Birthday Quartet

It was a full house that greeted Yusuf Rassiwala, Razia Khan, Sandhya Narang and Naseem Khan on their joint birthday celebration this morning. Even Harish Wadhwa made one of his rare appearances, braving inclement weather and slush to be with us. It was the biggest event of the year held so far in the Garden.
This only goes to prove the popularity of the birthday quartet. The original plans were that Yusuf-bhai and Razia-ji would host a combined treat. Then Sandhya-ji (whose birthday was on July 17) joined in. Before long, Naseem-ji (from the Yoga Group) also pitched in. As it turned out, this more-the-merrier line only contributed to the gaiety and the festive air on an otherwise drab and desultory week-end. Let us, once again, take this occasion to wish the four the very best in life and many more birthday parties to which we are invited!
Invitations are presently pending from the Guptas, Monthi Serrao and Dilip and Kajal Babani (see earlier entry, Party Time of July 29). While they are jostling for “suitable dates”, Arun Patil has booked August 2 (Monday) for celebrating his birthday-cum-wedding anniversary. It is expected to be a lavish affair in a plush hotel at Goregaon, starting 7 p.m. to midnight. And then, there are the impending (and pending) birthdays of Ramila Mistry, Hari Nariani, Kiran Sajjan, Rehana Sheikh, Sadanand Pawar… all in August itself.
Indeed, when it rains in Mumbai, it pours – parties also. Totally chhapad phad key!
In the photo (clockwise from top): Sandhya Narang, Naseem Khan, Yusuf Rassiwala and Razia Khan

Dilip Babani says:
The photo is very nice. We enjoyed Vyanjan’s dhokla, kachori, gulab-jamun and potato vada. Everybody was happy celebrating the birthday with songs and Guruji’s blessings. --Dilip

Lest We Forget

Our music system (see pic) is no more. The beautiful little three-in-one, that had kept us entertained all these days, suddenly developed multiple-organ failure early this week. Despite the best of efforts to revive her, she succumbed to her ailment on July 29. She was 15 months old.
When Arora-ji introduced her to the Club some time in April 2009, many members were circumspect. We did not know how to deal with her. The ladies eyed her with suspicion and kept their distance, even as she gave voice to some of the most mellifluous numbers ever sung by Begum Akhtar, Mehdi Hasan, Talat Mehmood, not to mention Lata Mangeshkar, Shamsad Begum, Mohammad Rafi and others. Occasionally, someone would brusquely tweak her ears to raise (or lower) the volume. She sang on nevertheless, keeping the early morning air surcharged with her crisp, crystal clear melodies.
Hers was the most uncomplaining and undemanding presence we have known. She never let us down. She only knew to give – happiness and joy. Yet, in his impatience, Arora-ji often hit and slapped her. Later, possibly out of remorse, he would tend to her lovingly, wiping her body clean before placing her in a duffel bag (specially meant for her) lest she got hurt any more. At one point, he even provided her with an extended lifeline so that she could be seated comfortably on a chair in the Garden and entertain us. Many morning walkers have stopped momentarily in their tracks, struck by her enchanting looks and inimitable voice.
But like all good things in life, this too had to end. Yusuf-bhai probably sensed it when she developed a sore throat. “Bajaa-bajaa ke, bajaa-bajaa ke, iska gala kharab kar diya Arora ne!” he complained once. Age was slowly, but surely, catching up with her. It was only a matter of time before she would breathe her last. Arora-ji and Dilip-bhai have now taken it upon themselves to save her from being consigned to the bangaar-wala for her last rites!
Meanwhile a sleek, little Nokia phone took her place at the Club today.

Harish Wadhwa says:
A very senti story indeed. I have to say that our dear Music System wasn’t as old as stated. Just that you never let her sing some "jhin-chack" music of today’s era, to cheer her up. It was a timeless piece.
I am sure Aroraji will take special care and revive her soon. I am reminded of a song by ABBA: "Who can live without it, I ask thee honestly, what would life be, without a song..." I am sure she will be revived soon to cheer up everyone and sing in her melodious voice. -- Harish

Party Time!

