Today my getting back into shape régime has begun in earnest. After a rather boring month of just walking round and round the roof “exercising”, I went to the club this morning, for the first time since my operation a month ago. Carine picked me up at dawn, and while she rode, I walked in the cool, early morning mist – it was actually cool enough to require a fleece. What a pleasure. 3 slow kilometres around a misty polo field – not much by my previous standards - but they were literally baby steps. Tea on the lawn, a gossipy catch-up chat with friends, and then a quick dash home, before leaving to watch a 10 o’clock movie, “Invictus” with a South African friend, Pippa. I talk about the film in my Culture Corner page, so please look there.
Pippa calmly announced that she had been at the memorable rugby game that is at the heart of the film, and that it was every bit as electrifying as in the film. Am seriously impressed.
It’s a beautiful sunny afternoon, and I am off soon to watch the penultimate polo game of the season. Talking to Amer and Deepankar over high tea after yesterday’s game (more on that in a mo) I was lamenting the end of the season, but as they both pointed out, there will now be much more time and many more ponies available for chukkers and stick and ball, which is quite true.
So, back to yesterday’s game, which was organised by the Army, and thus was a splendid affair, as only the Army can do. A good 14-goal game, lots of pomp and ceremony, and the best trick riding I have ever seen – though I agree with both Bogey on Thursday, and Sharad yesterday, who said it should rather be called skilled riding. Trick riding doesn’t do justice to the spectacle of riders triple tent-pegging, or, my all time favourite, hanky picking. Yesterday’s hankies also came with gulal (coloured powder) so it really was a lovely sight.
Apart from all things sporty, what else has caught my attention ? Well, actually, the hockey is still on here, but India’s dizzy euphoria over beating Pakistan in the opening game has fizzled out, after 2 successive losses. They play England tonight, who are at the top of their pool at the moment.
On a much more serious note, the casualty figures from the horrific stampede that I talked about yesterday have risen, and the head of the ashram where it happened - a so-called “godman” – has seemingly done a runner.
My ranting and venting about the way women are harassed in Delhi isn’t over. This report is in today’s papers – and please note the date of the incident.
1993.
Hats off to the High Court’s statement about the situation today – “an overwhelming majority of women in Delhi do not feel safe.” Fine words, and I genuinely applaud them, but what is going to be done to rectify such a situation ?
While I am venting, let me let off steam about sycophancy. I love India, don’t get me wrong. I really do. But certain things get my goat, and a fawning article like the one below is one of them. Some poor landless labourer lost his mother in the stampede, but hey, Rahul Gandhi gave him his mobile number.
What on earth are they talking about ?
Words fail me.
Don’t miss the telling phrase “VVIP pilgrimage”.
I think VVIP shall be my word of the day. It certainly gets used a heck of a lot here. Just like some hotels now style themselves 7 star, I wonder who will be the first Indian politician to become a VVVIP ?
I shall end on a happy note – my photo of the day is from yesterday’s rather splendid trick riding :
It’s all so wonderfully gorgeous, here’s another one of the standing salute :
One last thing.
I have added another page, which will cover “green” India - the environment, wildlife, eco-issues. Do, please, read it, and give feedback.
I am looking forward to seeing the photo from Deepankar, which you took in the morning at the club !!!