Comings and Goings

A day of comings and goings – and mass absenteeism. Probably the week-end Holi festivities had something to do with this. Only 15 members, mostly men, showed up in the morning. Even Nahid Khan and Kishor Babani did not turn up. As a result, Bapu Rane and Srichand Arora (in spite of a slip-disc problem and nasty cough) conducted the exercises today.
But we had some interesting visitors. A frail lady in white (right), bent double with age and barely able to hold herself without support, joined us during the laughter round and to our utter disbelief, went through all the motions sportingly. True, we had to slow down a bit because of her, but we all marveled at her never-say-die spirit – especially during some of the tougher exercises requiring bending, clearing the lungs and the lion and lioness laugh. After the final claps, Shekhawat-ji went up to her and touched her feet out of respect.
The other new ‘entrant’ today was Gopvinita (below, right). We have known her all along as Geeta Sardana, but after her formal initiation (appropriately, deeksha) into the ISKCON order yesterday, she is now another person with a different identity. “You may call me Vinita if you like," she declared, displaying the new tulsi mala (sacred basil) around her neck. However, Arora-sah’b refused to buy that. “Hum toh aapko Maate-ji hi bulayenge,” he said with folded hands for the nth time.
Gopvinita has been an ardent devotee of Lord Krishna for years, abiding by the strictures her faith demands, including strict abstinence from garlic and onions in her food. So she will not really have to make any life-altering adjustments now (there’s yet another deeksha coming up, she says) to the extent, she would retain her original name in her passport, voter’s ID card and other documents for legal purposes.
Today also happened to be Razia Khan’s (left) last day at the Garden before she leaves for the U.S. on a two-month holiday. She dropped by with her son to take leave, pleading (in jest) that Shekhawat-ji should not terminate her membership. We wish her a safe journey and a happy stay at San Francisco.
Renu Babani says:
Yes, the after-effects of the Holi party at the Garden did show up this morning. I was unable to get up and decided to take it easy. However, the memories will remain etched in my mind for a long time to come.
I guess we do have different people coming and going, joining in the exercises and then disappearing after a few days. However, it is interesting to meet different people as well.
Hopefully I shall be back at the Garden Tuesday morning and get back to the routine... Enough of rest!
--Renu