The monsoon may have taken a break, but it is raining parties at the Club. Kajal and Dilip Babani want to celebrate their daughter, Neelam coming first in Maharashtra University in her Masters on Audiology and Speech Therapy. Yusuf Rassiwala wants to host a party for his birthday, which fell on July 23. Razia Khan, whose birthday coincided with Geeta Sandana’s on July 27, also wants to throw a belated party some time soon. Monthi Serrao wants to celebrate the birthday of her grandson, who has just recovered from a serious bout of fever. And then there is Shekhawat’s long-overdue tea party for acquiring a new house in his locality.
But first things first. After some discussion, it was decided to combine some parties and schedule them as follows:
* Birthdays of Yusuf and Razia: Saturday, 31st July 2010.
* Celebrations of the Babanis and Monthi: Saturday, 7th August 2010
Both events would take place, as usual, soon after the exercises at the Chinese Hut.
As though these are not enough, Sushma Gupta (in pic)sprung a surprise by inviting us home (across the street) to celebrate her granddaughter’s birthday this Sunday, i.e. August 1, 2010. It would be a “grand affair” with guests from outside also attending. So we’ll have to make an exception for her and attend the party at her home.
For many of us though, we are already spoilt for choice.

Happy Tidings

After an incredibly long wet spell, the rains had abated today. Basking in the early morning sunshine were a lot of happy faces – Yusuf-bhai, Kishor, Hari-bhai, Monthi, Kajal, Motwani… people who had been missing from action all these days. And as a harbinger of good times came the news of Kajal and Dilip Babani being proud parents of, guess what – a university topper! Their daughter has emerged first from the University of Maharashtra in her Masters on speech therapy.
So let us all bask in the reflected glory and send them our CONGRATULATIONS.
In times like these, we realize the significance of our Club as an extended family – how we miss some members who do not show up, the joy of having them back, the way we celebrate one-another’s happiness, the jokes we share within ourselves… Where else would you find a stupid traffic police drill being dubbed Hai Mera Dil? A routine knee-bender with arms outstretched gets known as Kissa Kursi Ka (while everybody joins in playfully with “Down”, “Down”, “Down”). Where else will the spouse of a member be greeted from the gate with a “siren” call? Where would you see two septuagenarians holding hands and performing a Donkey Dance after the exercise? Rotating the hips becomes Naach Baliye. The latest in our repertoire is to mimic an ape scratching its armpits. Watch Dilip-bhai do it and you’d know!
Nowhere else would you find such serious mad caps. And this is what makes our Club so special and keeps us all in high spirits.

Pleasant Surprise

What a nice way to start the day! When something you do not expect comes to you, served on a platter, you can only be surprised. And when that thing happens to be a birthday cake, you are also happy – not just for yourself, but for whose birthday it is.
Well, that’s the feeling we got when Geeta Sandana (see pic)ushered in her birthday at the Club this morning. Quietly and unobtrusively, she presented us with a cake soon after the exercises and surya-namaskar prayer were over. It was then that we realized our blunder. We should have wished her earlier. To add to our discomfiture, she had lined up hot-hot idlis and crispy vadas for everybody. All this she had organised by herself.
Treating friends on birthdays is a feel-good exercise one indulges in, essentially to spread happiness and goodwill. We need to respect these sentiments. To raise the subject of mourning (following Mrs Sharma’s demise on July 15) on this occasion is therefore completely uncalled for. Besides, Geeta-ji was not present here when Shekhawat-ji had announced the suspension of birthday celebrations for the month. She was in Puri at that time.
Today is Razia Khan’s birthday also. She did not come to the Garden this morning. Along with Geeta-ji, let us wish her also all happiness, good health and fulfillment in life.

