Last Blast

Today was the last big blast of the year for the Club. Kajal Babani celebrated her birthday together with Mrs Harbans Singh and Rane Bapu (right pic) with a fabulous assortment of phapra-jalebi, dhokla, crispy mathi and other savories from Jagruti. As expected, we had a full house. Adding to the morning delight was ‘heavenly’ halwa (prepared as kadha prasad) that Mrs Singh had brought from home, thanks to a special request from 'greedy-man' Harish Wadhwa.
In every other way, Harish-bhai played master of ceremonies as he set up his laptop and projection screen (bottom) for the announcement of last Sunday’s “mystery man” (see blog post of December 12). Out of the dozen members who had posted their guesses, only Arora-sah’b (bottom left) was absolutely spot-on at identifying YUSUF RASSIWALA (bottom right). Dilip-bhai came a close second as he dithered over Bose being a likely suspect. Harish-bhai guessed correctly at first, but revised his opinion to Shekhawat-ji at the last moment.
Strangely, Shekhawat-ji garnered the maximum number of ‘votes’, followed by Hari Naraiyani. A perspicacious Renu Babani, who is normally prompt with her comments on this blog, took three days to conclude it was Shekhawat-ji. Ramila Mistry had even “seen” the photograph among Shekhawat-ji’s personal collection of childhood pictures. And what would you say of Monthi-ji and Geeta Sandana who zeroed in on Rane Bapu because “in those days” Maharashtrians used to sport Dev Anand's puffed hairstyle?
But the best had to come from Dilip-bhai. At one point he was so confused that he began confusing everybody by saying that the photograph was not even that of a man! (Mrs Singh got so taken in that she wanted to know if it was a chhakka.) But Dilip-bhai had his theory: Bose had taken a female’s picture, touched it up on the computer, added a man’s hairstyle, somebody else's moustache and is now making ullu out of everybody. “You cannot put anything beyond Bose,” he argued in all seriousness. “He even turned me into a bhoot last-to-last Sunday!”
Amidst all the hilarity, the most touching moment came towards the end. Everybody was leaving when Yusuf-bhai went up to Rane Bapu to thank him and wish him a long and happy life. “This must be your best birthday celebration,” he remarked light-heartedly. Rane looked up, eyes glistening in tears. “I am one year short of 70,” he replied in a choked voice while trying hard to focus at the distance.
Maybe, he should have brought his family today.

Bhaswati Bose says:
Hope this won't be the last blast of the year. We are looking forward to the movie next week. Yusuf-bhai will finalise the date tomorrow. The birthday celebrations were indeed hatkey this time, what with the show on the big screen, the declaration of the winners and the prize distribution ceremony. All thanks to Harish-bhai. Also Mrs Singh, thank you for the home-made halwa... It was yummmmmmy!
--Bhaswati

Renu Babani says:
Today was a blast and the Chinese Hut was abuzz with the constant chattering and laughter. I am sure the outsiders must have been really curious. The picnic is yet on the agenda; so let's hope it does materialise this time. I guess it is going to take place some time in January -- something to look forward to in the New Year. Just a few more weeks to go this year. Let's make the most of it and enjoy our time together. Who knows what tomorrow holds!
--Renu