Dr Inder Sood, a surgeon by profession and a race commentator by choice, was a jovial personality and a man about town. Always dressed in white, he enjoyed the two distinct roles he played and was proficient in both his fortes. He had what it took to do justice to his dual endeavour – a steady hand on the surgical scalpel and a sharp, clear voice that cut through the microphone across turf venues to delight the masses all over the country.

Dr Sood kept it simple, uncomplicated and as one would now call it ‘user-friendly’ to serve the purpose. And the purpose was, to create a crystal clear visual through his commentary en-masse! Hence, even those that did not know the language, Dr Sood became their favourite race caller, as his commentary gave them the intense description of the movements of hooves, the positions of the horses on the race track with precision. Those days there were no live telecast of races and punters at the various off course centres only depended on the live commentary broadcast from the source centre. Dr Sood's rendition therefore, provided real time developments and as some punters put it – “hearing doctor sahib was like actually being there and seeing things as they happened.” He was slow from start-to-finish, ensuring every word, every horse name was picked up by his large number of listeners.

Dr Sood rarely erred in judgement and when he would say, during a neck-and-neck battle – “travelling the better of the two” the crowd moved away from the blaring loudspeakers in a hurry to queue-up to en-cash their winning tickets! One of the most famous phrases that Dr Sood was popular for, was “Long Way from Home” and the good ‘ol man had the gumption to say this very early in the long Mahalaxmi homestretch, sticking his neck out, most would think, but the bloke never once went wrong!

Dr Sood himself perhaps didn’t know the extent of his popularity among the racing enthusiasts across every inter-venue centre. I was one among the commoners who used to feel the adrenalin rush the moment he would say “As the heads turn for home!” His tempo of discourse was slow and that rather prolonged the suspense; the rasp in his voice made the hair stand on the nape of your neck; he could multiply your joy if you had your money on the winner, yet, he could make you feel the thrill and pleasure of the race even as you squashed and flung your ticket into the bin. Dr Sood’s voice wove the magic in those few moments of live action!

Dr Sood departed at a ripe age of 92, grappling with age related ailments. He lived on his own terms and was empathetic towards everyone he knew. He ran a hospital in Mumbai focussing more on serving the populace rather than on the commercials, which is an admirable trait. He was a jovial man, ready with a crispy joke for any situation. Most conversations with him would culminate with laughter and a high-five. ‘Laughter is the best medicine’ the doctor would often say and indeed he put it to practise. Along with commentary, Dr Sood also stood-in as the Medical Officer at the RWITC. A regular figure on duty at the Mahalaxmi racecourse almost every day of the week as the medico for the first emergency response, he may have helped many back on their feet.

Dr Sood stayed away from his passion and profession in the last decade due to old age. It would be ideal if the RWITC, his home centre for about two decades, decides to honour him with a race in his memory as a gesture of goodwill and recognition.

Farewell, Dr Sood; after thrilling most in the racing fraternity for decades, I am inclined to conclude this tribute to you, saying that you have indeed gone a long way from home! Your memory though, will never fade away!