Childhood Revisited

More than torrential rains, the musical programme organized last evening at the adjacent garden had taken a toll on attendance at the Club. The ladies, it seems, had a gala time, dancing non-stop to the live orchestra played at the Saawan Ke Geet function. Little wonder they were in no position to move their tired feet this morning.
When we assembled today, we were just four – all men. Shekhawat announced that for the first time the Club was witnessing a complete absence of females, when in walked Neelam Garg. Mumtaz followed, then Kiran Sajjan, then Nahi Khan. And then the gossip mills began to move.
The subject today was a certain gentleman who was seen appropriating the pakoras served at last evening’s show and packing them carefully to take home. Apparently, he was caught in the act earlier also, at Sitaram’s daughter’s wedding. Shekhawat reported a similar incident at some picnic resort. Before any more of such embarrassing details could come up, Nahi Khan tried to diffuse the issue by pointing out that many others were equally guilty of ‘stealing pakoras’. Why pick on one person, she asked. That was enough for (at least) the men to clam up.
How cold, soggy pakoras (served in the rains) can engage the attention of an otherwise sagacious and worldly-wise group of adults speaks volumes about our mental maturity. Indeed, we are revisiting our childhood.
--Big Laaf

Novel Idea

Ramila Mistry (see pic)came up with a novel idea, which should address our medical concerns in these treacherous times. Almost everyone has a horror story to tell of callous doctors driven by greed, fleecing patients with impunity. Now, with the city in the grips of a raging viral fever and malaria epidemic, her suggestion could not be more timely.
She suggested that a list be compiled of good, competent doctors in the vicinity (say, within a radius of 2 kms) specializing in different diseases and ailments. (Actually, a list of doctors-to-be-avoided would be more helpful.) The list could then be circulated among members so that in an emergency situation, we don’t land up with the wrong doctor – and regret later.
Before Ramila-ben could finish, Shekhawat-ji recommended the name of one Dr Advani and began to give directions for reaching his clinic. Geeta-ji promptly shot it down. Apparently, this very Dr Advani was the cause for all her grief and distress last year.
Now, here lies the problem. One person’s saviour is another person’s executioner. How do you reconcile the two? After much deliberation it was decided that we would individually submit a list of our preferred doctors (with contact details), indicating their specialization, viz. medicine, heart, ENT, dentistry, etc. A similar list of hospitals and nursing homes in the area could also be drawn up. Thereafter, all the members’ lists would be compared and the names common in them (or appearing the maximum number of times) would constitute a master list and be circulated. Where in doubt, Ramila-ben has offered to do a double-check.
The idea, very simply, is that no member should ever be caught in a situation where, in a state of panic, s/he reaches out to just about any doctor or hospital and be taken for a ride. Here, we would be equipped with a panel of tried-and-tested medical practitioners and institutions with sound credentials so that never again should we find ourselves sitting on a tiger we can neither ride nor get off. We can be assured of better treatment and maybe, even earn a discount on costs!
So submit your list, either to Ramila-ben, or by simply clicking Comments below. Last date for submission, July 31.
--Big Laaf

Recommendations:
We have 3 trusted names to suggest:
i) Cardiac: Dr DHRUMAN DESAI,
Bharatiya Arogya Nidhi/ Sunflower Hospital (Juhu-Vile Parle),
Mob No: 98200 29098
ii) ENT: Dr CARLTON D PAREIRA,
Sunflower Hospital (Juhu-Vile Parle), Mob No: 98196 43240
iii) Dentistry: Dr VAISHALI, CERAMCO DENTAL CLINIC (Lokhandwala Mkt), Tel: 2638 5842/ 2638 5843
Mrs Bhaswati Bose

