Day 383

The Independence Day hangover had taken its toll as Sitaram Hivarkar, Santosh Tyagi, Bapu Rane, Sunita Jajodia, Harish Wadhwa, Dilip Babani and several other key members went missing this morning. Taking advantage of the extended week-end, many had gone off to the hills or to their home town for a brief vacation. Some are yet to recover from heavy partying and the many public functions that lasted till late last night. Others chose to simply sleep it over.
However, Hari Singh Shekhawat’s (right) absence became a subject of some discussion since many were not aware that he had been discharged from hospital the day-before evening. He was being treated for acute chest congestion from August 4 (see post of Day 371) at INHS Asvini, Colaba, the cause of which is still not clear. According to Shekhawat, he has been prescribed a six-month course of anti-biotics and his condition will be monitored periodically – for which he would have to visit the hospital at least once every month.
The good news is that he has found some relief from the frequent bouts of coughing he had been suffering from and as he says, things are presently “under control”. But he sounded a very worried man and complained of severe weakness. He said he would try to venture out to the Garden after a week or so, should he feel up to it. The doctors have anyway advised him complete bed rest. We can only hope and pray that he gets well soon and regains his confidence. Everyone in the Club misses him.
Says RENU BABANI:
This morning the members trickled in slowly. Guess the long week-end proved to have its side-effects. Regarding Mr Shekhawat, it is good he is back home and out of danger. However, best to stay indoors at this point as his immune system must be weak, thus making him vulnerable to other bacteria/virus. Let's all wish him a speedy recovery and hope he doesn't rush to the Garden till he feels strong enough to do so. Strange how much we miss the regular members and though they are not mentioned regularly, in our hearts we do remember them. Let's hope that tomorrow is a better day and our regulars do attend. Mrs Bose: Look who is the lazy bum now!
Says HARISH WADHWA:
It seems you all benefitted from Kishor-da's Guru Gyan and jokes while all the absentees missed the fun. Guru-ji, keep some masala for us as well.
My sincere and heartfelt good wishes for an early recovery of our dear Shekhawat-ji. May he (and other members of the Club) affected by the monsoon changes recover soon and join the morning refresher exercises.
Says DILIP BABANI:
I wish the pillar of Laughing Club, my dear Shekhawat-ji becomes alright quickly. May God bless him. We are missing him a lot. We are missing his lovely comments and dances and announcements and his lovely goli marna style of laughter exercise.