Carrom Association

Bangalore the garden city of India held a Carrom competition recently.
Indian Airlines (IA) won the men’s team title beating Indian Oil Corporation Ltd 3-0.

In the first single match K Ramesh Babu was beaten by former World Cup winner M Nataraj 25-18 25-8.

Then current world champion R M Shankara beat current World Cup winner Yogesh Pardeshi of IOC by 1 point.25-24 25-24.

Another former world champion A Maria Irudayam and his partner E Magimai Raj went on to beat P Simon Isaac and A Kannan 23-25 25-1 25-13.

Life Insurance Corporation of India were third and the hosts Oil and Natural Gas Corporation last.

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It’s over 2 years since this picture was taken. I have friends who have been back to Sri Lanka since the tsunami and they tell me things are getting better, but slowly.

Unfortunately not for everyone who survived that terrible Boxing Day.

Why is it taking so long?

I hope the people in the photo below still enjoy a game of Carrom.

More pictures here

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I was saddened to hear about the murder of Bob Woolmer, the Pakistani cricket coach, in Jamaica.

Although I am not a cricket fan it was still upsetting to think that a man in the prime of life could be so easily killed.
And for what?

Obviously we don’t know all the details but I have read there was no forced entry to his hotel room which suggests that he knew his murderer or murderers.

There have been allegations of match rigging, bribes and corruption in cricket matches for nearly a decade now.

Then today I read that the police are looking for Khwaja Aarif, also known as Pappu or Durrani, a top Pakistani bookie, who is suspected of being involved with Dawood Ibrahim.

The USA have branded Ibrahim a terrorist.

Seemingly he learned about betting by going to carrom clubs in the 1970’s. Unbelievable!

Please someone tell me this isn’t so.

I have always thought carrom, and cricket for that matter, to be games played by gentle men.

Bob Woolmer, who was born in India, had been writing a book and had gone to India to meet New Delhi police commissioner, K K Paul.

Paul has investigated match rigging and had interviewed several bookies and cricketers in the past.

Now there will be a murder investigation.

I hope they catch the people responsible for this henious crime, soon.

My heartfelt condonences go to Bob’s wife, sons, family and friends.

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Footloose and fancy free

Although there is a Jamacian flag showing Bob Marley this photo was taken in Sri Lanka.

Pat and Ali are a young couple sailing around the world.

One of their ports of call was Sri Lanka, where they learned to play carom.

They must have enjoyed the game because they even went to a carrom board factory to see how the boards are made and bought a carrom board there to take with them on their travels.

I hope they have a safe and enjoyable trip.

But they must be careful they don’t drop any pieces, in case they roll overboard.

Then they’d be sunk.

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Carrom is a board game that will bring to life any dull evening when you’re too tired to go out, there’s nothing on the telly and your PC is playing up.

What are the alternatives?

1 You could read a book. (But you’re not in the right mood)

2 You could tidy up. (Again!!)

3 You could have an early night. (You’re not tired enough.)

4 You could sort out all the bits of paper, receipts and bills that have been multiplying in the kitchen drawer.(Too depressing)

5 You could start an arguement with your partner or flatmate, just to relieve the boredom. (Not recommended)

6 You could bake a cake. (Remember, a moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips.)

7 You could make a few phone calls. (Who would you call? Bored/boardbusters?)

8 Play a game of monopoly. (It takes too long and can lead to too many disagreements. Isn’t it always the same where money is concerned?)

9 You could play a game of chess. (Too complicated. It requires you to think too much.)

10 You could put on some music, dust down your carrom board and have a few games.(Recommended)
I guarantee you’ll feel better.

I’ve yet to play a game of carrom that hasn’t lifted the gloom that settles around us, sometimes for no good reason.

We always end up laughing. I’m not very good at the game, but I don’t mind my opposition making jokes at my expense.

If you don’t feel better afterwards you really are bored with life. Don’t worry about it too much.

Tomorow is another day.

