Just an hour after the inauguration, the house was full and abuzz with Bridge players and enthusiasts. Close to 50 members had gathered at Bridge Club in the city.
The players would not pay attention even to someone who walked in while the game was on. Engrossed in the game, the masters of tricks and trumps sat in groups of four in an ambience that was perfect for their weekend morning to be spent.
Madhav Gokhale has been playing the sport for at least 31 years now. He was among those who had gathered at the Club on Sunday. “The location, environment and ambience is at its best here. This is what makes the difference,” said Gokhale eager to go back and join the co-players.
He and many others in the club, who have represented the state and country in the sport, hope to reach out to youngsters and teach them the game.
Manoj Nair, a software professional who is also a trainer feels that playing Bridge can do good to improve a person’s analytical abilities as much as chess does.
“It is a mind game which can be used as a stepping stone to teach children the logic and help them shun the fear of maths that the traditional schooling methods introduce in their minds,” he added.
Tucked away in the serene Abshot Layout behind Windsor Manor, the club hopes to draw the game lovers with not much publicity. “What is the point in living till 80 years if one cannot even remember his own name? It is important to keep the mind active and exercise the brain. Apart from physical fitness, I wanted to ensure that mental fitness is brought in and hence the club was started,” said R T Kumar, the promoter of the club. Soon, the club would be expanded to offer more mind games such as chess and scrabble, Kumar added.
