Missed the Bus

Looks like we have missed the bus for the party at Blue Waters on June 11. After days of dilly-dallying and needless delays on our part, we have now been summarily told that the discounts negotiated with the restaurant (see post of May 23) last month are no longer valid. Had we confirmed our booking with a token advance even a few days earlier, we could perhaps have saved ourselves from being at a loose end.
Briefing Hari Singh Shekhawat (above), who had returned today from his 20-day vacation at Rajasthan, Kishor Babani said that last Saturday, when he and Srichand Arora went to confirm our booking at the restaurant, they were told that the best rate available would now be Rs409 per head. This is more than 33% higher than what was fixed earlier. In effect, the burden on paying members would increase by over 50%, given that there are barely a dozen of them and around 40 are expected to attend.
One alternative now is to scout for a restaurant that serves lunch (even if it is vegetarian) for under-Rs 266 per head. The other alternative, as suggested by Sitaram Hivarkar, is to scrap the idea entirely, return the money collected and stick to phapda-jalebi dos in the Chinese Hut. In his opinion a restaurant bash is a luxury many cannot afford and this practice is only driving a wedge in the Club by creating ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’ among members.
While Shekhawat asked for time to “manage” the situation, we had one good reason to rejoice today. It was Sunita Jajodia’s (left) birthday. Although she could not be present during the exercises this morning, the blog wishes her the very best on the occasion. We pray for her long life, peace and happiness and relief from all health-related issues. Many happy returns of the day, Sunita-ji.
Dilip Babani says:
Happy Birthday, Madam! God bless you!!!
--Dilip
Srichand Arora says:
I would suggest why not try in Sub Kuchh at Oshiwara Link Road or Panchwati in Infinity Mall. What do you all say?
--Arora