15 February,2010 07:26 AM IST | | Hemal Ashar
While Osho's maroon robes and a general air of bohemia pervaded the shattered German Bakery in Pune, the cafe also resonated with 'horse talk' that lingo peculiar to the horse racing regulars, every Pune racing season.u00a0
Racing regular, Hitesh C says, "Years ago, most horse owners would visit the German bakery, as they used to stay at Pune's only Five Star hotel -- the Blue Diamond -- which was formerly run by the Kirloskars. The atmosphere in that bakery reminded one of those charming little cafes in Paris. Amid the clatter of crockery one could find groups discussing tote, dividends, favourites and furlongs, the kind of conversation you might overhear in the mornings at another racing haunt -- the Gallops -- in Mumbai."
Says Royal Western India Turf club (RWITC) committee member, Champak Zaveri: "Though I am Mumbai-based, I also have a home at Clover Classic, just two buildings away from the German bakery. In fact, I was in Pune on Thursday (two days before the blast). I remember all those enjoyable breakfasts at the place. We used to relish the variety of breads there. The tranquility of Pune has been shattered."u00a0
Top jockey Malesh Narredu, former Indian Derby winner, is a Pune resident and lives close to the turf club in Pune. He says: "What is especially shocking is that the terrorists managed to strike even though Pune was thought to be safe as it is an army base. I used to accompany my friends for breakfast to the German bakery, enjoying their company and the atmosphere at this iconic eating place."
High-profile owner, and former RWITC chairman, Pune-based Dr Cyrus Poonawalla, termed the blast as, "Cowardly," asking, "Why did these killers not take on the troops or engage the paramilitary? Obviously, because demolishing infrastructure and killing innocents is a soft, cowardly option." Horse owner and prominent Pune businessman Vijay Shirke, whose filly Jacqueline (Shirke is a part-owner) won the Indian Derby recently says,u00a0 "I had never been to the German bakery but I had noticed enhanced security on that road, just a couple of days earlier, heavy checking and nakabandi, probably because of the Jewish house there."
Jaydev Mody, RWITC committee member and owner lives in Mumbai and owns a home just 200m from the German bakery. "Where one would often go for coffee and sandwiches," he says, adding: "I am very clear that Pune was attacked because it is a soft target. We need to realise that it is not just the big metros that might be attacked." Mody elaborates on the bond of the racing world with Pune saying, "This is a very special centre for the racing industry. I visit Pune three days a week, for nearly six months during the Pune racing season. The old-world charm and tranquility of the entire areau00a0 -- Koregaon Park, is a great lure, it is such a classy place."
