How a Bengali Villain became a hero for bridge

The Indian team performed exceptionally well at the recently-concluded World Bridge Games in Buenos Aires: Ravi Goenka’s team made it to the Finals of the Seniors’ event, where they gave the fancied US team (which included storied players like Meckstroth, Zia, and Lall) a run for their money; the young and upcoming pair of Binod Shaw and Sanjit Dey won a pairs event; and the Open, Mixed, and Women’s teams all returned commendable performances.

Until just a few years ago, there was sporadic participation of India in the major international events, and we would all celebrate if one of our teams made it to the Round of 32!

So, what happened?

As is patently obvious, the Indian Government has commenced sponsoring an Indian contingent for various bridge events and the results are plain for everybody to see.

But what did it take for this to happen?

Government Policy

The Indian Government policy categorically states that “Sports is a national priority” and that “Sport is at par with public education and public health.” Governments at both the center and in the states have several programs to promote sports.

In addition, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) has a stated objective to assist the National Sports Federations (NSFs) in winning medals at Olympic Games, Asian Games, and other such prestigious events. Towards this end, the MYAS provides NSF’s with financial support.

To ensure that the government is getting the maximum “bang for its bucks”, the MYAS classifies all sports in three categories:

- Priority: Top level sports where India has a high likelihood of winning medals.

- General: Emerging sports.

- Other: The bottom of the pile.

The bulk of the funding goes, quite naturally, to Priority, and virtually nothing to the “Other” category of sports.

For years, Bridge languished in the “Other” category. We received absolutely no support from the Government and it was left to enterprising players like Kiran Nadar and Ashok Goel to sponsor teams for playing in international tournaments.

So how did the change come about?

Enter Arijit Guha

Arijitda had been Secretary of the West Bengal Bridge Association, the state where the best and largest number of players came from. As they do today.

When Arijitda was elected Secretary of the Bridge Federation of India, he immediately delved into the complete lack of financial support for Bridge from the MYOS. He was astonished to discover that Chess was a “Priority” sector sport while Bridge had always languished in the “Other” category. This finding made Arijitda a man possessed.

On his first visit to MYAS, Arijitda had an appointment with a Senior official of the Ministry. As soon as Arijitda entered, the officer got up from his chair and rushed to greet Arijitda, almost tripping over himself in the process (!)

The officer, from Bengal himself, recognized Arijitda from Bengali Cinema. Arijitda usually played the role of the father-in-law or the villain (and I cannot believe there was much difference between the two).

Anyway, the medium of the conversation immediately switched to Bangla and the two of them talked excitedly about morning walks at Victoria Memorial, Raja Santosh Road, checking out the girls in New Market, eating Jhaal-Muri at Lighthouse cinema etc. etc.

And, of course, West Bengal Politics. Endlessly.

This routine was repeated for the next 6-7 months with one change: From the second meeting onwards, Arijitda would come armed with a small box of Nobin Chandra Das sandesh, the officer’s favorite!

After a while, I summoned the courage to ask Arijitda how any of this would help us in our objective of getting Bridge re-classified. He looked at me pityingly and said; “Arun, please be patient.”

Sure enough, in a couple of months, a notification was issued by MYAS moving Bridge straight from the “Other” to “Priority” category – in one fell swoop. This entitled the game to the maximum level of financial support from the Government.

Indian bridge has not been the same ever since.

How did it come about?

About a year later, I was playing on Arijitda’s team at the Tolly Club tournament. I asked him what had caused this miracle to happen. Arijitda simply said: At our last meeting, I gave the Ministry official my personal assurance that if he were to put Bridge in the Priority category, he would absolutely not regret it.

And how Arijitda has lived up to his word!

As we prepare to send our players to play the 2025 Bermuda Bowl, let’s remember to mutter a silent “Thank You” to Arijitda.

Disclaimer : All opinions are entirely those of the author and are no reflection of the views of the BridgeFromHome Team.