After promotion, I never got the opportunity or desire to play chess. Table tennis, not being available in all branches, was also forgotten. Carrom was a popular game, and I could continue to play wherever I went.

When I was posted to the rural center, I had taken my carrom board with me since that was one of the sources of entertainment, not only for my family but for the entire staff. Many were conversant, and some took interest and learned.

My second-in-command got very much interested and would visit my house on Sundays and play 10 to 15 games with me. And get fairly and squarely beaten in all. But the point is he developed into a good player. I can say without any false sense of pride I was the champion in the huge group of 7!

After 12 years or so, I got the opportunity to play table tennis, and to me, it was a great way to relieve stress.

And that was the end to the venture into the sports arena in the workplace.

One thing that always bothered me and never could work around—in casual games with friends and colleagues, I was good. But the moment it is given the tag of a tournament, my hands and legs would shake. I would be stiff. In carrom, sometimes I could not even release the finger. There would be such a strain on them. In table tennis, I would not see the ball at all. It was so embarrassing. A mental block developed whenever it was a competition. Try hard however I may, this could not be overcome. After all, it was a game. Win or lose, what harm could it do to me? Yet…never figured out.

My children and grandchildren have all taken to sports. All of them enjoy playing. Luckily, none of them have any such blocks.

In fact, both my sons participated in inter-school tournaments. And one of them went on to play in inter-college tournaments as well.

Continued in 245. Twin Twine - Part 4