He loved a game of contract bridge

Here is the twenty seventh unforgettable character in my life …

In those days, there were young men who married by giving information that was not true – it was sad because, after the marriage, it broke many homes. I have seen it happen. Anyway, the person I will now write about did no such thing – he handled the electrical aspects of the fighter aircraft and he got married to a girl who had a wonderful voice. She could render Rabindasangeet like any well-known singer.

He was also a footballer and an acknowledged player of bridge – he and his partner had participated in many national bridge tournaments and rubbed shoulders with the likes of bridge maestro Jimmy Mehta.
The wife was a calm lady, busy in her household activities and came on stage whenever requested to do so to sing Rabindra sangeet – either solo or in a group. In order to assist his wife, my friend learnt how to play the tabla and would accompany his wife on stage. None of them believed in creating problems.
As per traditions of those who live in a place for a very long time, he purchased a plot of land with the intention of building his own house and living there after retirement. The fact that his younger brother also stayed in the city and had a small business of his own added to his desire of staying on here. But, events willed otherwise.
His small family was complete with the only child, a son – he had little or no interest in either games or music. He was a studious boy and moved from one class to the next with honors. He finally became a Doctor and is currently in Pune. There is no certainty of his returning to Nashik. Therefore, my friend has sold off the land and shifted over to Pune to be with his son.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

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We played contract bridge together

Here is the fourth unforgettable character in my life …

He was my partner in contract bridge and we played contract bridge together. We had developed our very own bidding system that we tabled in one of the National championships held in Nashik in 1981. We were no match for veterans who had come from Mumbai, Pune, Sholapur and distant locations but it was an experience that we cherish even today.

My bridge partner and I had an understanding – that is important in these games. One must have the minimum number of accumulated points based on the cards he held and depending on the vulnerability he had to take decisions that could tilt the balance in his favor. Bidding was one part of the game; the actual play was the other. Sometimes I would be over enthusiastic and bid for a game that could never be made – my partner would blow his top if the game was played in the confines of my or of his drawing room.
But, in public when we played in our Officers’ Association or in other forums, he would stare at me as if he could burn me to ashes. Since I was weak at hand play, I would invariably try to settle for game in the suit he bid – but, when I had to open the bidding and when the game came to my hand, I dreaded the consequences. In spite of these drawbacks, we did manage to bag a few awards.
Today he is a retired person like me. He has two sons – both settled abroad. My friend and I stay in different parts of the city and meet only when there is an invitation to marriage. The clubs like Mitra Vihar, where we once played, have acquired a modern look; the Meher hotel has been demolished and a huge shopping center has come up in its place. Our bridge days are over but not forgotten.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

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