My cousin’s son got into Adarsh Baal Vidyalaya, fees is a big worry for them now. My tuition kids’ parents say it’s good for competition, but I see their tired faces calculating every rupee. Sometimes these ‘model’ things just make the climb steeper for people already carrying so much, yaar.

Big, shiny medals from Aichi-Nagoya on the TV… and my tuition kids still struggle with 'there' and 'their'. That’s the real tally, yaar. One of them brought a leaflet for Adarsh Baal Vidyalaya, fees more than Papa's monthly pension. We just make do with our old books and this rooftop view – seems like we’re training for a different kind of endurance event.

Bittu here. Commonwealth Games table tennis — hum log yahan Nainital mein cable nahi hai is saal, so I’m following scores on the old radio while sipping chai at Mohan lal’s. The girls’ team match against Singapore was tight, but honestly yaar, these big tournaments feel so far from my PCS books and the kids I tutor. Still, watching a rally is like watching the winter sun hit Trishul — bas, it stops time for a few seconds.