B ridge Gyaan takes you on a journey that encompasses the essentials of the game in an easy to grasp mode. The book on bridge, stitched together by Major (Retd.) Sunit Mahajan, Ranjana Tandon and Dr. Anjana Neira Dev, is a first of its kind. Knowledge of bridge is not a handicap when you pick up Bridge Gyaan . It has been superbly scripted and illustrated with jokes, anecdotes and cartoons.
“When it came to me the manuscript looked dull and horrible,” laughed Ranjana, a teacher of repute with expertise in English and Social Studies. Her co-authors, conceded Ranjana, had done “a lot of work” and it was a “challenge to present the reader with an attractive book.” “From the first page we concentrated on holding the attention of the reader. As a teacher I have always engaged students with simplicity and humour. We looked to make this book different from the many on the subject. My dear co-authors had compiled huge notes and it is heartening to know that there is appreciation for the effort,” said Ranjana. “I took it up as a challenge. Bridges was an integral part of my life as my grandfather and parents used to play. It is an expensive game to learn and this book will help the readers learn more about the game,” chipped in Anjana.
Major Mahajan was a keen bridge player and reportedly a worthy competitor, not missing any of the competitions in the Capital. “I had the basic card sense even though I had not played professional bridge initially,” said Major Mahajan. He got together with Ranjana and Anjana and produced a much readable book. “We played every day,” added Major Mahajan. As a member of the Delhi Gymkhana, he had access to the bridge room and the “seeds for the book” were sown when he realised there was a need to put his experience to use. “We took down copious notes and held classes, recording all the bids and responses, we would write and correct and soon a pattern emerged,” recalled Major Mahajan, a passionate proponent of the game.
The essence of the book is captured in a nice poem by Ranjana. She begins with “I was always on the periphery, From the outside looking in” and signs off “I’m on the inside now, looking out, What a wonderful view!!!” Not bad for someone who had no clue about bridge before this project, published by Ane Books Pvt. Ltd.
In Major Mahajan’s words, the contributions by Anjana, an associate professor of English at Gargi College, and Ranjana, are the standout parts of the book. “They are so creative and have put together an interesting package with crossword and quiz,” he concluded.
Bridge Gyaan is indeed a praiseworthy offering, and not just for the bridge freaks.
