In Pune, Megha Bhat, aged 59, often visits her childhood friend's house on quiet afternoons. There, they gather around a set of Mahjong tiles, enjoying tea, coffee, and snacks before starting the game. The ancient Chinese game of Mahjong has gained popularity recently in the city, with a thriving community of players. Megha, who has been playing for 15 years, mentioned the enthusiastic players who engage in daily matches. Similarly, Delhi resident Vineeta Sahni, aged 63, shared her passion for Mahjong, which she learned over 25 years ago, passed down from her mother's set. Mahjong, a game of skill and strategy played with a set of 144 tiles featuring Chinese characters, has become a popular choice for family gatherings and social clubs. Like the card game rummy, Mahjong involves forming specific combinations of tiles to win. Each region and format have their own set of rules and variations. Sangeeta Kewalramani from Mumbai, who has been playing Mahjong for 16 years and teaching for 5 years, emphasized the ease of learning the game through a module of ten sessions."The game of Mahjong is the same everywhere, but each country has customized it to their preferences. I also educate my students on how to calculate scores," she mentioned. Depending on the table rules, some treat it as a social gambling activity where payouts are determined by the final scores. Nevertheless, the majority play Mahjong purely for enjoyment. Sharon Dhondy, another Mahjong enthusiast and instructor, is a regular at popular family clubs in Mumbai like the Willingdon Sports Club and CCI. "Mahjong is not complex at all. It doesn't require intense focus or deep thinking. It offers challenge but is also fun, making it suitable for all age groups," she explained. In addition to the original Chinese method of playing Mahjong, there is also an American approach. While some engage in multiplayer online versions of the game, the offline variant has gained substantial popularity. A Mahjong game set typically costs between Rs 12,000 and Rs 14,000, with racks priced at Rs 8,000-10,000. "The expenses are usually divided among the four players, making it affordable for regular players," Dhondy shared. For many enthusiasts, Mahjong is not just a game but an addiction that imparts life skills such as patience and integrity, and teaches how to navigate chaos. Game sessions typically take 2-2.5 hours to complete, varying based on the players' ages and speed. "Mahjong isn't just for older individuals or exclusively for women. It's a popular choice for our family gatherings, enjoyed by everyone. Perhaps its association with older generations gives it that perception of being an 'oldies' game," a Mahjong player from Pune remarked.