Rynjah, 70-year archer, takes aim during 'teer' in Shillong, in the northeastern Indian state of Meghalaya. HT Photo
SHILLONG, Meghalaya /
The Hindustan Times / January 21, 2009
By Rahul Karmakar
It takes 3,000 arrows to hit the jackpot in Meghalaya everyday. J. Rynjah bets on his eyesight to shoot 50 of those and earn Rs.80 a day ($1.50). The money is "extra income" for this potato farmer from Nongkynrih village, 35 km from here.
At 70, Rynjah is the oldest of 30 stewards, permanent shooters employed by the Khasi Hills Archery Sports Institute (KHASI), which controls Shillong's open-air casino - a 12,000 sq ft field adjoining the polo grounds that hosts 'teer', the legendary archery-based gambling every evening. It is the biggest of the state's three 'teer' centres, which offer a return of Rs.60-80 for every Rs.1 wagered.
Rynjah's daily routine includes arriving at the 'teer' venue by 3.30 pm and taking position on an arc 60 ft from the target - a 30x45 inches bamboo-strip cyclinder fixed on a bamboo pole.
As a tule, the archers have to land a maximum of 1,800 arrows on the target durig the first round of four minutes. The second round of three minutes, entails 1,200 arrows, each two feet long and made of pencil-thin bamboo reeds with kite feathers as stabilising vanes.
The last two digits of the number of successful arrows counted after each round are the winning figures.
Bettors may or may not predict the lucky numbers through bookies to hit the jackpot, but 'teer' ensures at least Rs.300 million as annual revenue for the Meghalaya government. "The government is only interested in the money, it does nothing for the traditional sport of archery. It's left to us to spot shooting talents and give them
a source of income," saod KHASI president P. Laloo.
There is an an attempt to blend traditional teer with modern archery. And wean away village archers from betting, but tradititional 'teer' attracts many tourists. Sports associations are happy Meghalaya has produced some promising archery talent. Many are betting on their ability to hit the bulls eye.
Source: The Hindustan Times.
January 21, 2009
INDIA: At 70, this archer boosts income by shooting 50 'teers' a day
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'Teer,' a form of legalised gambling in Meghalay, veers towards modern archery
Rynjah, 70-year archer, takes aim during 'teer' in Shillong, in the northeastern Indian state of Meghalaya. HT Photo
SHILLONG, Meghalaya /
The Hindustan Times / January 21, 2009
By Rahul Karmakar
It takes 3,000 arrows to hit the jackpot in Meghalaya everyday. J. Rynjah bets on his eyesight to shoot 50 of those and earn Rs.80 a day ($1.50). The money is "extra income" for this potato farmer from Nongkynrih village, 35 km from here.
At 70, Rynjah is the oldest of 30 stewards, permanent shooters employed by the Khasi Hills Archery Sports Institute (KHASI), which controls Shillong's open-air casino - a 12,000 sq ft field adjoining the polo grounds that hosts 'teer', the legendary archery-based gambling every evening. It is the biggest of the state's three 'teer' centres, which offer a return of Rs.60-80 for every Rs.1 wagered.
Rynjah's daily routine includes arriving at the 'teer' venue by 3.30 pm and taking position on an arc 60 ft from the target - a 30x45 inches bamboo-strip cyclinder fixed on a bamboo pole.
As a tule, the archers have to land a maximum of 1,800 arrows on the target durig the first round of four minutes. The second round of three minutes, entails 1,200 arrows, each two feet long and made of pencil-thin bamboo reeds with kite feathers as stabilising vanes.
The last two digits of the number of successful arrows counted after each round are the winning figures.
Bettors may or may not predict the lucky numbers through bookies to hit the jackpot, but 'teer' ensures at least Rs.300 million as annual revenue for the Meghalaya government. "The government is only interested in the money, it does nothing for the traditional sport of archery. It's left to us to spot shooting talents and give them
a source of income," saod KHASI president P. Laloo.
There is an an attempt to blend traditional teer with modern archery. And wean away village archers from betting, but tradititional 'teer' attracts many tourists. Sports associations are happy Meghalaya has produced some promising archery talent. Many are betting on their ability to hit the bulls eye.
Source: The Hindustan Times.
Rynjah, 70-year archer, takes aim during 'teer' in Shillong, in the northeastern Indian state of Meghalaya. HT Photo
SHILLONG, Meghalaya /
The Hindustan Times / January 21, 2009
By Rahul Karmakar
It takes 3,000 arrows to hit the jackpot in Meghalaya everyday. J. Rynjah bets on his eyesight to shoot 50 of those and earn Rs.80 a day ($1.50). The money is "extra income" for this potato farmer from Nongkynrih village, 35 km from here.
At 70, Rynjah is the oldest of 30 stewards, permanent shooters employed by the Khasi Hills Archery Sports Institute (KHASI), which controls Shillong's open-air casino - a 12,000 sq ft field adjoining the polo grounds that hosts 'teer', the legendary archery-based gambling every evening. It is the biggest of the state's three 'teer' centres, which offer a return of Rs.60-80 for every Rs.1 wagered.
Rynjah's daily routine includes arriving at the 'teer' venue by 3.30 pm and taking position on an arc 60 ft from the target - a 30x45 inches bamboo-strip cyclinder fixed on a bamboo pole.
As a tule, the archers have to land a maximum of 1,800 arrows on the target durig the first round of four minutes. The second round of three minutes, entails 1,200 arrows, each two feet long and made of pencil-thin bamboo reeds with kite feathers as stabilising vanes.
The last two digits of the number of successful arrows counted after each round are the winning figures.
Bettors may or may not predict the lucky numbers through bookies to hit the jackpot, but 'teer' ensures at least Rs.300 million as annual revenue for the Meghalaya government. "The government is only interested in the money, it does nothing for the traditional sport of archery. It's left to us to spot shooting talents and give them
a source of income," saod KHASI president P. Laloo.
There is an an attempt to blend traditional teer with modern archery. And wean away village archers from betting, but tradititional 'teer' attracts many tourists. Sports associations are happy Meghalaya has produced some promising archery talent. Many are betting on their ability to hit the bulls eye.
Source: The Hindustan Times.
