Indo-Pak diplomatic relations are not at their best - the proposed bilateral cricket series in December is all set to be cancelled - but that doesn't mean there's no cultural or sporting exchange taking place between the two countries.
Even the 42nd World Bridge Championships that started here on Sunday has a unique Pakistan trio comprising three generations of women from the same family hogging the limelight. Qudsia Dossa is in her 70s, but she is the leader of the pack. And she has daughter Rubina Hai and granddaughter Fatima Raza for company. The trio form the core of the women's team from Pakistan that is fighting for the Venice Cup, one of the trophies at stake in a tournament that has several formats and players from 35 countries taking part.
For the Karachi trio, it's not their first visit to India. Qudsia has been here many times while Fatima made her international debut in Ahmedabad a few years back. "The cultures are similar, some of my best friends are from India, it is a home away from home for me. We reached Mumbai and met our friends before coming down to Chennai," Fatima told TOI on the sidelines of the event.
Interestingly, Fatima - who was Pakistan's No 1 ranked tennis player in the U-18 category-started playing bridge at the insistence of her brother. "I was expecting my first child, and was into my seventh month of pregnancy when my brother told me to spend some time playing this sport. Soon, I was hooked to it," she recalled.
Qudsia, too, has always been a sports lover and started playing bridge about two decades ago. "Cricket is the most popular sport in Pakistan and brings together the entire nation. For us, bridge was part of our social fabric and we grew up watching our relatives play it," she said.
Even the 42nd World Bridge Championships that started here on Sunday has a unique Pakistan trio comprising three generations of women from the same family hogging the limelight. Qudsia Dossa is in her 70s, but she is the leader of the pack. And she has daughter Rubina Hai and granddaughter Fatima Raza for company. The trio form the core of the women's team from Pakistan that is fighting for the Venice Cup, one of the trophies at stake in a tournament that has several formats and players from 35 countries taking part.
For the Karachi trio, it's not their first visit to India. Qudsia has been here many times while Fatima made her international debut in Ahmedabad a few years back. "The cultures are similar, some of my best friends are from India, it is a home away from home for me. We reached Mumbai and met our friends before coming down to Chennai," Fatima told TOI on the sidelines of the event.
Interestingly, Fatima - who was Pakistan's No 1 ranked tennis player in the U-18 category-started playing bridge at the insistence of her brother. "I was expecting my first child, and was into my seventh month of pregnancy when my brother told me to spend some time playing this sport. Soon, I was hooked to it," she recalled.
Qudsia, too, has always been a sports lover and started playing bridge about two decades ago. "Cricket is the most popular sport in Pakistan and brings together the entire nation. For us, bridge was part of our social fabric and we grew up watching our relatives play it," she said.
