Date:16/12/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/16/stories/2007121658700200.htm

Andhra Pradesh

‘This city amazes me’

Geet Sethi

For him, Hyderabad is not just a city of flyovers, traffic jams and biryani. The ‘City of Pearls’ continues to charm this ‘diamond’ of cue sports, writes V.V. Subrahmanyam

F or someone who first visited Hyderabad in 1985 and incidentally won a ‘double’ in the Senior Nationals, even now there is a fascination for the city. “This city amazes me. There is so much of warmth even now. This is the beauty of Hyderabad culture. Things might be changing even as Hyderabad is joining the big metros of India,” Sethi exclaims after yet another Senior Nationals appearance.

What apparently catches the imagination of this eight-time world champion is also the city’s rapid growth. “Every time I come to the city I see a new mall or a restaurant or a flyover. This is a very energetic city. The exception being that unlike in other places in India, the people continue to find time to lead a leisurely life,” he points out.

How exactly does he spend his time when he is not competing? “I love to watch all kinds of movies besides reading lot of books. And of course relish the famous Hyderabadi biryani. I mean there are so many things in this city which always elevate your spirits,” says Geet Sethi. “There is no doubting that the city will be the hub of cue sports along with Bangalore in India,” he asserts.

This Geet prefers to be on a song – be it in sports or in life. Not surprisingly, he named his two children – Raag and Jaaz – to reflect his passion for music. The touch of aristocracy is synonymous with him and his style of conduct. Always shuttling between Ahmedabad and Mumbai for business trips, this IIM graduate is an acknowledged orator on varied subjects in Indian sports.

“Apparently, there is nothing I hate to see at a competition venue. I have no more sentiments about a particular colour of dress or cue. In fact, there is no better feeling for me in life than to be at these venues,” says Geet Sethi. That this Rajiv Khel Ratna Awardee has been achieving sporting excellence at the highest level for close to 25 years speaks volumes of his poise and confidence too.

At 46, Geet still loves to keep coming to Hyderabad as he does playing on the green baize.

By all means, this illustrious son of India is floored by the famous hospitality of the locals which almost makes him feel the city as his ‘second’ home!