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BOOK BAZAAR
A treasure troveK.R.Wadhwaney
What is the
d i f f e r e n c e
b e t w e e n
Ramesh Kohli
and other
members of
Delhi Golf Club (DGC)? He has
served the cause of the club with
outstanding books—The Lodhi &
Peacock, The glimpses of the
DGC and 50 unforgettables.
These two of the three books,
in entirety, have provided history
and narration of men/women
who have mattered in the club
from the days peacocks were
spotted on the course. The
monumental effort is as tough as
writing a history of the Board of
Control Cricket of India, from
development years of Anthony
Demello to dirty days of
N.Srinivasan, now the world's
wealthiest board. Ramesh Kohli The books provide the delight and despair that the club has gone through the days of Britis Raj. All men/women from politicians/bureaucrats/players/ promoters/administrators have been included. If the prose is precise and subtle, the sketches are 'catchy'. Titles are usually appropriate and sometime admirable.
Ramendranath Sarkar (Artist)
The author admits that the last
two, SSP Chawarasia and Anirban,
are not, strictly speaking, part of
the DGC, but they have been
provided space as 'world is not
enough' for them. The books provide the delight and despair that the club has gone through the days of British Raj. All men/women from politicians/bureaucrats/ players/promoters/administ rators have been included. If the prose is precise and subtle, the sketches are 'catchy'. Titles are usually appropriate and sometime admirable. The author admits that the last two, SSP Chawarasia and Anirban, are not, strictly speaking, part of the DGC, but they have been provided space as 'world is not enough' for them. What he did for athletics, his son, Jeev, has done for golf. Stationed in Chandigarh, he is every third day at DGC for his 'black label' and roasted chicken. The book has rightly taken all the Maliks, I.S, H.S, Ashok and Harji. The family's contribution is unparalleled for several decades. Ashok is still serving. All the kings and men have been included along with queens from doyen Sita Rawley to Nonita Lal Qureshi (Mentor) to visionary Champiki Syal. Ali Sher, tiger in woods and 'Guruji' Rohtas Singh are shining in the pages. "Marshal" Arjan Singh, proficient swimmer in Punjab, was another who promoted the game for longevity. The book has included three cricketer-turned golfers, Biloo Sethi, first amateur to win Indian Open, Prakash Bhandari and Kapil Dev for their enormous contribution to Indian golf. Kapil hit a long ball in batting as he hit a golf ball. "I have written profiles of top 100 Indian sports
persons. It has not been
published yet. But I have
provided leading position to
Rao Raja Hanun Singh (polo).
I played razor-sharp
international competitions
with his grand-son. He was a
genuine lover of longevity
through polo. These two anecdotes reveal what this 'treasure-trove' is all about. A tremendous effort. |