Opinion Divided

Today is Yusuf Rassiwala’s (see pic) birthday. As he did not come this morning, let us wish him many, many happy returns of the day through this blog. May he have a long and healthy and prosperous life.
Rane raised the issue of whether we should be celebrating members’ birthdays at all. “Birthdays bhool jaao,” he opined. Nafisa concurred and seconded the idea. Many heard them in the course of our exercises, but chose to keep quiet. And therein hangs a tale.
For quite some time now, there has been growing dissent over the manner birthdays are celebrated in the Club. From a time when laddoos and toffees were distributed we moved to phapra-jalebi birthdays and then graduated to giving away Vyanjan packets and now, we often end up having sit-down lunches at restaurants. Even ‘outsiders’ are partaking in them. According to some members, all this is an avoidable extravagance.
On the other hand, there is the standard argument that nobody is holding a gun to your head to celebrate your birthday. It is purely voluntary and optional. For several members (particularly the ladies) the Club provides the only opportunity for socializing outside home and celebrating birthdays is just one way for asserting a sense of belongingness. Besides, it is a way of ‘giving back’ to the Club, after having enjoyed the goodies from other members’ birthdays during a year.
Now, there can be pros and cons to both arguments. But really, it is pointless turning this into a contentious issue – so long as nobody feels pressurized. This would negate the very spirit of observing birthdays. After all, it is in our nature to wish one another well, birthdays or no birthdays and all the world’s phapra-jalebis notwithstanding.
--Big Laaf

Hasya Rahasya

Some day, somebody should do a serious study on how we laugh at the Club. It would be quite an eye-opener. For each one of us has a distinctive style. We don’t laugh the same way. Shekhawat does a robust “Eeeeeeyah…haw-haw-haw haw” while Rane lets out a peculiar squeal, followed by whoops of joy. Arora simply says “Huh”. Bose laughs like a demented hyena in heat and Hari-bhai makes polite “Aah-Aah-Aah” sounds to himself.
Then there are those who are musically inclined. Nahi Khan’s laughter is in tune with the song playing in her ear plugs. Nafisa normally laughs off-key as she leisurely goes Ha-ha-(yawn)-ha-ha-ha (yawn)… at her own pace. Grover laughs at a nasal C-minor sharp. In contrast, Dilip’s laughter is at a bold A-major. And his brother, Kishor, who is as versatile as Kishore Kumar, can mimic anybody – even Shekhawat-ji.
With no offence meant to anybody, there are occasional growls and grunts to contend with also. Many of us have often stopped mid-way through a laugh, startled by noises from a friend blissfully chuckling away close by. Some could be doing this on purpose to irritate (or entertain). But it is in our unguarded moments that we tend to reveal our inner character from the way we laugh. So is it said. For instance, a cagey person can never let out a full-bellied laughter. Likewise, a boisterous, happy-go-lucky fellow would die a million deaths if asked to stop at a giggle.
But then, who cares!
--Big Laaf
Basushree says:
Hyena in heat was hilarious!
--Basushree

Welcome Diversion

The music system was re-introduced today to cheer members up. In the confines of the Chinese Hut, the tonal quality of our usual vintage film songs could be better appreciated (than when they used to be played out in the open Garden). Shekhawat-ji was naturally in his elements and with the Babani brothers, Kishor and Dilip matching steps with him at times, the laughter and exercise rounds were suitably punctuated by light banter and frolic.
Arora-ji joined in, minus umbrella. Last Sunday, it seems he had over-indulged himself in the afternoon, which resulted in his BP shooting up to an alarming level. Mercifully, he is hale and hearty now – back to his jovial self.
Geeta-ji, who is back from the Jagannath Rath Yatra at Puri, had some interesting stories to recount on the ceremonies and rituals held there. She is a devout follower of Lord Jagannath (an abstraction of Lord Krishna) and more than that, a brilliant raconteur. Skillfully drawing upon mythology and folklore, she held us spellbound for a good quarter-hour with her narration of how certain religious practices could be traced to age-old beliefs and the customs of aboriginal Odhiyas.
It was an illuminating discourse – a welcome diversion from our morning routine.
--Big Laaf
Anonymous says:
I would like to exchange links with your site biglaaf.blogspot.com. Is this possible?
--Anonymous
Big Laaf replies:
Sure. But please elaborate. Besides, who are you???
--Big Laaf
Anonymous says:
Nice dispatch. This entry helped me a lot in my college assignment. Thank you on your information.
--Anonymous

