GUWAHATI: With the FIFA World Cup about to kick off on Thursday, the nation is in the grip of a football frenzy and the fine line between fandom and fanaticism is wearing thin. Among those straddling the line is Putul Borah , a 57-year-old businessman from Diphu town in Assam , who has built an auditorium with a bank loan of Rs 13 lakh to screen matches for football enthusiasts.Borah, who is a diehard fan of Germany , has named the auditorium 'The German Stadium'. It will be formally inaugurated by Gilbertson Sangma - one of the most respected Assamese footballers of yesteryear - on Thursday, ahead of the first World Cup match between hosts Russia and Saudi Arabia. The auditorium on the ground floor can accommodate at least 100 people - 200 more can squeeze in inside the courtyard of his house - all of whom can sit together and watch the matches that will be beamed live on a 53-inch screen, with tea and snacks also to be served to the visitors.Putul Borah, a 57-year-old businessman from Diphu town in Assam"The construction of the auditorium began almost two years ago. Preparations were stepped up since June last year. This has taken a long time but now I am ready for the show," an excited Borah told TOI on Wednesday.A loan of Rs 13 lakh was a daunting prospect in the beginning but financial constraints ultimately proved secondary to Borah's love for the game. "I have been organizing screenings of football matches at my home since 1990. I have always invited people to my home to watch the matches together and offered refreshments to my guests Thankfully, the State Bank of India sanctioned the loan in my wife's name," Borah added.Borah, who has decorated his house with German flags, remembers with fondness the brilliant displays by Michael Ballack and Oliver Kahn - two German players he has always idolised. Though there was heartbreak for the duo in the 2002 World Cup, Mario Gotze's extra-time winner against Argentina four years earlier had left Borah elated. Borah feels the defending champions again have a strong enough team this year and can repeat their moment of glory if they play well as a unit.During the matches, a replica of the World Cup and a bottle of a Passport Scotch whiskey - which he had preserved for more than 20 years waiting for Germany to win the World Cup - are put up on display inside a glass box. "I dug out the bottle in 2014 after the Germany won but I have kept it unopened. I am planning to gift it to a few German players if they lift the trophy again this year," he said.A true football fan, Borah feels that extremes of emotions and divisive hatred that the game often engenders does not affect him. As a testimony to that, flags of all the other 31 nations have found a place in his home though German fans, quite understandably, outnumber them. Admitting that he always welcomes fans of all countries with open arms, Borah added, "Supporters of Argentina, Brazil, Spain and other teams always come to my home to watch the matches together. We celebrate each other's success and love the game for the unity it brings among the people. Let's use football to spread the message of peace and harmony."

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