Life’s Lessons

Amidst all the crackpot jokes and mindless chatter that went on yesterday, who would have imagined that Nahid Khan (right) was all along in immense pain while conducting the exercises? Hers is a lesson for all of us who tend to oversleep in the morning and avoid getting into the Garden on one pretext or the other.
It turns out that Nahid was at Jogeshwari day-before evening, trying to board a bus home, when another bus swerved round the bend at high speed taking her off-balance. She fell into a ditch, thereby being saved from getting run over. But she hurt herself badly and returned home thoroughly shattered, with bruises on both her knees and arms.
Anybody in her place would have skipped going to the Garden the following morning, let alone exercise. But in Nahid Khan’s scheme of things, this would have only aggravated her condition, both physically and mentally. She needed to get over the trauma quickly and more importantly, not break her daily routine. She went through the drill uncomplainingly, not letting anybody know of the agony she was in. Only this morning did she make a casual mention about it.
Now, here is a woman who, till five years back, led a cloistered life and by her own admission, “knew nothing of the world outside home”. Upon her husband passing away, she ventured out and in time, discovered what it takes to keep fit by attending the Laughing Club every morning. “Had I broken this routine and allowed the memory of the accident to get the better of me, I would probably be bed-ridden now,” she reasoned.
Meanwhile, we have Rane-bhau (left) back this morning, reporting for the exercises after 12 days. He was away for Dussehra at his village in Sindhudurg, where the family deity is worshipped amidst much fanfare. This has also been an occasion for him to reconnect with old friends and relatives.

Renu Babani says:
Yes, Mrs Khan is a courageous woman and a good example to everyone. She is always so cheerful and while she conducts the exercises, her earphones entertain her with music of her own choice. During the exercises, when she sees members getting too distracted, she interrupts sternly with 'Baatein kam kaam zaayda!' and everyone pays heed but for a while. I guess everyone has their own way of dealing with various situations in their respective lives. We do like to share our experiences with one another. It helps us feel better and makes things easier too.
--Renu