“Poor and Illiterate”

We escaped the rains by the skin of our teeth. We wrapped up the exercises in record time, raced through the 108-claps, hit the big-fives on the run and prayed to the sun god (pic alongside) to emerge from the clouds. It did not. Instead, it poured like hell.
Were we delayed by another minute, we would have been drenched beyond recognition. No wonder, Sitaram Hivarkar was in a tearing hurry at winding up the exercises and got irritated every time there was a distraction. He kept scowling at Bapu Rane, who was in a particularly playful mood this morning as he joked, mimicked others and needlessly brought up issues of political corruption during exercising. Even the so-called 'Neelam Exercise' had become a distraction. So when Razia Khan suggested a minor variation over it, Sitaram suddenly stopped conducting and implored with folded hands in his military English: “We are poor and illiterate people in these matters. You please guide us!”
What made Sitaram say that shall not be known, but it was surely the quotable-quote of the day. And lest Razia should take offence, Bapu Rane promptly diffused the tension, quipping: “Karo, ya na-karo, koi farak nahi padne wala.”
Whatever may be the outcome of this banter, one fact remains eminently clear: Life at the Garden is fast getting back on track – even as the monsoon persists. One major reason could be the return of Hari Singh Shekhawat (left). He is calling up members every day, ensuring their presence at the Garden. He has also resumed his famous 'siren calls'. He does the goli-marna act with aplomb. He looks to be in fine fettle. Very soon, he should start his daily ‘announcements’. Most importantly, he is lining up a picnic at Lonavala for October 15 and 16. Watch this space.