Carrom Association

A few days ago I appealed for information about this lady.

Her name is S. Apporwa and she is from Hyderabad. That’s all the info I have but I will update this post when I find out anything else.
Once more thanks to Harpreet who supplied the name and place.
What would I do without him?

In the previous post I got my dates mixed up. The competition I told you about actually took place in 2002.
Many thanks to Harpreet for pointining it out to me and for providing the following information.

Seniors - no age limit from zero day till death
Juniors - under 18
Youth - Under 21
Sub Juniors - under 14
Cadets - under 12
Veterans - i.e above 45 of age.
Have a look at his web page.
He does a lot of hard work promoting Carrom and should be congratulated for taking the time to help a beginner.
Thanks again, Harpreet.

The second Punjab state carrom championship which was held last month have the usual mens’ competition, and one for women.
However they also had sections for junior boys and junior girls, and sub junior boys and sub junior girls.
I noted also they had a team of veteran men but no veteran women.
How old was the youngest player? How old was the oldest player?
Don’t they have veteran women in Punjab, or are they too polite and insist even the oldest crone is known simply as a woman?
If so, that is where I’ll retire to, soon. I don’t feel like an old woman yet, but my mother looks back at me every morning from my mirror. I am nowhere to be seen.

I don’t have any photos of current Carrom champions so here is a photo of a previous winner.
I don’t know who she is or where and when the event took place.
I am going to start a gallery of champions so any information on this lady greatly appreciated.

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

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?

Carromata

According to Webster Dictionary a carromata is a light, two-wheeled, boxlike vehicle usually drawn by a single native pony and used to convey passengers within city limits or for traveling. It is common public carriage in the Philippines.
I have searched for photos to show an example but all I found was the following.

It’s a bit old, but it’s such a nice picture.
Have a look at the whole postcard collection.
They are quite beautiful.
I know this is nothing to do with Carrom, the game, but my excuses are they play Carrom in the Philippines and I think it is interesting.
I wonder which word came first? What do you think?

U. A. E. CARROM ASSOCIATION