Shuttle

Obsessed   with....

Many nights went sleepless waiting for sunrise, cursed the slow motion of  time. It was all because, I couldn’t wait myself of  playing badminton shuttle cock in the morning.

Started in Bangalore as i could not afford to have a good bat or shuttle cock in college days. All  my sports friends (Thomas, Santhosh and   Mathew ) were always there dot on time. We got a evening slot in the Railway club, Bangalore (near central Railway station) and  to play there, all the way from  Peenya, I used to drive my Bajaj Super to my house at  Rajaji Nagar and somehow reach the court. Later when the club said no to us,  we found entry to  Kerala Club which was still farther than Railway club but continued the game.

Then the playing slot changed, I had to start by 04 AM in the morning and travel 30 kms and then back to house and then reach office by 09 AM. Whenever I could not  play, the day used to be a moody day for me. Mood swings are the worst things hated by my wife, and she preferred me to play rather than stay back with mood swings.

Shuttle badminton is one passion which gave me an inspiration to get up in the morning and to reach office on time so that I can leave office exactly at 1730. I was told  that drinking or smoking activity make you rich by acquiring many new friends. Same is the case with  shuttle also.It  gave me the opportunity to network with many new people and got lot of good lifelong friends at different locatons. 

Many times on official tour, it was easy to play in many clubs of big organisations who had their own campus and indoor courts.  I used to carry my shoes in anticipation  and on the first day itself, I will survey and get all details of the court and connect with the players. 

But biggest hurdles were faced during the transfer to other cities. It was not easy to locate the courts in the new place of posting and also get an entry into the court or joining a established group. All places  - Bangalore, Coimbatore, Chennai, Trivandrum, Kochi and Delhi -  I have managed to connect with locals of that city  and play along with them. My strategy in the new city was to wake up in the morning  and follow  people going with the shuttle bat without their knowledge. After locating the place, the very next day, I reach there without any gear and watch the standard of the game. 

Shelling my inhibitions, I will connect with someone and request for a chance to play one game. This was the most difficult part. But when I get the chance, it  would give me an opportunity to display my abliity and make them know that I am not  a starter. I knew no group would like to have a beginner. 

On the other side, this passion and over indulgence  brought me pain and sufferings to me my family  at many times. I remember after a tiring game, I returned all the way back home and then traveled to Vadavally where  my house construction was progressing. I watered the concrete and returned back home at Kavundampalayam. On that day I also had to go for a CSA inspection, and so  I started off immediately in my car ( First model of Maruti 800.) On my way, I recollect, I was following a lorry near Mettupalayam and I believe - I must have dozed off  for a moment....... It was all over in that split second. A huge sound and I was jolted inside my car and the car was pushed away to sideways. Then only I  realised that (Thank GoD,  I was alive) my car rammed head on  with a speeding government bus.  I sat there in the car, with my front glasses broken, panels broken trying to reassure my confidence. My shuttle game could have come to an end on that day. Partially completed my house could have remained as a skeleton like a Colosseum and in seconds my body could have been packed and wrapped. Probably overindulgence in anything is not advisable. I could have avoided too much strain of getting up early and going to club when I had the other pressing assignments.  I remember the story of the bee - drinking the honey from the edge of a cup filled up to the brim. Till the moment it decided to jump into it to have more, it was all fine.....I too have learned a lesson " Not to leave any passion but to balance it till it leaves you".  That is the truth. Today -  24th May - My Marriage Anniversary-   the long journey of shuttle game just flashed when I picked up my bat in the morning.  I dedicate this post to  my love and my wife -Sheela Joy- who sacrificed a lot to manage the young children and other household  work  which enabled  me to enjoy the game at any time in all places. Thanks my love...I remember this every time my hand picks up the bat.