Return of the 'Native'

Hari Singh Shekhawat is back. Belying all apprehensions of a relapse of his ‘depression syndrome’, he walked in smiling, holding aloft his multi-coloured umbrella to the early morning drizzle. He took part in the exercises from start-to-finish, joined in the jokes’ session (right) and enquired about those who did phunti during his absence. Kishor Babani updated him and added that we all were waiting anxiously for him to recover and take us to Lonavala on a picnic!
Indeed, the 13-day hospitalization and extended bed-rest that followed, has taken a toll on the man. He looks pulled down – weak and frail. According to him, the cause of his ailment remains a mystery and in spite of having recovered fully from chest congestion, he has been prescribed drugs that effectively put him to sleep for the best part of the day. Worse, he has been steadily losing weight – from 63 kilos to 58 kilos (today) in less than a month. While Harish Wadhwa and Harbans Singh assured him that all is well so long as he felt well, he insisted on paying a visit to Bombay Hospital for a second opinion on his condition.
Meanwhile, Sitaram Hivarkar extended an invitation to all to visit his house this evening for Ganapati – before the idol is taken for gauri visarjan tomorrow. Sushma Gupta also invited everybody to her housing complex opposite the Garden gate, where a Ganapati idol has been installed. Many members joined her after the exercises to offer prayers.
Today also happened to be the birthday of Nazma Sayed (left). Although she is yet to resume exercising after the Ramzan break, let us wish her the very best on the occasion. May the Almighty relieve her of her arthritic pain and bless her with a long and happy and fruitful life.
Harish Wadhwa:
Welcome to our dear Shekhawat-ji, the pillar of our Club. I am sure that with each passing day, he will not just regain his weight, but will start the "announcement" sessions, which we have been missing for some time now. His smiling picture today speaks volumes of his enthusiasm at getting back to normalcy.
Many happy returns of the day, Nazma-ji, for turning 21 again today! May you too recover soon and join the group for rejuvenation exercises.
Renu Babani:
Yes, our principal is back and how! It was so good to see him. Apart from looking a bit frail, he was all set to be part of the exercise routine. Am sure he felt better after that. They say 'Laughter is the best medicine'. Besides being among friends makes a difference too. I am certain he will be back tomorrow morning and of course, start calling up members who are absent.
Wishing Najma-ji a very Happy Birthday and many more to come. I am sure she will have a wonderful day with her family.