Learning at Mahalaxmi Race course

Dear All

After I have Read this Article  I Felt it is worth Pasting Here.

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Posted By :  Ayyarnatarajan     Posted on : 6/14/2011

Subject :      Learning at Mahalaxmi Race course

Source:       http://www.indiarace.com/Htalk/postreply.asp?id=1004354 

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    I was working with a reputed pharmaceutical company close to the Mahalaxmi Race Course - Mumbai.

    During one of my visit to the Race course I met an old Parsi Gentleman. He was blessed with good physique and an impressive personality. His age could be around 65 to 70. He told me that he was a retired Captain from the Merchant Navy. He has seen almost all ports of the World. Had a good time in his life.
    I used to call him uncleji or Captain Saheb. He never played with any bookmaker. He used buy a Jackpot ticket only. As usual, he too like us was a loser all times. One day he cracked jackpot, took me to the Taj and gave a nice party. He got around Rs 34K.

    During one of the visits, Book Makers gave a tempting odds for a horse ridden by Jockey Mallesh Narredu. The odds were around 3 to one. It was a joint favorite and every one right from Astrologers, Media Tips, Track Reporter recommended. I too paid Rs 300 win. Mallesh took a good start and beautifully improved his position from fourth to third then second and at after the turning in the straight he was leading. I was jubilant and happy. But my joy was short lived. Nearing 100 metres he gave up the race and allowed other horses to pass through him.

    Everybody grumbled and some people abused the jockey also. I too abused him. When Captain saheb heard my abuse he became furious and shouted at me, "Why do you abuse the jockey. We do not know what transpired between Owner-Trainer and jockey. Perhaps they might be preparing for a forthcoming Cup race. If this horse wins today then the handicapper will penalise the horse and then it will be bit difficult for the horse to win the cup race. For this you should not have abused the jockey." He asked me how much I have played and I replied Rs 300.

    Then he took out 3 hundred rupees notes from his pocket and told me that promise me that you will never abuse any one in your life time and this is my gift to you in exchange of your promise and gave me the 3 hundred rupees notes.

    I was shocked and as a matter of respect and affection for him I kept quiet. I just replied sorry sir I promise that I will never abuse any one. But please keep the money with you sir.

    He angrily told me that no no if you do not take the money you will forget the promise and you will ruin your career. If at all you have some respect for me you must accept it.

    I had no choice and just to calm him I accepted the money from him. Afterwards he said we are not in a mood to watch other races and let us go home. He added further come to my home and have a drink and go. We left the race and took a taxi to his home. He was having his flat near Bombay Central station not far away from the Mahalaxmi Race course.

    His wife greeted me and asked my preference whether coffee or tea. Captain saheb said nor coffee or tea we are going to have BEER.

    His wife said - kya bath hai aap log race par paisa banaya lagtha hai.

    Captain saheb got annoyed with her and said to her in Parsi Gujarathi - Thame vath nathi karvanu che.

    Then he took a bottle of Kingfisher Beer from the fridge. His wife brought a plate of salty Ghatiya Papdi for us.

    After the first round, he told me, "My dear friend we have a mantra in our community - HUMATHA, HUKTHA, HUVARASTHA. Meaning Good Words, Good Thoughts and Good Deeds. God has given us mouth to appreciate others and never to abuse. Mind to think something good to the community. We are always debtors to the society. Look at the school you have gone, College, University these are all built by our forefathers. We have been given resources to do good deeds to the socity and never for self use only

    We can never repay our debts to them. By following these principles only many people from our community (Parsi) have become leaders in business. Jamshedji Tata is an example."
    I could not control my emotion and a few drops of tears also melted down from my eyes.

    Then he said, "When you lose a race never abuse the jockey. I will give you a magic. Just write a note to the jockey for example today - Dear Jockey Mallesh thank you for your efforts and sincere attempt. You did take a good start and improved your position and you were leading the field. Somehow you could not make it to the winning post. I am sure you will have good luck next time. I wish you a wonderful time with your family this evening at your home. Then write your name and read the note three times and tear it and throw away. Next time make it a point to play the horse with the same jockey. You can take it from me he will win."
    I thanked him as well his wife and went to my home.

    True to his word, Mallesh did bring his horse and made a double next racing day. Recently week before when Noel Callow lost all his three mounts (Saturday) I wrote a similar note to him. To my surprise next day he brought all his four mounts.

    Today, Captain saheb is no more. But he taught me what I did not learn at my home-school-college-university, why even at the Management Institute where I did my Post graduate Diploma.
    His teaching helped to climb up in my career.

    I am still keeping his three hundred rupees notes given to me as a gift in exchange of my promise. Noble soul indeed.

    But for the Mahalaxmi Race course, I would not have met the Captain Saheb. So although I have a considerable sum but the Race Course paid me in other ways,

    HUMATHA, HUKTHA, HUVARASTHA - Good Words - Good thoughts and Good Deeds.

    With best wishes to all my online friends.