French football team celebrates at the end of the semi-final match against Belgium. (AFP)

PUDUCHERRY/KANNUR: France’s dream to establish its empire in India began and ended with Puducherry way back in the 18th century, but the connections are still intact.

While there’s still a sizeable French population in Puducherry, its beach road, lanes and bylanes and the little restaurants resemble a lazy French town. All those will be throbbing with excitement as France take on Croatia in the World Cup final on Sunday.

French consul general to Puducherry, Catherine Suard, after completing her National Day speech with an ‘Allez Les Bleus’ (Come on France) on Saturday, sounded all charged up. She promised that the consulate will open its green manicured lawns for football lovers on Sunday and there will be a giant screen, food and drinks. “Should we win, there will be champagne in the end,” she announced.

It’s not just the consulate that will be cheering the Les Bleus. While the mood is already celebratory, the French citizens living here are gearing up for a party by the sea. “I never expected France to reach the final. But now that they have, we can’t wait to see them win,” said a French citizen of Puducherry, Prosper Emmanuel.

Apart from the French consulate and Le Café, a cafeteria managed by the department of tourism, a host of popular French restaurants and cultural hot spots, including Aurodhan art gallery will stream the final live on giant screens. “There was great response when we screened the France-Belgium semifinal. So we have decided to screen the final and we hope France emerge victorious,” said Alliance Francaise president and gallery director Lalit Verma.

The French connection with Puducherry dates back to the 17th and 18th centuries when they were marginalised to five ports on the east coast after losing the Carnatic wars against the British. But the French East India Company retained its control over the five ports till 1954 and Mahe, like Puducherry, was one of those. Mahe, a part of Puducherry now, has retained the strong French connection.

“In sports, the best team should win, but we are supporting France and we would be happy if they beat Croatia,” said Adiyeri Kanakarajan, Mahe French Association president.

Even when the French National Day was celebrated in Mahe on Saturday, the spirit of the much-awaited final hung in the air. “Unlike the British, who were made to leave India, we did not kick out the French and it was more of a gentle handshake, so we still have the love for France and the place still approves of French culture and maintains it,” said Palliyan Pramod, a footballer and a councillor of the now defunct Mahe municipal council. “There are festoons all over and we are ready to celebrate through the night,” said Mahe regional administrator S Manicka Deepan, setting the stage up for a party on Sunday.

