Carrom Association

Magnificent Mumbai

There was a Carrom competition a few weeks ago at Shivaji Park Gymkhana Hall, Mumbai 28.
I would appreciate any information regarding the winners. Some photos would be welcome, too.
Can any one help, please?
Were any of my readers there?
Where is Shivaji Park Gymkhana Hall?
Near the sea? I’d love to know.
It’s been 25 years since I was last in Mumbai.
Then it was known as Bombay, but I prefer Mumbai
Friends tell me it has changed not only in name.
I hope it is all for the best.
However the last time I was on a train in India, I was shocked and disappointed that the Chai wallah was selling tea in plastic cups, and not the little clay pots, which were lovely to look at, gave the tea a certain not unpleasant taste and would quickly turn back to clay when thrown out the window.
Apart from which I have a lot of admiration for the potters in India who with a round wooden wheel and a stick to turn it to optimum speed, turn out the pots by the score and make it look so simple.
I also was served a teabag, at Delhi airport last time iI was there. UGH.
Teabags and plastic I can get anywhere in the UK and now unfortunately most of Europe, If I want that kind of stuff. I don’t.
I try to eat out at small family businesses or wait until I get home.
I don’t like going to fast food places where I have to stand in a queue, pay over the odds for air and ice.
Eating with my hands doesn’t bother me. The noise doesn’t bother me.
However I am expected to clean up my table when I am finished. It reminds me of school dinners.
They are not “restaurants.” They are fast food factories.
I’ve heard there are several chains of fast food factories in Mumbai now. Surely they can’t be busy?
I remember the food on roadside stalls, the train station, the beach. I tried them all. I was never seriously ill, and the couple of times I was sick was because I ate too much. It was so delicious that I would have seconds, and thirds.
I’d rather have a lassi than a fizzy drink. An aloo chat instead of a burger. Apart from the taste. Just look at what is happening in the good old USA and UK too.
Overweight kids, fat kids, obese kids. Children with heart and hip problems while they are still in primry school.
So remember, Mum’s the word, and say Bai/Bye to burgerland. Don’t buy burgers

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There were nearly 75 players from 6 states i.e Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana, Delhi, Uttaranchal & Jammu &Kashmir.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t be there in person. However, I can imagine the atmosphere.
At times, tense, silent, except for the clack of the pieces carroming off the frame of the boards.
Other times, noisy, everyone talking, laughing, arguing.
I wonder if they served food or beverages?
What were the prizes?
Who pays for this?
Do they have sponsors?
Although the Punjabis take playing and winning seriously, I can’t imagine it to be a very solemn affair. They’re too full of life.
There will be photos and all the results on the Punjab State Carrom Association web site for you to check out. Have a look through the site. Some good stuff.

In the meantime here is a picture of the Golden Temple. Isn’t it beautiful?

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