Picture: Taiwanese tournament participants with the host in white and winner in the floral print dress.

Mumbai, October 10, 2026: Strategy, spirited competition and community spirit came together at The Mahjong Club, Khar, as Mumbai-based Mahjong instructor and event curator Namrata Lalwani hosted an edition of “Let’s Get Our Mahj On!!”, featuring both Taiwanese and Traditional Mahjong tournaments.

Through her community initiative, Namrata has spent over a year bringing players together through classes, casual play sessions and tournaments. Her efforts focus on making Mahjong accessible while creating opportunities for players to develop strategic skills, build friendships and connect over a shared passion. In March 2026, she was also featured in Mumbai Uncensored’s Women’s Day feature, “India’s 10 Most Inspiring Women Leaders.”

Six Rounds of Strategy and Competition

The tournament featured six rounds structured around the four winds: one round each of East and South, and two rounds each of West and North. A special rule prohibited closing on special hands in Taiwanese, adding another strategic dimension to the games.

After a challenging start, Vandana Jogani staged a remarkable comeback, winning the final three rounds consecutively. She finished with 392 points, securing the championship by a margin of 253 points. Rithu Arora finished second with 139 points, while Sofia Upadhyay took third place with 132 points.

Among the Indian Traditional Mahjong players, Amoli Doshi emerged as the winner with 43,000 points, closely followed by Shreya Rungta, who finished with 41,000 points.

Celebrating the Winners

In addition to the overall championships, prizes were awarded to individual table winners. Vandana received the grand prize, a Taiwanese Mahjong tile set from 9Bam.

The event was supported by gifting partners Dolce Bakehouse, Hojo Matcha, Sorin Spa and 9Bam, whose contributions added to the celebratory atmosphere.

What's Next for Namrata?

Her next initiative is a Riichi Mahjong crash course on Sunday, October 18, 2026, from 3 PM to 6 PM, introducing participants to the Japanese variant of the game. As Mahjong continues to attract enthusiasts in Mumbai, community-led initiatives such as Namrata’s are helping bring more players to the table one tile at a time.

Mahjong Cartel will continue to follow the tournaments, communities and personalities shaping the growth of Mahjong in India.

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