Numbers Game

Very pleasant morning. No rain, no sunshine. Just overcast skies. And a gentle breeze to uplift the spirits. Yet, attendance was poor. By the time the exercise round was to begin, there were only nine of us – 5 men and 4 women.
Mumtaz (see pic) complained that the ladies felt outnumbered. Just then Zarina walked in and brought about a balance in the numbers. After some time, Sitaram ambled in and once again Mumtaz complained. Shekhawat, who was clearly enjoying himself, declared that men would have the upper hand today.
Before long, a confused-looking Kiran Sajjan walked in to a rousing welcome from all the ladies. Shekhawat got busy on his cell-phone. From nowhere, Motwani materialized. The balance was again tipped in favour of the men.
By now, everybody’s eyes were fixed at the gate. But Shekhawat, with a mischievous glint in his eyes, kept assuring Mumtaz not to worry. The balance would be restored. And sure enough, just before resuming the laughter round, his wife strode in. The ladies broke into jubilant claps and she was accorded pride of place next to her husband.
Final tally: Seven all!
--Big Laaf

Dear Friends,
Thanks for your concern about my health. I have recovered fully and joined our laughter club.
--S.V.Arora

Limping Back to Normalcy

The Club is slowly limping back to normalcy. The laughter round was resumed for the first time since Mrs Sharma’s untimely demise last Thursday. Still, a majority of our regulars (including Yusuf-bhai, Monthi, Razia Khan, Geeta and Ramila Mistry) stayed away. Today was Bhaswati’s birthday, but nobody was in a mood to celebrate. We just wished her well, before dispersing for the day.
The baithak organized by the Sharma family at the Garden last evening came in for high praise. It was a sombre ceremony, marked by grace and dignity, befitting the lady in whose memory it was held. The Club was present in full strength. All members got the opportunity to pay their last respects by way of floral tributes to a framed photograph of Mrs Sharma, while live devotional music played in the background. It was soothing to the ear, stimulating to the senses and touching to the heart.
Arora-ji’s health (see pic) has become a cause for concern as one hears of his BP having shot to an incredible 310 mmHg yesterday. He needs to de-stress completely.

Oddballs Galore!

Today, a bespectacled sylph-like apparition in salwar-kameez interrupted our exercise session and started demonstrating how we should be doing what we were doing. She struck a strange Nataraja pose, before Arora-ji’s folded hands and a request to leave us alone banished her from the scene. Her arrival was as sudden as her departure.
The Garden attracts all kinds of oddballs every morning. A number of them can be seen muttering to themselves, while counting beads of a rosary. One gentleman imagines himself to be an army general as he does his rounds with a baton in hand. A pot-bellied hunchback makes obscene grunts and groans while walking. Yet another screams like a frightened animal while clearing his throat in the Chinese Hut. A drunk in spotless white kurta-pajama, unfailingly totters in to eye the women in the Garden. There is also this madcap broken-tooth Madrasi who insists on hitting and poking you on the pretext of a handshake.
It takes all types to make this world. But then, who are we to complain? All those who observe us every morning laughing our lungs out for no apparent reason must have concluded that we are all terminally deranged -- without a hope in hell. Each unto his own!
--Big Laaf

