The striker's club in Ballimaran - Delhi

They left at 3 AM; and were ready and back again here at 10.
Photo Courtesy: Ritvik Gaud

It was a dimly lit room with rustic walls, old furniture, an attic full of trophies and glistening carrom boards under bright lampshades.
Photo Courtesy: Ritvik Gaud

There is no sign that this place is about anything else but carrom. I wonder if I'm still in this age. Any defining sign of our familiar society is shaken off and lost behind while walking through the narrow lanes of Ballimaran to reach here.
Photo Courtesy: Ritvik Gaud

Irfan, has been in love of the game for 30 years. He and many others play here for 4 to 6 hours every day and go into a craze with many more hours over the weekends. He got his job at LIC, a recent promotion and a half day flexi-work schedule, all because of Carrom. LIC like some of the other PSUs promotes the game through quota schemes. This is a motivation for many who come here. They could rather be doing something else but they choose to do this, every day like a religion.
Photo Courtesy: Ritvik Gaud

When I was leaving Irfan told me about an acronym that he has invented to teach others about the game: C - Concentration, A - Accuracy, R – Remember the Queen, R - Rare shots-try rarely, O- Optimism, M - Movement of the body. I saw shots that I didn't think were possible; there were 4 regional or national champions in the room.
Photo Courtesy: Ritvik Gaud

He wanted to teach many more and reach many more. I told him that I'll help him get on you-tube. He said that will help him push Carrom from drawing rooms and clubs to stadiums as a serious game. While leaving I promised to come back again and try a couple of shots myself.
Photo Courtesy: Ritvik Gaud