Issue :   
April 2018 Edition of Power Politics is updated.         April 2018 Edition of Power Politics is updated.
Issue:Apr' 2018

BOOK BAZAAR

A treasure trove

K.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.
His last book 'Unforgettables' is a master-piece—prose, sketches, get-up, thickness of paper, extra-ordinary printing. It is truly, a coffee-table collectors' volume. It is a priceless book. It is really so because it is his contribution to the club.
In school/ college days, Kohli's first love was cricket. In Hindu college, it developed. He took to golf and became inseparable. He is a media man—print and electronic. His documentary on the 'Flying Sikh' was appreciated.
He writes golf with passion. He and Harji Malik are pioneers in popularizing golf which, from couple of lines to regular sports item, is now a part of sports coverage in all newspapers and magazines.

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 India golf's God-father has been Pawan Munjal. Golf is living and kicking because of his timely 'rescue operations'. The Indian Open on the verge of collapse; rather it collapsed. But he came to rescue it and he continues to do so. Thanks to him, the doyen of world golf, played at DGC, delighted thousands of enthusiasts. His modesty and cheerfulness have remained unchanged despite his manifold personal problems. Thanks again to Munjal, Indian sports is seeing a refreshing change.
Dr. Bharat Ram was a sports lover. He played tennis and hockey when he fell ill in late 1941. He then fell in love with golf and played around for about 50 years. His slogan was: "Increase your longevity by playing a round every day. He felt uneasy without hitting the ball. He sponsored coaching for fast bowlers.
Vishnu Sahay, Dharma Vira, Peter Thomson (Australia), Omi Malhotra and Rajiv Dhingra are among many others mentioned in the book. Kohli say: "I have been careful but to err is human".
Milkha Singh and Indian sports are synonymous. His records live; so do his spirit and youthfulness.

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.
A kid presented a riddle to her teacher: 'Ek haveli mey sakaro sipahis', Ma'am, what is it? The teacher was baffled. The kid presented her a 'match-box'.
"A favourite student rushed to Dr Johnson's room. saying, 'there is only one word in dictionary, which mentions 's' but is pronounced 'sh' and that is 'Sugar'. Without lifting his head, Dr Johnson asked her "Are you sure?" The student disappeared."

These two anecdotes reveal what this 'treasure-trove' is all about. A tremendous effort.