In Memoriam

A pall of gloom has settled over the Club. Although declared an off-day, we assembled as usual this morning for what turned out to be an impromptu condolence meeting. It seemed as though the entire Garden was mourning the passing away of Mrs Sharma (see pic). Even the otherwise restless mynahs, crows and sparrows in the garden were unusually quiet today. The air was still. It was cloudy, but did not rain.
A two-minute silence was observed in the memory of the departed soul, after which Shekhawat-ji delivered an impassioned speech on the inevitability of death and urged all members to bond together as one family, sinking all differences and ill-feelings while moving on in life. However, all birthday celebrations, get-togethers and parties scheduled for the month have been suspended.
Last evening, Shekhawat, Arora, Yusuf-bhai, Sitaram, Rane, Bhatt and Dilip, among others, accompanied Mrs Sharma's body on its final journey, to Oshiwara Crematorium. Mr Sharma, who had rushed back from Delhi, could barely spend an hour with his wife before she was taken away for the last rites. He was completely disoriented, overwhelmed by the enormity of the situation.
There is some loose talk and conflicting opinions floating around on how the tragedy could have been averted, but all that is irrelevant. Fact is, we will never get Mrs Sharma back. She belonged to us, collectively and individually. And now she has been snatched away, for ever.
The baithak, in her honour, has been scheduled for Sunday, July 18, at 4.00pm at the Sharma residence: D-4, 403 Krishna-Kaveri, Yamuna Nagar, Andheri (West), Mumbai – 400 053.
P.S. In anticipation of a heavy turnout, the venue of the baithak has now been shifted to Lokhandwala Garden No 4. The date and time remain unchanged.

Dark Day

We shall not be seeing Mrs Pramila Sharma any more. She was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and passed away today after a brief but valiant battle with the dreaded disease. She breathed her last in the early hours of the morning.
Mrs Sharma (along with her husband) was among the founding members of the Club and had been regularly conducting our exercises in the Garden, till the family had to relocate for some time to Delhi last year. Always lively and cheerful, she presented a picture of an young-at-heart vivaciousness that comes with inner peace and contentment. She and her husband took part in all the activities of the Club – even joining us for our last picnic on June 20. Now we shall all be missing her.
What else can one say, but join Mr Sharma in grief and pray that the family copes with this tragedy with strength and fortitude? May her soul rest in peace.

Point to Ponder

Arun Patil raised a pertinent issue today. He has observed over the past few picnics that some members (particularly elderly ladies) have been taking needless risks doing the rain dance, while in the swimming pool or by loitering away in the wilderness without informing anybody. During the last picnic at Kalyani Village Resort on June 20, a major accident was averted when he rescued a senior lady member from drowning. She had slipped on the floor of the swimming pool and being an osteoporosis patient, could not hold her balance. Luckily he was close-by and could save her life.
While appealing to all members to behave in a responsible manner, Arun-bhai suggested formulating a ‘code of conduct’ before venturing out on a picnic. This would not only reduce the chances of an untoward incident, but also protect the organizers of the picnic from all legal consequences arising from a mishap. After all, in such an situation, the law demands fixing of responsibility. He even suggested obtaining a signed undertaking from every member stating categorically that he/she would be proceeding on the picnic on his/her own free will and that nobody is answerable for his/her conduct and safe return. Effectively this would absolve everybody from any criminal culpability arising in the event of an accident.
Now, none of this sounds good. But maybe, this is necessary. Maybe not. Imagine someone who has a personal score to settle with you, joining the picnic. You are waylaid at the resort and suddenly this “someone” dunks you at the deep end of the pool. Does s/he go scot free, just because you have entrusted your fate to God by signing an undertaking? Who will sign such an undertaking anyway? Does this mean picnics be stopped? Or is there a better way to go around this? Think about it. And do post your comments.
--Big Laaf

Romancing the Rain

Arora is back. So is Bhatt. And Mumtaz, apart from the usual suspects – Shekhawat, Santosh, Nahi Khan, Grover, Rane, Razia, Bose… each braving the ferocious morning downpour to keep his/her appointment with the Club.
Anticipating low attendance, Arora withheld his customary distribution of chocolates till tomorrow. He returned from Singapore on Saturday, but had to dash to Indore for a couple of days to attend the last rites of an elderly relative there. It was a family obligation, he said.
Bhatt was down with viral fever for close to a fortnight. He looks considerably weak and chose to sit quietly in a corner, watching us all exercise. No sooner had he recovered last week than his wife fell ill. That had prevented him from stirring out of his house all these days.
Exercising while it rains camels and elephants in the Garden has its special charm. For one, you don’t sweat. For another, the relentless trundle of raindrops on the roof of our Chinese Hut sets a magical rhythm, while you silently go through your paces. You are one with nature as the lush greenery around glistens through the monsoon haze – a visual treat, rarely experienced in a city.
It was a wet, but enjoyable morning.
--Big Laaf

