Day 384

Anna Hazare dominated conversation at the Garden this morning. A patently fun-loving and apolitical group was, for once, seized by the nation-wide uprising for the release of the septuagenarian Gandhian from jail. Everybody had an opinion on the issue. Srichand Arora wanted to move a resolution in support of the ongoing campaign. Later, we raised an extra laugh after the exercises, as a token gesture, expressing solidarity with Anna’s crusade against corruption.
Opinion was however, divided over the outcome of the present unrest. Some like Kishor Babani felt that this was just an exercise in futility and before long, everybody will forget and get back to business as usual. Public memory is after all, too short and as we all know too well, politicians are tough nuts to crack.
Optimists among us like Bose Babu were already getting a whiff of a Jasmine Revolution and felt that given the involvement of the nation’s youth equipped with mobile telephony, Twitter and various other social networking platforms and devices, this is a movement that is unprecedented and cannot be wished away easily.
On one count though, there was complete unanimity: Politicians as a breed, regardless of party affiliation, were all corrupt. But none have proved both corrupt and foolish as those currently in power. According to Harish Wadhwa, the way they have handled the situation and particularly, with a party spokesman badmouthing Anna Hazare, smacks of not only arrogance, but stupidity.
In all the venting of anger, we clean forgot to pull Kishor Babani’s leg over sighting him on TV with a group of protesters outside High Point restaurant yesterday. He insists that it was not him, but his lookalike – a humshakl. Now this should give rise to many interesting possibilities!
Says HARISH WADHWA:
* Yes, I also spotted Kishor-bhai on the TV, feasting on cheese pav-bhaaji (akele akele), near High Point in the glare of TV cameras. He however quickly tried to hide his guilt of enjoying the goodies when everyone else was talking of fasting and courting arrest...
* Kishor-bhai's Guru Gyan during the informal chai session of Badmaash Company was well accepted -- especially "Sher da Puttar" and "Unlucky Day in the Life of a Sardar".
* Dilip-bhai, where were you today at chai? Missed you.
Says DILIP BABANI:
Anna Hazare, Zindabad! God bless him. Jai Hind.
Jiyo Anna-ji, Hum Tumhare Saath Hai!
Says RENU BABANI:
Interesting, Mr Harish. I am sure my hubby was at home when you spotted him on TV. Besides, I am most certain that he would have taken me along for the goodies. The Badmaash Company seems to be having fun after the exercises, and why not. That is the time for them to be who they are and enjoy themselves. In this stressful and busy world, everyone needs that particular time to unwind and get a boost for the entire day. So why not start in the morning?
Says BHASWATI BOSE:
Every Indian should support Anna Hazare in this crusade against corruption.
HARISH WADHWA replies:
You are right, Renu-ji, as far as Badmaash Company goes. We are men after all, and no more boys! (LOL) But I did see Kishor-da standing alone, enjoying the cheese pav-bhaji, chupke chupke. By the way, I strongly suggest all members join Badmaash Company in its crusade against stress and boredom. Anna's movement will give long-term benefits, while Badmaash Company guarantees instant gratification and relief from stress. Mind it!