Things can only get better.

When did you last hear that song? Oh yes I remember, it was Labour’s anthem.

Things may have gotten better for some members of the Labour Party but…..

I don’t need to remind you, surely.

Oh my goodness, I’ve really depressed myself thinking about it all.

The wars, taxes, scandals, lies, fines, ID cards, MRSA, Big Brother, both the TV programme and the State.

I’m off to have a few games of Carrom before I get too miserable.

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I found these 2 photos of this beautiful double sided antique carrom boards.

I don’t remember where I found them so if they belong to any of my readers get in touch and I’ll post a link.

They are lovely, but I have no idea how old they are or where they were made.

Or how much it is worth. But my guess is it won’t be cheap.

Imagine the excitement when it was first bought.

I wonder who played the first games on it?

Did it belong to someone famous?

Who made it? I wonder how much the craftsmen were paid.

How much did it sell for, and where, and when?

I would love to be sitting in a beautiful garden, on a warm, still night, the perfume of flowers all around. and play a few games of carrom on this board.

It could be almost anywhere in the world, it wouldn’t matter.

Dream on.

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If you live in North Carolina and are at a loose end on Saturday, March 24, go along to the Crown Arena between midday and 8 o’clock.

The Southeastern North Carolina Asian Indian Association Festival Committee who have been working towards this day continuously for the last four months, are holding a celebration of all things Indian.

The festival will feature authentic Indian foods, tropical drinks, traditional dancing, live music and all sorts of entertainment.

You can have a henna tattoo, which will slowly fade away, admire Indian paintings and drool over the jewellery.

Leave your little darlings in the designated kids’ corner where they can play carrom, listen to folk tales, have healthy delicious snacks and play to their hearts content.

This is the third year the festival has been held and it is going from strength to strength.

It will cost you a dollar to get in and kids under 3 are free. What a bargain.

You will also be supporting a good cause.

In 2005, the group donated about $9,000 to a charity for deployed soldiers

In 2006 the local police and fire departments and a children’s charity received charitable donations.

The local Indian community has been quietly raising money for local charities for over twelve years and deserve to be commended for their compassion and goodwill.

Read the whole article here or call the Crown Center at 438-4100 for more
information.

Make it a date. You won’t regret it.

The only thing I would change: Please allow the grown-ups to play Carrom too. Why should the kids have all the fun?

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This link and the photo below will lead you to a blog written by two people off on a year long world tour.

Lucky things.

I hope they learned how to play carrom and will continue to do so when back home.

Their planned trip looks really exciting and interesting.

I wish them well.

Unfortunately I couldn’t find a link to send them an email, so if they read this later good luck in your truly excellent adventure.

The photo was taken in Nepal.

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This week I have heard from friends in London.
They run the Carromcafe in Spitalfields market on a Sunday.

They tell me that every Sunday there are between 50-60 players, some who visit regularly.

It’s free to play.

There are six tables set up and they are busy all day.

Visitors to the city are pleasantly surprised and new friends are made.

Good news.

You can also buy delicious milkshakes & lassis.

They use only organic fruits, milk and yoghurts, and when in season, English strawberries and Alphonso mangoes, surely the tastiest in the world.

The thalis make a welcome change from roast beef, yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes and gravy.

Much healthier too.

So when you’re feeling bored, listless or at a loose end, drop by. You won’t regret it.

If you are on holiday the whole area is very interesting and the carromcafe will let you rest for a bit while you catch your breath before you go off to see the next church, park, museum or whatever. London is so exciting, beautiful but tiring.

If you feel inspired enough to want to start your own club somewhere, talk to the people on the stall.

They’re very helpful and as keen to promote carrom as I am.

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In the past I have been asked what a Carrom White Slam is.

Watch the video which explains it.

It shows Sanjay Murthy beating Madhusudana Rao in 2006 at the singles finals of the TV Asia Carrom Cup.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, how much more a video worth? Enjoy it.

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