Tale of Woe

Shekhawat-ji was at least right about the dog biting Hari-bhai (see pic). The latter insisted on narrating his tale of woe, unmindful of the solemn presence of Sharma-ji (who informed that the chemo cycles had begun for his wife). Maybe, Hari-bhai was unaware of the gravity of the situation as he had not been coming to the Garden all these days. He kept exclaiming: “Kuttey ne kata aur mera 3,000 rupya kha gaya!”
About a fortnight back, Hari-bhai was on his way to pick up some “vegetarian food at McDonalds” in Lokhandwala Market when a stray dog attacked him in front of Food Inn. It bit him on his right shin and ankle, drawing blood. In panic, Hari-bhai rushed to the first doctor in sight, who dismissed him after giving some first aid. Next morning, he visited Dr Deshpande and was put through the ordeal of five anti-rabies injections that cost him Rs 379 each. An extra Rs 100 went into administering each injection. Plus, there were expenses on a course of antibiotics and dressing the wounds.
Now Hari-bhai is fit and fine, but he cannot forgive the dog for “eating up” his Rs 3,000!
--Big Laaf

Like Old Times

The weather gods were kind today. The skies had cleared and many members who could not make it (for one reason or the other) to the Club all these days, marked their presence. With an almost full house, it seemed like old times.
Yusuf-bhai’s return was greeted with a round of applause and comments of “Eid ka Chand” coming up. Santosh-ji promptly interjected with a correction: “Amaavas ka Chand”! Amidst all the bonhomie and light banter, Yusuf-bhai was back to conducting the exercise session. His is the voice of reason in our group and his presence raises the spirits of members – much as Kishor-bhai could not desist from taking occasional digs at him: “Jai Ho Topiwale Pandurang Baba”!
For Mrs Neelam Garg (see pic) too, it was a home-coming of sorts. Back from her vacation in the U.S., she distributed sweets and narrated her experiences on the trip to eager ears. She had been across the country – from New York to Las Vegas to Orlando to California, even watching a film shoot at Hollywood… on a whistle-stop conducted tour. She landed last night and yet, appeared refreshingly upbeat with no signs of fatigue or jet lag.
All in all, with so much of positive energy, it was a nice and cheerful way to begin the day.
--Big Laaf

Entertainment Without Tax

Uneventful day. Attendance was low, following last night’s intermittent showers and heavy water-logging at some of the approach roads to the Garden. Razia, Nafisa, Geeta, Mumtaz and several other regulars were conspicuous by their absence. The men, in any case, have ceased to matter as they are outnumbered by women.
Shekhawat (see pic)made it, even as he had his appointment for a health check-up at Colaba this morning. He announced Arora’s return from Singapore this Sunday, much to everybody’s surprise and concern. Is it an emergency? Wasn’t he supposed to return on the first week of August? What has made him curtail his vacation and rush back almost a month in advance? Is his health okay?
Many even doubted whether Shekhawat had got his facts correct after what had happened yesterday over the mysterious dog-biting incident. “Maine kabhi koi galat information diya hai, kya?” he asked in mock seriousness. We all nodded, giving him a knowing smile. That was the trigger for the leg-pulling that followed with everybody joining in the merriment and laughter. It was sheer entertainment without tax.
Very good, Very good, Hey!
--Big Laaf

What Dog!

