce world class heroes- like Pele, Maradona, Messi. We co-opt them as our heroes and adore them like demi-Gods.

We also look for other similarities.  South American teams are deeply relatable because they are viewed as "Global South" nations, much like India.

In geopolitics, India strongly supports both nations for entirely different strategic reasons. Consider Brazil. As a fellow emerging economic giant and G20 member, Brazil is a crucial partner for India in trade, agricultural collaboration, and biofuels. Both countries actively push for reforms in global institutions to better represent the Global South.

Argentina, on the other hand, is a vital supplier of edible oils (like soybean and sunflower) and an important market for Indian manufacturing. India maintains a formal strategic partnership with Argentina to enhance long-term energy and food security.

Three-fourth of the Indians, who watched Spain-Argentina final match, were supporting the South American team, led by Messi. All of them wanted Messi to score and lift the cup. As Argentina lost, Messi wept, so did millions of his Indian fans.

Rain Water Harvesting

Academician and climate activist Subhajit Mukherjee is trying to impress upon the people and policy makers to make Borewell Recharge and Water Metering a national priority

India is facing an alarming groundwater crisis. Every borewell extracts precious groundwater, yet very few are recharged. Mukherjee through his innovative ‘Catch the Rain Campaign’ is requesting the Government make Borewell Recharge Systems and Water Extraction Meters compulsory for every borewell across the country. Measuring water extraction and ensuring groundwater recharge will help prevent over-exploitation, restore aquifers, and secure water for future generations. Without immediate action, villages, towns, and cities may face severe water shortages, threatening food security and livelihoods.

Every drop counts. Let us act today to prevent water bankruptcy and build a water-secure India. Harvest rainwater. The time is now.

Rath Yatra

The Rath Yatra, or Chariot Festival, is one of India's most celebrated religious and cultural festivals. Although the Rath Yatra of Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha, is its best-known form, the festival is observed with great devotion in many parts of the country. During the festival, beautifully decorated wooden chariots carry the deities through public streets, symbolising the Lord's journey among the people and making the divine accessible to everyone, regardless of caste, creed, or social status.

Outside Odisha, the historic Jagannath Rath Yatra in Mahesh, West Bengal, dating back to the 14th century, is among the oldest in India. Ahmedabad in Gujarat hosts another grand Rath Yatra that attracts hundreds of thousands of devotees every year. Similar celebrations are held in Assam, Tripura, Manipur, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and many other states.

Tailpiece: The Ultimate Fan

A man sits down at the 2026 World Cup final and notices an empty seat next to him. "Who would ever miss the final?" he asks.

The guy next to him replies, "Well, that was my wife's seat. We went to the last five finals together, but sadly she passed away."

The man says, "Oh, I'm so sorry. But couldn't you get a close family member to come with you?"

The guy shakes his head and says, "No, they're all at her funeral.

(Courtesy: Social Media)