Flash Point

Matters reached a flashpoint on an otherwise pleasant morning when Nahid Khan (below, left) suddenly found herself at the receiving end for conducting the exercises. A group of belligerent ladies, led by Mumtaz Jahan and Khatoon Baig charged her with rushing through the exercises and complained to Shekhawat-ji in as many words. Later, Sitaram-ji joined them, while other men, including Bapu Rane and Tara Chand-ji defended Nahid.
Now, this is not the first time someone has been accused of being in a tearing hurry while conducting the exercises. For that matter, this is not the first time for Nahid Khan to be conducting the exercises. She has been doing so, uncomplainingly, almost every day. In fact, she is regarded as one of the most competent and dedicated “teachers” we have. Today, in the absence of any of the seniors, she took to the middle as usual and was done with the laughter and exercise rounds in normal time – neither early, nor late.
To be now suddenly faulted for pushing things so fast as to cause physical injury (“What happens if I sprain my neck?”), obviously smacks of some deep-seated prejudice. It was uncalled for. There was no necessity for saying, “Let her go her way if she’s in such a hurry, we can do without her”. Rather than be grateful to the lady for giving us her time and getting things moving every morning, we are making her feel guilty for something completely unfounded. Shekhawat-ji explained that we don’t have much choice in the matter since the seniors who conduct exercises (including Srichand Arora, Yusuf Rassiwala, Sitaram and Razia Khan) have all become irregular these days. But this scarcely resolves the issue.
Incidentally, Arora-sah’b has devised an ingenious method to preempt this situation -- to some extent at least. For the past few days, he has been pressing for a specific count on each exercise. It could be five times, or eight times, even ten times… But it had to be decided in advance by consensus, so that all the exercises get due importance without creating a feeling of being rushed or wasting time. Moreover, this would set a certain rhythm and streamline our routine. The time has come to give this counting system a serious thought.
Meanwhile, amidst all the hullabaloo, Sunita Jajodia (above) hurriedly distributed prasad from a shrine she had recently visited in Rajasthan. She did not hang around to give us the details. And we relished the sweet without asking her questions that would only have delayed her return home.
Dan Sharma says:
For an outsider, the pace of the exercises seemed normal when I had joined in. I remember it was led by a lady member. If the count system is used, it would help regularise the pace. Happy Holi!
--Dan
Renu Babani says:
Honestly, I totally agree that Mrs Khan should be appreciated for doing the exercise routine almost daily. She never complains and is always smiling. I don't see any problem in her way of exercising and neither does she rush anything. I suppose everyone has their own views, but there is a way of talking about it like grown-ups and not letting things get out of hand. There was an unnecessary heated argument this morning and remarks which could have been avoided. Let us enjoy our time together, not sit and argue when there is no reason whatsoever. Everyone has a busy schedule in the morning and there should be a time set as to when the entire exercise routine should be finished. So, no finger pointing, criticism or constant nagging, because it leads to ill-feelings and begins to cause cracks amongst the members.
--Renu
Dilip Babani says:
Yes, it is true that Nahid Khan is doing the best job. There is no problem at all. I don't know why some members just talk against her. If anybody has a problem, s/he can tell her directly rather than complain to Shekhawat-ji. All members are free to talk to one another. Since Nahid Khan never replies back, some members take her for granted. This is totally wrong. We are friends after all. Then why complain to Shekhawat-ji? Small-small things become big issues unnecessarily.
--Dilip