Sitaram-ji turned up today, looking hale and hearty. It seems he has to divide time between his two sons – one at Kandivli and the other, at Patliputra. Only when he stays with the latter, is he able to attend the Club in the mornings.
But that was not why had become the centre of attention for everybody today. Only yesterday, Shekhawat-ji had announced that Sitaram had, by mistake, stepped over his pet dog at night and the animal retaliated by biting the hell out of him. And here was the man, smartly dressed in khaki capris and T-shirt, grinning from ear to ear – as though nothing had happened.
Finally, somebody asked, politely, where his dog had bitten him.
“Kaunsa kutta?” he snapped.
“Aapko koi kutta ne nahin kata?” we persisted.
“Koi kutta ne nahin kata!” By now, he had understood that the joke was on him and looked in the direction of Shekhawat-ji, laughing.
“Magar, kabhi toh kutte ne kata hoga,” Shekhawat-ji insisted, determined to prove that Sitaram had indeed been bitten by a dog. That was enough for everybody to burst into laughter.
Monthi-ji had the last say: “Bachpan mein kata hoga!!!”
--Big Laaf

Please note, I am reaching back this Sunday morning. Hope to see all of you in the garden on Sunday/Monday.
--S.V.Arora
July 8, 2010 5:28 AM

Please bring an imported TV for Mr Hari Narayani. Thanks and have a safe trip home.
Kishor Babani to S.V.Arora
July 8, 2010 8:18 AM

Change of Guard?

Perhaps, it’s time for a change of guard in the Club. We need at least a couple of new volunteers to stand-by in the absence of the regulars who have been conducting the exercises. Yusuf-bhai rarely shows up these days. Sitaram-ji’s visits have become equally erratic. Sharma-ji cannot come because of his wife’s indisposition. Arora-ji is away on vacation. Even the ladies – Nahi Khan and Razia-ji – did not come on time this morning to initiate the proceedings. It was therefore left to Shekhawat-ji (who else?) to take charge and for once, officiate as the master of ceremonies.
Not that anybody complained. On the contrary, it was a welcome relief from the regimented, military-style routine we have been used to – what with all the mix-ups on counting (backwards and forth), sequencing of the exercises and of course, Shekhawat-ji’s inimitable “Eeeee-haw” laughter covering up for the lapses.
In a sense, it was his day all the way, starting with his hilarious explanation for carrying the huge multi-coloured garden umbrella in the rains. And then it was his announcement of Sitaram-ji and Hari-bhai being bitten by dogs (old news, apparently). Finally, came his appeal to members to have their passports ready should they be interested in joining him on an overseas trip sometime next year. (The provocation were the chocolates Bhaswati was distributing upon her return from a trip to Paris and Venice.) The time and destination would be decided by common consensus. When Bose listed the pros and cons of travelling in a large group and suggested that instead, two or three families could join hands and set out together, Shekhawat-ji suddenly decided to drop the idea. “Tour cancelled,” he announced, in all finality.
--Big Laaf

Winged Visitor

Our blog is back. And to mark the occasion, we had a special visitor this morning – a curious crow which headed straight into our Chinese Hut (the shed where we exercise when it rains), hit the blades of an overhead fan and dropped on the floor in a crumpled heap, obviously too stunned to move.
We had already surmised it was dead. Mumtaz-ji rushed to its aid and moved it to an airy position where it could breathe its last with ease. Somebody suggested putting a few drops of water into its beak. Others condoled the “untimely death” with snide remarks of the poor crow’s “expiry date” and “cerebral hemorrhage”. Geeta-ji wanted to inform the Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital. The rest of us just blinked, too shocked and horrified to react.
In time, as the exercises progressed, the crow began to show the initial stirrings of life. Then it shook itself vigorously and sat up, staring beady-eyed at us. Dilip-bhai wanted to let go the fellow, to join its avian friends, but was promptly prevented. “Insani haath lag gayi hai,” warned Razia-ji. Apparently, other crows would maul and peck it to death since human hands had touched it! Since many of us hadn’t heard of such a bizarre cannibalistic practice among birds, Dilip-bhai demanded if this was written anywhere. But Shekhawat-ji had to intervene and we let matters pass – so long as the damn crow was alive!
Moral of the story: If you’ve got wings and go “Caw Caw”, don’t even think of entering our club.
--Big Laaf
P.S.: Those of you still curious about learning the A B C D E of the last post, here’s how it goes: A = Friendship; B = Family; C = Money; D = Work; E = Love.
Now try this out on your friends and have a good laugh!