The Suhas Vaidya Memorial event gets under way tomorrow. We would just like to present a few more memories of the player shared by Kaustubh Bendre (with a little addition).
I remember the first time I played with Suhas. It was the Hirabaug pairs and I was absolutely terrified. He was a top player with a huge temper. We didn't win that evening, but I escaped unscathed. What is more, I got a great partner with whom I played for the next 5 years.
If you knew Suhas, you either loved and venered him or you hated him. Due to his great charm and humour though, the fans greatly outnumbered the others.
Barkya, as he was known among friends, was an excellent cricket player too. He played for (and captained) the Stars Club at PYC and it is said that only politics stopped him from playing the Ranji Trophy for Maharashtra.
Good as he was at playing bridge, he was also a brilliant organizer. He planned everything down to the last detail. The tables had to be set up (ready with bidding boxes and scoresheets) the evening before the match began. There was never a shortage of trained volunteers and a good time was had by everyone involved. He organized the Nationals at Harshal Hall impeccably, though he was midway through chemo.
His desire for perfection sometimes made people tear their hair out in frustration. He made a one of our players reconstruct a fairly large Rangoli 2-3 times till she blew her top at him. It is said that he then guffawed and let the last one be.
His bhakts called him Maharaj. Raju Tolani called him Bhausaheb (funny story right there, but not fit for print). Always energetic, great fun to be around, he was the life of every party he attended.
Years after the man succumbed to cancer, he is still sorely missed each and every day.
We invite people to share more memories of him as comments to this page.For those of you who have yet to register, we present below links of the various events. We once again request you to participate in large numbers in the event and make it a grand success!
Suhas indeed was a great man. I always maintained that in my entire service in the Army, I have rarely seen or witnessed a leadership like him. It was fun playing against him and Kausthub .
I played with Suhas as partner in many events including Goa Summer Nationals.
He was very constructive bidder and very sound player.He was pokerface at the table and very humerous too. l learned a lot from him.
One of the reason I loved to play in Pune event ,besides hospitality ,were after match evenings with him.
He was excellent organisors.He always ensured every thing is perfect.
I miss you Suhas.
Played Pune club often and asked him why does he not keep a mixed pair and he said I will if you play with me so then we won that inaugural mixed
He was a terrific organiser and Kaustubh has put it very well impeccable arrangements he had several helperd who loved him and followed him like lambs but at the same time terrified of him
He knew people well and made couple of very terse comments about some and oh he was so right
Once he boomed across the room “Vasanti no eating on table I promptly took the plate back my opponent also from Pune asked me you don’t mind his telling you I said absolutely not he is extremely fair and spares no one”
He cared that was his biggest plus he had larger than life presence
I along with Minal went and played national masters open pairs and without my asking he had given me a table very near the washroom knowing about my mobility issues he just missed nothing
Yes I do miss this giant of a man
मित्रहो मला आदरणीय कै. सुहास वैघ ह्यांची फारच कमी साथ वाली पण जेवढी साथ मिळाली त्याच्यातुन जे काही ब्रीज विषयी धडे शिकलो ते नक्कीच सुहास वैघ ह्यांना समर्पित करता येईल. त्यांच्या कडक स्वभाव आणि अनुशासित वर्तक मुळे बरेच लोक वेगवेगळे मत ठेवावे पण मी मनापासून सांगतो मी वैयक्तिक रित्या त्यांच्या वेगळा रूप अनुभवला, ते शब्दात मांडणे कठिन आहे.
त्यांच्या लवकर देवलोक प्रयाणा मुळे माझा वैयक्तिक आणि ब्रीज विश्वा चा जो तोटा झाला त्याला नक्कीच भरून काढता येणार नाही पण सुहास वैघ तुम्ही आमच्या सदैव आठवणीत राहाल 🌹🙏
very aptly described by kaustubh.many of us had the privilege of learning a few bridge lessons from him but I am perhaps the biggest beneficiary of his organising skills.I had the good fortune of being one of his close associates.people say that I am also a better organiser but I owe this all to suhas who was a great source of inspiration for all of us.this space will not be sufficient to describe suhas as a great player and a great organiser.
We all miss you suhas
Self , Aniruddha & Hemant , we fought tooth & nail in MBA for His innocence. He was a born Bridge maestro . Playing in Bermuda Bowl was his hallmark achievement . Him & Avinash Gokhale are all time great from Pune .