What is life in a material sense? A gamble. We are all puppets in the hands of destiny. But in moments of success and glory we forget that the wheel of destiny will also take a turn for the worse. The euphoria will end.

Listen to Dr. S. Radhakrishnan: "Life is like a game of bridge. We did not invent the game or design the cards; we did not frame the rules and we cannot control the dealing. The cards are dealt out to us whether they be good or bad. But we can play the game well or play it badly. A skilful player may have a poor hand and yet win the game. A bad player may have a good hand and yet make a mess of it. Our life is a mixture of necessity and freedom, chance and choice ... We may not change events, but we can change our approach to events."

I am quoting this only to emphasise how much we are creatures of circumstances and change. And I am reflecting about this predicament of life only because of my visit to Bangalore Race Course recently. I had the ring - side view of many men and women experiencing this play of destiny. It was the Governor's Cup — one of the prestigious races for the season.

People, the wise - cracks, say gambling is a vice. But compared to other gamblings in life — like choosing a job, starting a business, getting married, lending money etc. — going to race is just fun ! I don't consider punters as anti - social, depraved or get – rich - quick money maniacs just as I don't consider drinking an evil in itself. It is the excess of gambling or drinking without the kind of caution Dr. Radhakrishnan gave that puts us in trouble.

Be that as it may, if one really wants to make money in horse - racing it is only by taking bets with the bookies. And one must have lots of money to make lots more of it. So you see, given a little of horse - sense, a little bit of luck and a little extra money, you can make more money than what you had carried to the Race Course. There are many who have become millionaires by betting on the animals. Their animal instincts probably work well. Many have made gambling in race their profession. I knew of a young engineer in Pune who quit his job to pursue his father's passion — racing. He told me that he was the third generation in his family deep into racing, making enough money and at the same time enjoying the Royal sport, as he put it. They are the lucky ones in gambling.

Incidentally, racing is considered not simply as a game of chance, as some people think, but is now accepted as a game of skill even by law courts. Therefore, the success of a punter in racing also depends much on his skill in selecting the winning horse.

Some people are indeed lucky in gambling just as some are lucky in love and war — Napoleon for example.

As for me, I am so unlucky I have lost substantial amounts for my humble financial status in races without any hope of ever making - up the loss. In a way it has helped. I no longer bet on animals. Instead I bet on myself, work hard in the office and I never lost. As for racing, I am so unlucky that whenever I get a dark - fluke or a winner with good odds either the jockey himself falls off the mount or the horse itself collapses in mid-course or the race itself is cancelled! So you see, that's destiny.

But then, don't take me as an example. Look at M. A. M. Ramaswamy, that great sportsman of the country and the greatest patron of sports — cricket, hockey and horse - racing. He heads many sports bodies also. When such racing giants are seen in the race course, words spread in whispers about their selection and betting. Lesser mortals soon place their betting after them. Sadly one man's luck can't be transferred to another man.

It was also after a long time I was entering the Bangalore Race Course and was pleasantly surprised to see many new and modern facilities provided to the punters — to encourage them to patronise racing.

By the way, the Bangalore Race Course, known as Bangalore Turf Club (BTC), is entangled in a legal battle with the government which is bent on shifting the race course out of city for its own, not so specious a reason. Well, Real estate Sir, real estate. After all, a politician's heart is where the treasure is. Did you get me Steve?