Critical Mass

Our picnic group has gathered the ‘critical mass’ necessary for making a success of the trip to Harshgiri this Sunday. In Shekhawat-ji’s estimate, any number less than 35 in a 52-seater bus could raise the per-head cost for the picnic beyond affordable limits. Now that at least 40 members would be making it, not only would the three-hour journey be comfortable (with a dozen-odd seats to spare about), some money could also be returned out of the Rs600 collected from each member.
Amid the usual excitement that precedes every picnic, demands from members have started piling up. While some would like to have packed breakfast in the bus (as was made available on the Lonavala trip last September), others are content with just tea and biscuits before taking off. A few are suggesting that the option of stopping the bus midway for light refreshments be kept open. In any case, breakfast would be awaiting us at the resort from 9:30 a.m. onwards.
For Khatoon Baig (left) though, food is not so much of a concern as the provision of bottled aerated water. Moreover, because of a nagging back ailment, she has requested for a “comfortable” seat in the bus. Nazma Sayed (below, right) is anxious to know if a front seat can be allotted to her in advance, as she has a mobility issue. Mumtaz Jahan too has made a similar request, preferably next to the window. In fact, the demand for window seats has been coming from several quarters and all Shekhawat-ji can commit himself to, as of now, is reserving the first three rows in the bus for the “special cases”.
Meanwhile, what has gone unnoticed are some key members who would not be able to join us. Among them are seniors like Hari Naraiyani, Pratap Bhatt and Prakash Motwani. Bapu Rane has to leave for his village in Sindhudurg the very next day (March 14) and has excused himself. Sunita Jajodia and Kiran Sajjan are already out-of-station. Most significantly, one of our Club’s founder members, Srichand Arora and his wife, Kiran will be conspicuous by their absence and shall be missed by all.
Renu Babani says:
Yes, the picnic is the main topic on a daily basis. Mr Shekawat is yet aiming for more members/guests and looks like we are going to be great in numbers. As usual, we shall make the most of the picnic like we always do and it will be fun. We haven't been for a day picnic for a while now, so maybe that is the reason everyone is awaiting this day. For those who are unable to attend, they shall be missed. But I guess everyone has their own personal commitments.
So let's go make the most of it!
--Renu