Picnic Cancelled

Chokhi Dhani has gone the Goa way. After a week of hectic behind-the-scenes coaxing and cajoling, Shekhawat-ji had to finally bring a closure to the picnic plans for January 8. In view of the lukewarm response from members and consequently, the estimated costs mounting to Rs 900 per head, it was felt best to abandon the idea.
The unfortunate part is that those who had brought up the Chokhi Dhani subject (in lieu of a New Year bash in the Chinese Hut), backed out at the last minute. Many had stopped coming to the Garden. Some, who were committed till yesterday, became scarce today. Nevertheless, Shekhawat-ji did not lose heart and made a last ditch effort at persuading Mumtaz Jahan and Razia Khan to join. He even stopped Vasudev Bhateja on the walking track, hoping to rope him in. But it was all in vain.
Monthi Serrao (right) came up with a good suggestion: “In future, whoever puts a proposal for a picnic, let him or her do the organizing.” Obviously, all the planning and preparations of a week getting ultimately frustrated, have not gone down well with many. Shekhawat-ji himself wants to be dissociated from Club picnics henceforth... but is also talking of taking a small group of select members to Goa.
Meanwhile, on a lighter note, we had Kumar Inder (of the Yoga Group) keeping the New Year spirit alive by distributing mithai boxes in the Garden. Actually he had invited us yesterday morning after the exercises, but was himself late to arrive. At that time we had no clue what his celebration was about and oddly enough, Shekhawat-ji tried to cover up for him by saying, “Unke potey ka janamdin hai!”
Today, the truth was out. Kumar-sah’b revealed that he had literally landed in deep shit and the boxes are to celebrate his “new life”. He had gone to use the toilet in the far end of the Garden and it was an “Indian commode” and the door bolted on him and somehow, he lost his balance and fell and could not extricate himself... Imagining the worst, he was quaking in fear till a kind-hearted gentleman with a weak bladder came to his rescue and took him to hospital!
Who knows how many thanksgiving pujas Kumar-sah’b must have performed and the number of crows he has fed outside the Garden gate before handing us the Anupam sweet boxes. But here he is on the left (in spectacles) with his well-wishers. Let us join them in wishing him a long and healthy life – such that he never has to use that bloody Indian toilet ever again.
All’s well that ends well.

Renu Babani says:
Anyone mentioning going on a picnic next time should take the initiative of planning and organising. It is easier said than done -- considering that those instigating it back out at the end. It is understandable that we all have certain commitments; but please do not put others in the bind and then walk away. It is not fair to just say something and then leave it on one person to handle everything just because s/he is a kind soul and gets taken in easily. We are here to help one another and not take undue advantage of each other. So let's be considerate in the future.
--Renu

Bhaswati Bose says:
You are absolutely right, Renu. Because of some fickle-minded members, the rest of us are being taken for a ride. Anyway, we should forget going to Chokhi Dhani. It is jinxed.
--Bhaswati